Which city is cheaper, Columbia or Fort Lauderdale?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Fort Lauderdale vs. Columbia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Fort Lauderdale or Columbia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Fort Lauderdale and Columbia. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Fort Lauderdale or Columbia?
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida, not far from Miami, and is famous for its beaches and boating culture. An elaborate system of canals runs through the city, adding to the charm and coastal lifestyle. Plenty of restaurants, shops, watersports, and other things to do can be found here in addition to the beautiful beaches. The city is family-friendly and also caters to older travelers as well as younger generations. While it's not an inexpensive place to visit, the prices are on par with other cities in southeastern Florida. The beach is lined with high-rise condos and hotels that tend to be expensive, while a few blocks back from the shore you'll find plenty of nice houses along with shops, restaurants, and fun activities for all ages. And since Fort Lauderdale is part of the Miami metro area, you can easily get to all of the other beach areas, cities, and activities in the nearby metropolitan areas as well.
Columbia
Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFort Lauderdale $146Columbia $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Fort Lauderdale is $146, while the average daily cost in Columbia is $0.00. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Fort Lauderdale and Columbia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFort Lauderdale $77Columbia -
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFort Lauderdale $154Columbia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Fort Lauderdale and Columbia
Looking for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale or Columbia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Fort Lauderdale Hotel Prices and Columbia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fort Lauderdale $41Columbia -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:
- Transfer From Fort Lauderdale to Airport/Port: $25
- Private Airport Transfer: Fort Lauderdale Int. Airport (FLL) to Fort Lauderdale: $28
- Private Airport Transfer: Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale Int. Airport (FLL): $28
- Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami Cruise Port Transfer: $34
- Private Arrival Transfer: FLL Fort Lauderdale Airport to Fort Lauderdale City: $41
- Private Departure Transfer from Fort Lauderdale City to Fort Lauderdale Airport: $41
- Private Arrival Transfer: Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami City or Miami Beach: $55
- Transfer in Executive Private Vehicle from Fort Lauderdale City to Airport: $57
- Transfer in Executive Private Vehicle from Fort Lauderdale Airport to City: $57
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Port Everglades - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
- Port Everglades to Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $62
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Fort Lauderdale - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
Is it cheaper to fly into Fort Lauderdale or Columbia?
Prices for flights to both Columbia and Fort Lauderdale change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayFort Lauderdale $39Columbia $4.02
Typical Food prices in Fort Lauderdale
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Fort Lauderdale:
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Quick Lunch$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort Lauderdale
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Fort Lauderdale.
- All You Can Eat BBQ Dinner and Show at Tropical Isle with Sightseeing Cruise: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fort Lauderdale $12Columbia -
Tours and Activities in Fort Lauderdale
Here are a few actual costs in Fort Lauderdale for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beach Cruiser Bike Rentals in Fort Lauderdale: $11
- Fort Lauderdale Historical Walking Tour: $12
- 1-Hour Interactive Pirate Adventure Cruise in Fort Lauderdale (Family-Friendly): $23
- 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Cruises: $23
- Fort Lauderdale Daily Sightseeing Cruise - On the Venice of America: $27
- Everglades Eco Adventure: 2-Hour Sawgrass Recreation Park: $28
- Jungle Queen Sightseeing Cruise: $33
- Everglades Airboat Tour & Gator Boys Alligator Rescue Show from Fort Lauderdale: $37
- Ft Lauderdale Cocktail Cruise: $45
- Island Time Boat Cruise: $45
- 1-Hour Bike Tour of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: $47
- SUP PUP Paddleboard Tour: $47
Tours and Activities in Columbia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:
- Savannah: History & Ghosts Guided Tour with Beverage Stops: $20
- Cascade Locks: 1-Hour Columbia River Sightseeing Cruise: $50
- Portland: Columbia River Gorge 3-Hour Small Group Tour: $85
- Cascade Locks: Columbia Gorge Sunday Brunch Cruise: $94
- Portland: Columbia Gorge Flight Tour: $99
- Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFort Lauderdale $27Columbia $70
Typical Alcohol prices in Fort Lauderdale
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:
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Beer$7.30
Sample the Local Flavors in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort Lauderdale:
- Party Bike Bar Crawl: $59
Sample the Local Flavors in Columbia
Also in Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Savannah: Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fort Lauderdale and Columbia, we can see that Fort Lauderdale is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Fort Lauderdale would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fort Lauderdale than you might in Columbia.
When is the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale or Columbia?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Columbia in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fort Lauderdale and Columbia. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year.
In the summer, Fort Lauderdale is around the same temperature as Columbia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in July are around 83°F (28°C), and Columbia is about 82°F (28°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Fort Lauderdale, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fort Lauderdale usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during summer. Fort Lauderdale gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.
Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Fort Lauderdale gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Columbia. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFort Lauderdale 83°F (28°C)Columbia 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Columbia in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as Columbia. Many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Fort Lauderdale is generally a little warmer than Columbia. Temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 78°F (26°C), and Columbia stays around 64°F (18°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fort Lauderdale this time of the year. In the autumn, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Columbia. Fort Lauderdale gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun.
Fort Lauderdale receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in October than Columbia. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFort Lauderdale 78°F (26°C)Columbia 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Columbia in the Winter?
Both Columbia and Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Columbia in the winter. The temperature in Fort Lauderdale is usually 67°F (20°C) in January, and Columbia stays around 45°F (7°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually receives more sunshine than Columbia during winter. Fort Lauderdale gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Fort Lauderdale usually receives less rain than Columbia. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFort Lauderdale 67°F (20°C)Columbia 45°F (7°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Columbia in the Spring?
Both Columbia and Fort Lauderdale during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Fort Lauderdale for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Fort Lauderdale is a little warmer than Columbia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in April are around 75°F (24°C), and Columbia is about 64°F (18°C).
In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Fort Lauderdale. In the spring, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Columbia. Fort Lauderdale gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun.
Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in April than Columbia. Fort Lauderdale gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFort Lauderdale 75°F (24°C)Columbia 64°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Columbia and Fort Lauderdale
| Fort Lauderdale | Columbia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Feb | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Mar | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Apr | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (162 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 9.4 inches (238 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
| Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) |
| Sep | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 inches (194 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Nov | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Dec | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
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