Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or Fort Lauderdale?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Fort Lauderdale or Fairfield?
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 Fairfield. 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 Fairfield?
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.
Fairfield
The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFort Lauderdale $182Fairfield $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Fort Lauderdale is $182, while the average daily cost in Fairfield is $131. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Fort Lauderdale and Fairfield in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFort Lauderdale $96Fairfield $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFort Lauderdale $192Fairfield $194
Compare Hotels in Fort Lauderdale and Fairfield
Looking for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale or Fairfield? 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 Fairfield Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fort Lauderdale $51Fairfield -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:
- Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Islamorada : $261
- Bimini Day Cruise from Fort Lauderdale with Round-Trip Miami Transfer: $259
- Private transfer from Port of Miami to Fort Lauderdale: $220
- Fort Lauderdale Airport(FLL) to Key Largo/ Marathon -Roundtrip Private Transfer: $218
- Transfer to Miami: $200
- Fort Myers Transfer To Fort Lauderdale Airport (UP TO 14 PASSENG): $192
- Fort Lauderdale Airport Private Transfer to Port Everglades: $160
- Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Coral Gables: $131
- Private Transfer from FLL to Port Everglades / Fort Lauderdale: $130
- Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Fort Lauderdale: $130
- Fort Lauderdale International Airport: Car Transfer to Miami: $123
- Transfer: FLL Airport to Fort Lauderdale Area Vice Versa: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Fort Lauderdale or Fairfield?
Prices for flights to both Fairfield 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 $49Fairfield $30
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.
- Food Tour in Lauderdale By The Sea: $60
- Hollywood Florida Walking Food Tour : $99
- Downtown Fort Lauderdale Dinner & Drinks Tour: $109
- Fort Lauderdale Beach Food Tour: $114
Typical Food Prices in Fairfield
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:
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El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)$17
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Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)$44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fort Lauderdale $15Fairfield $13
Tours and Activities in Fort Lauderdale
Here are a few actual costs in Fort Lauderdale for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour Interactive Pirate Cruise in Ft. Lauderdale (arrive 30 minutes early): $25
- 2 Hour Intimate Cruise for 2ppl w/ Catering - Pompano Beach: $270
- 4 Hour Waterway and Sandbar Cruise: $803
- 90-Minute Parasailing Adventure Above Fort Lauderdale, FL: $80
- 90-Minute Snorkel & Seabob Underwater Guided Reef Tour in Fort Lauderdale: $161
- Air Boat Tour of Palm Beach in The Swamp Monster: $150
- Atlantic Ocean Snorkeling Experience: $79
- Bahamas Day Cruise to Bimni: $299
- Carrie B Cruises! Beautiful and Fun THE VENICE OF AMERICA TOUR!!!: $32
- Champagne Sunset Cruise in Ft. Lauderdale: $89
- Chocolate and Dessert Tasting Tour in Fort Lauderdale Florida: $40
- Comedy Segway Tour Music Edition: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFort Lauderdale $33Fairfield -
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:
- Ft Lauderdale Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $37
- Guided Happy Hour Bar Crawl by Beer Bike: $64
- Pedibus Pub Crawl in Fort Lauderdale: $74
- Party Bike Bar Crawl: $74
Sample the Local Flavors in Fairfield
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fairfield:
- Olive Oil, Cheese, and Wine Tasting with Local Expert: $133
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fort Lauderdale and Fairfield, we can see that Fort Lauderdale is more expensive. And not only is Fairfield much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fairfield would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fairfield 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 Fairfield.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fort Lauderdale Expensive? and Is Fairfield Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Fort Lauderdale or Fairfield?
Fort Lauderdale has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Fairfield. When comparing the sizes of Fort Lauderdale and Fairfield, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale or Fairfield?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Fairfield in the Summer?
Both Fairfield and Fort Lauderdale during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Fort Lauderdale for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Fort Lauderdale is a little warmer than Fairfield in the summer. The daily temperature in Fort Lauderdale averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and Fairfield fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Fort Lauderdale. In the summer, Fort Lauderdale often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Fort Lauderdale gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in July than Fairfield. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFort Lauderdale 83°F (28°C)Fairfield 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Fairfield in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Fort Lauderdale and Fairfield. The autumn months attract visitors to Fort Lauderdale because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Fairfield. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in October average around 78°F (26°C), and Fairfield averages at about 62°F (17°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fairfield this time of the year. In Fort Lauderdale, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fort Lauderdale usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during autumn. Fort Lauderdale gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Fort Lauderdale gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFort Lauderdale 78°F (26°C)Fairfield 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Fairfield in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as Fairfield. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year.
In January, Fort Lauderdale is generally much warmer than Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 67°F (20°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fort Lauderdale this time of the year. In the winter, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Fairfield. Fort Lauderdale gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun.
Fort Lauderdale usually gets less rain in January than Fairfield. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFort Lauderdale 67°F (20°C)Fairfield 46°F (8°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Fairfield in the Spring?
Both Fairfield and Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Fairfield in the spring. The daily temperature in Fort Lauderdale averages around 75°F (24°C) in April, and Fairfield fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).
It's quite sunny in Fairfield. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during spring. Fort Lauderdale gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Fort Lauderdale gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFort Lauderdale 75°F (24°C)Fairfield 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Fairfield and Fort Lauderdale
| Fort Lauderdale | Fairfield | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Feb | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (162 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 9.4 inches (238 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 inches (194 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Nov | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Dec | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.