A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Fort Lauderdale vs. Philadelphia for Couples, Nightlife, Families, and Food

North America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia. 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.

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is a spirited, luxury, and high energy coastal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a diverse, historic, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

How is Fort Lauderdale different from Philadelphia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Is Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia better for Food?

Both Fort Lauderdale and Philadelphia offer a number of unique restaurants to choose from.

Fort Lauderdale offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Seafood is the obvious option with popular dishes being fish tacos, sea bass, and scallop risotto.

Philadelphia has a delicious food scene that relies on local flavors. The city is famous for its Philly cheesesteak and roast pork sandwich. You can also grab some local favorites at Reading Terminal Market.


Is Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Fort Lauderdale know how to have a good time. Most people head to the beach, Las Olas Blvd, River Front and The New Hard Rock Seminole Hotel Complex for the best bars and clubs.

Philadelphia has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city's nightlife scene carries late into the night with many rooftop and outdoor beer gardens.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia better for Shopping?

Shopping in a popular activity in both Philadelphia and Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale is a great destination for shopping. For interesting local boutiques head to Las Olas Boulevard and for name brand stores you'll want to visit Sawgrass Mills Mall.

Philadelphia is well-known for its shopping. With all items tax-free, this city is a great place to shop. It has many boutique shops as well as name brand stores and shopping areas. For a local vibe, head to Reading Terminal Market.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia better for Families?

Both Fort Lauderdale and Philadelphia are family-friendly destinations.

Fort Lauderdale is a very family-friendly place to visit. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches and a number of kid-oriented activities the kids will be entertained. Fun activities include Bluefoot Pirate Adventures, Butterfly World, and Funderdome.

Philadelphia is a family-friendly coastal city. Popular activities include a zoo and Sesame Place. Kids also love the hands-on Please Touch Museum.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia better for Couples?

Fort Lauderdale offers a wider variety of romantic activities for couples than Philadelphia.

Fort Lauderdale is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Fine dining, beautiful beaches, and great shopping make for a great romantic getaway. Couples and honeymooners love relaxing at the beaches in Fort Lauderdale.

Philadelphia makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Like many large cities, this city is a fun place to explore in the evening as a couple.


Is Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia a more walkable city?

Fort Lauderdale and Philadelphia both are comparable when exploring on foot.

Fort Lauderdale is very walkable. It is one of the most walkable Florida communities with a boardwalk and several pedestrian areas that are fun to wander around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Philadelphia. The Old City is particularly walkable, as is Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.

Fort Lauderdale and Philadelphia: Pros and Cons

Fort Lauderdale
Pros
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Impressive beauty
Philadelphia
Pros
  • Family-friendly
  • Big city activities
Cons
  • Less popular with couples


Should I spend more time in Philadelphia or Fort Lauderdale?

How long in Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Fort Lauderdale and Philadelphia. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Fort Lauderdale than Philadelphia.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Fort Lauderdale is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Philadelphia is 2-3 days.


  • How many days in Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia? Ideal Length of Stay
    Fort Lauderdale 3-7 
    Philadelphia 2-3

One day in Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia?

In Fort Lauderdale, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this luxury coastal city offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Philadelphia is a big city with plenty to do. Take your pick from the many activities offered around the area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia?

Fort Lauderdale is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Philadelphia is a big city with plenty to do. A weekend here is typical. The entire area has lots to do. A weekend is often enough time to spend here.

Five days in Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia?

In Fort Lauderdale, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this luxury destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered around the area. Plenty of people spend five days here when traveling. Lots of people come for the beaches. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Philadelphia is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.


A week in Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia?

Fort Lauderdale is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire area has lots to do.

Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Philadelphia. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Which city is cheaper, Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia is $151. 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 Philadelphia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fort Lauderdale $77
    Philadelphia $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fort Lauderdale $154
    Philadelphia $190

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fort Lauderdale $41
    Philadelphia $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort Lauderdale

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:

  • Transfer in executive car from Fort Lauderdale Airport(FLL) to Miami downtown: $64
  • Transfer in Executive Private Vehicle from Fort Lauderdale City to Airport: $57
  • Transfer in Executive Private Vehicle from Fort Lauderdale Airport to City: $57
  • Transfer from Port Everglades to Miami International Airport: $130
  • Transfer from Port Everglades to Miami Beach: $130
  • Transfer from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International to Fort Lauderdale: $100
  • Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Port Of Miami: $125
  • Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Orlando: $750
  • Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami Beach: $130
  • Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami: $130
  • Transfer From Fort Lauderdale to Airport/Port: $25
  • Round-Trip Transfer in Executive Private Car from-to Airport in Fort Lauderdale: $113

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia

Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia City by SUV: $124
  • Arrival Private Transfer Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia by Limousine: $117
  • Arrival Private Transfer Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia by Minibus: $204
  • Arrival Private Transfer Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia by Minivan: $123
  • Arrival Private Transfer Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia by Sedan: $68
  • Arrival Private Transfer Philadelphia Train Station to Philadelphia by SUV: $124
  • Arrival Private Transfer Philadelphia Train Station to Philadelphia by Sedan: $68
  • Departure Private Transfer Philadelphia City to Philadelphia Airport PHL by SUV: $124
  • Departure Private Transfer Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport PHL by Limousine: $117
  • Departure Private Transfer Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport PHL by Minibus: $204
  • Departure Private Transfer Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport PHL by Minivan: $123
  • Departure Private Transfer Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport PHL by Sedan: $68

Is it cheaper to fly into Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia?

Prices for flights to both Philadelphia 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Fort Lauderdale $39
    Philadelphia $39
Typical Food prices in Fort Lauderdale

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Fort Lauderdale:


  • 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

Typical Food prices in Philadelphia

For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Casual Lunch (for 3)
    $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia

For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $44
  • Decadent Gourmet Food Tour: $44
  • Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $52
  • Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $54
  • South Philly Italian Family Dinner Tour: $75
  • Historic Food Tour: $78
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Philadelphia: $90
  • Spirit of Philadelphia Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $107
  • Secret Food Tours Philadelphia w/ Private Tour Option: $193

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fort Lauderdale $12
    Philadelphia $22

Tours and Activities in Fort Lauderdale

Here are a few actual costs in Fort Lauderdale for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 Hour Central Park Guided Electric Bike Tour: $49
  • 1-Hour Bike Tour of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: $47
  • 1-Hour Interactive Pirate Adventure Cruise in Fort Lauderdale (Family-Friendly): $23
  • 2 Hour Fort Lauderdale Guided Electric Bike Tour: $60
  • 2 Hour Venice Of America Jet Ski Adventure & Exploration Tour of Fort Lauderdale: $225
  • 3 Hour All Inclusive 007 Millionaires Row Jet Ski Adventure Fort Lauderdale: $307
  • 5-Day Miami+Key West+Palm Beach+Fort Lauderdale Tour (Miami Departure)(MIA5-A): $579
  • 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Cruises: $23
  • 90-Minute Snorkel & Seabob Underwater Guided Reef Tour in Fort Lauderdale: $139
  • Airport to Cruise Shuttle Private Group Transportation: $580
  • Beach Cruiser Bike Rentals in Fort Lauderdale: $11
  • Champagne Sunset Cruise Ft. Lauderdale: $58

Typical Entertainment prices in Philadelphia

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Big Bus Tour (family of 3)
    $99

Tours and Activities in Philadelphia

For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Philadelphia's Lost Waterfront: Explore the historic city on an audio tour: $5.00
  • Art and Controversy: An audio tour of Philadelphia's most infamous art scandals: $5.00
  • Ultimate Philadelphia Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Philadelphia Architecture: Discover Every American Style on a GPS Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Philadelphia Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Penn Museum Admission Ticket: $18
  • Philadelphia Walking Ghost Tour: $20
  • Franklin's Footsteps Walking Tour: $20
  • Skip the Line: Museum of the American Revolution Admission Ticket: $21
  • Philadelphia Historical Independence Walking Tour: $21
  • Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour: $23
  • The Franklin Institute Admission Ticket: $23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fort Lauderdale $27
    Philadelphia $17
Typical Alcohol prices in Fort Lauderdale

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:


  • 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 Philadelphia

Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Haunted Pub Crawl: $45
  • Philadelphia Prohibition Pub Crawl: $45
  • Charleston: Haunted Bar Crawl with Tarot Reading: $64
  • Sip of Philly Brewery Tour: $79

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Fort Lauderdale and Philadelphia, we can see that Philadelphia 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.

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Washington vs. Fort Lauderdale
Washington vs. Philadelphia
Clearwater vs. Fort Lauderdale
Clearwater vs. Philadelphia
Fort Lauderdale vs. Gainesville
Fort Lauderdale vs. Jacksonville
Fort Lauderdale vs. Miami
Fort Lauderdale vs. Orlando
Fort Lauderdale vs. Saint Petersburg
Fort Lauderdale vs. Tallahassee
Fort Lauderdale vs. Tampa
Fort Lauderdale vs. Atlanta
Fort Lauderdale vs. Savannah
Fort Lauderdale vs. New Orleans
Fort Lauderdale vs. Baltimore
Fort Lauderdale vs. Kansas City
Fort Lauderdale vs. Saint Louis
Fort Lauderdale vs. Asheville
Fort Lauderdale vs. Charlotte
Fort Lauderdale vs. Durham
Fort Lauderdale vs. Greensboro
Fort Lauderdale vs. Raleigh
Fort Lauderdale vs. Winston-Salem
Fort Lauderdale vs. Cincinnati
Fort Lauderdale vs. Columbus
Fort Lauderdale vs. Dayton
Fort Lauderdale vs. Charleston
Fort Lauderdale vs. Columbia
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Fort Lauderdale vs. Philadelphia Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.