Which city is cheaper, Durham 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. Durham for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Fort Lauderdale or Durham?
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 Durham. 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 Durham?
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.
Durham
Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.
Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.
Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFort Lauderdale $146Durham $130
The average daily cost (per person) in Fort Lauderdale is $146, while the average daily cost in Durham is $130. 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 Durham in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFort Lauderdale $77Durham $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFort Lauderdale $154Durham $146
Compare Hotels in Fort Lauderdale and Durham
Looking for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale or Durham? 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 Durham Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fort Lauderdale $41Durham $26
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durham
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Durham:
- Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $139
- Private Transfer from Durham to Manchester Airport (MAN): $407
Is it cheaper to fly into Fort Lauderdale or Durham?
Prices for flights to both Durham 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 $39Durham $35
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 $12Durham $21
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 Durham
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Durham are as follows:
- Trolley Pub Public Tour of Durham: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFort Lauderdale $27Durham $27
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
When comparing the travel costs between Fort Lauderdale and Durham, we can see that Fort Lauderdale is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
When is the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale or Durham?
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 Durham in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fort Lauderdale and Durham. Many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Fort Lauderdale is generally around the same temperature as Durham. Temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 83°F (28°C), and Durham stays around 79°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In Fort Lauderdale, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fort Lauderdale usually receives more sunshine than Durham during summer. Fort Lauderdale gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.
Durham 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 Durham. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFort Lauderdale 83°F (28°C)Durham 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Durham in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as Durham. Many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Durham in the autumn. The temperature in Fort Lauderdale is usually 78°F (26°C) in October, and Durham stays around 61°F (16°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. 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 Durham. Fort Lauderdale gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 211 hours of full sun.
Fort Lauderdale receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in October than Durham. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFort Lauderdale 78°F (26°C)Durham 61°F (16°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Durham in the Winter?
Both Durham and Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Durham can be very cold. In the winter, Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Durham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in January are around 67°F (20°C), and Durham is about 40°F (5°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually receives more sunshine than Durham during winter. Fort Lauderdale gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Fort Lauderdale usually receives less rain than Durham. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFort Lauderdale 67°F (20°C)Durham 40°F (5°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Durham in the Spring?
Both Durham and Fort Lauderdale during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Fort Lauderdale because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Fort Lauderdale is generally much warmer than Durham. Temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 75°F (24°C), and Durham stays around 60°F (16°C).
In Durham, 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 Durham. Fort Lauderdale gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 251 hours of full sun.
Fort Lauderdale usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Durham. Fort Lauderdale gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFort Lauderdale 75°F (24°C)Durham 60°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Durham and Fort Lauderdale
| Fort Lauderdale | Durham | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Mar | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Apr | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (162 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 9.4 inches (238 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) |
| Sep | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 inches (194 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Nov | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Dec | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
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