Should you visit Fort Lauderdale or Las Vegas?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Fort Lauderdale and Las Vegas. 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas has long been the gambling capital of the United States. Known as "Sin City," it is a hot spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, but in recent years it has seen a dramatic increase in weddings and business conferences. It is the largest city in the state of Nevada and one of the most visited and well known cities in the country. It is located in the Mojave Desert in South Nevada and has a very arid climate with very hot and dry summers. The average high in July is 104 degrees Fahrenheit, but as many people like to say "its a dry heat." Winters are cooler and pleasant with highs around 60 degrees Fahrenheits. Snow is very rare but the surrounding mountains are often topped with snow during the winter months.
Which city is cheaper, Las Vegas or Fort Lauderdale?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Fort Lauderdale is $146, while the average daily cost in Las Vegas is $246. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Fort Lauderdale and Las Vegas in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $154 for a double occupancy room in Fort Lauderdale.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $254 for a double occupancy room in Las Vegas.
Food
Fort Lauderdale food costs typically run travelers around $39 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
While meal prices in Las Vegas can vary, the average travelers spends about $64 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Las Vegas should cost around $26 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Las Vegas is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Fort Lauderdale $39
Las Vegas $64
Typical Food prices in Fort Lauderdale
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Fort Lauderdale:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort Lauderdale
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Fort Lauderdale.
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Mai-Kai Dinner and Polynesian Show:
$47
-
All You Can Eat BBQ Dinner and Show at Tropical Isle with Sightseeing Cruise:
$60
Typical Food prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of dining costs in Las Vegas are as follows:
-
Coffee
$5.00
-
Deep Fried Twinkie
$1.07
-
Chocolate Dip Banana
$1.07
-
Gelato
$5.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Las Vegas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Las Vegas.
-
Only On The Strip Food Tour:
$79
-
The "What The Frog?" Senor Frogs Dinner Package:
$80
-
Chinatown Vegan Food Tour:
$87
-
Downtown Vegan Food Tour:
$87
-
Walking Food Tour of Downtown Las Vegas:
$99
-
Evening Walking Food Tour on the Las Vegas Strip:
$103
-
Walking Food Tour of the Las Vegas Strip:
$103
-
Fremont Street Dinner Tour with Photographer:
$129
-
Secret Food Tours Las Vegas:
$131
-
Downtown Las Vegas Food Tour by Segway:
$149
-
Wild West Sunset Horseback Ride with Dinner from Las Vegas:
$150
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Las Vegas:
$156
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Fort Lauderdale is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $41 per person, per day, on local transportation in Fort Lauderdale.
The cost of a taxi ride in Las Vegas is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $38 per person, per day, on local transportation in Las Vegas.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:
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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 Airport to City:
$57
-
Transfer in Executive Private Vehicle from Fort Lauderdale City to Airport:
$57
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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
Typical Local Transportation prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Las Vegas are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Las Vegas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Las Vegas:
-
Airport Transfer - Round Trip to or from Your Hotel:
$165
-
Arrival Private Transfer: Las Vegas Airport to Las Vegas City by Business Sedan:
$48
-
Arrival Private Transfer: Las Vegas Airport to Las Vegas city in Luxury SUV:
$59
-
Arrival Private Transfer: Las Vegas Airport to Las Vegas city in Tesla X:
$54
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Las Vegas Airport LAS to Las Vegas in Business Car:
$103
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Las Vegas Airport LAS to Las Vegas in Luxury Car:
$163
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Las Vegas Airport LAS to Las Vegas in Luxury SUV:
$149
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Las Vegas Airport LAS to Las Vegas in Luxury Van:
$141
-
Departure Private Transfer Las Vegas City to Las Vegas Airport by Business Sedan:
$48
-
Departure Private Transfer Las Vegas to Los Angeles Airport LAX by Executive SUV:
$1,818
-
Departure Private Transfer Las Vegas to Los Angeles Airport LAX by Minibus:
$1,928
-
Departure Private Transfer Las Vegas to Los Angeles Airport LAX by SUV:
$1,653
Is it cheaper to fly into Fort Lauderdale or Las Vegas?
Prices for flights to both Las Vegas 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Fort Lauderdale typically cost an average of $12 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Entertainment and activities in Las Vegas typically cost an average of $63 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Fort Lauderdale
Here are a few actual costs in Fort Lauderdale for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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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
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Fort Lauderdale Daily Sightseeing Cruise - On the Venice of America:
$27
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Everglades Eco Adventure: 2-Hour Sawgrass Recreation Park:
$28
-
Jungle Queen Sightseeing Cruise:
$29
-
Everglades Airboat Tour & Gator Boys Alligator Rescue Show from Fort Lauderdale:
$37
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Ft Lauderdale Cocktail Cruise:
$45
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Island Time Boat Cruise:
$45
-
1-Hour Bike Tour of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park:
$47
-
SUP PUP Paddleboard Tour:
$47
Typical Entertainment prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Las Vegas are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Las Vegas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Las Vegas are as follows:
-
SeaQuest Las Vegas - Single Day Passport Ticket:
$13
-
Las Vegas Natural History Museum Admission Ticket:
$14
-
Laughlin: Gambling and Shopping Tour from Las Vegas:
$14
-
Skip the Line: Springs Preserve in Las Vegas Admission Ticket:
$15
-
Haunts and The Mob Las Vegas Walking Tour:
$18
-
Axe Throwing Experience in Las Vegas:
$20
-
Las Vegas Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
-
Skip the Line: Nostalgia Street Rods Museum Ticket and Optional VIP Tour:
$21
-
The High Roller at The LINQ Ticket:
$21
-
Marc Savard Comedy Hypnosis Tickets:
$23
-
Stratosphere Tower Observation Deck Ticket:
$24
-
Boulder City Historic District Self-Guided Tour from Las Vegas:
$25
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Fort Lauderdale may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $27 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about $44 on alcoholic beverages in Las Vegas per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Typical Alcohol prices in Fort Lauderdale
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:
Sample the Local Flavors in Las Vegas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Las Vegas:
-
Zombie Burlesque Comedy Musical Show Ticket:
$49
-
Zombie Burlesque at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino:
$49
-
The Weird, Wacky and Wonderful Bar Crawl of Fremont Street:
$89
-
Las Vegas Bar Crawl:
$90
-
Las Vegas Brewery Tour by Party Bus:
$103
-
Bar Crawl On Fremont Street:
$260
-
Small Group Pahrump Wine Tasting with Death Valley Sightseeing and Stargazing:
$295
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fort Lauderdale and Las Vegas, we can see that Las Vegas is more expensive. And not only is Fort Lauderdale much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fort Lauderdale would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fort Lauderdale 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 Las Vegas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Las Vegas than you might in Fort Lauderdale.
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