Which place is cheaper, San Antonio or Fort Lauderdale?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Fort Lauderdale and San Antonio. 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 is a high energy, scenic, and bustling coastal city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.
San Antonio is a cultural, colorful, and festive city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for live music, food, and shopping.
Visitors will generally find more to do in Fort Lauderdale than San Antonio. While San Antonio is larger than Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Fort Lauderdale is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while San Antonio is known for its museums, music, and historical sights. Fort Lauderdale is more touristy than San Antonio and is known for its canals, beaches, walkable waterfront, and luxury resorts. It is also home to The Local Beaches. San Antonio is popular for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Antonio and Fort Lauderdale. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
San Antonio is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Fort Lauderdale does not have museums and landmarks.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around San Antonio. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.
Fort Lauderdale does not have museums and landmarks.
Both Fort Lauderdale and San Antonio offer a number of good 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. There are many waterfront restaurants or you could head to Las Olas Boulevard, which has many bistros, cafes, and restaurants.
San Antonio has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.
Fort Lauderdale is a great destination for nightlife. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.
The people in Fort Lauderdale know how to have a good time. Trendy and upscale partying is the name of the game in this Florida city. 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. You'll find the most activity around the weekends, but there really is something going on any night of the week.
If you're looking for night time activities San Antonio has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.
San Antonio is a good destination for live music. However, Fort Lauderdale is not a live music destination.
You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in San Antonio. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.
Fort Lauderdale is not a live music destination.
Fort Lauderdale is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, San Antonio is not a resort destination.
Vacationers flock to Fort Lauderdale for its luxury resorts. Luxury beachfront resorts are plentiful in the area. Several of the most impressive include the Ritz-Carlton, W Fort Lauderdale, and the Dalmar. Most resorts have a beachfront pool, hot tubs, and depending on the resort, a kid's club.
San Antonio is not a resort destination.
Fort Lauderdale is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, San Antonio is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Fort Lauderdale. Although the snorkeling doesn't compare to what you'll find further south around the Florida Keys, there are some great places to pull your mask and fins out in the area. Popular snorkeling spots nearby include the Vista Park Reef, Pompano Beach, and Hollywood North Beach Park.
San Antonio is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Fort Lauderdale is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, San Antonio is not a beach destination.
Fort Lauderdale offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches, a fun boardwalk, and impressive views, the beaches here are among the best in the area. They are surprisingly walkable and, while there can be crowds, there's still a laid-back and relaxing atmosphere.
San Antonio is not a beach destination.
San Antonio is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Fort Lauderdale does not have a historic old town.
Many visitors go to San Antonio to see the historical old town. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.
Fort Lauderdale does not have a historic old town.
Shopping is a popular activity in both San Antonio 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.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting San Antonio. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.
San Antonio is a good destination for its Christmas activities. However, Fort Lauderdale does not offer Christmas activities.
San Antonio is a fun destination over Christmas. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.
Fort Lauderdale does not offer Christmas activities.
San Antonio is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Fort Lauderdale is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
With a huge array of activities for kids, San Antonio is very family-friendly. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Fort Lauderdale is very family-friendly. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches and a number of kid-oriented activities, the kids will love it here. Fun activities include Bluefoot Pirate Adventures, Butterfly World, and Funderdome. On sunny days there are many outdoor recreation areas and when the weather isn't cooperating, there are hands-on museums.
Fort Lauderdale is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.
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. A sunset walk on the beach and a stay at a romantic resort will make for an unforgettable trip.
San Antonio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.
San Antonio is a good destination for students. However, Fort Lauderdale is not popular with students.
San Antonio is popular with students. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.
Fort Lauderdale is not popular with students.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Fort Lauderdale and San Antonio.
Public transit is generally limited in Fort Lauderdale. Transportation options include a water taxi and the Sun Trolley Hop-on Bus.
Public transit is mostly limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.
Fort Lauderdale is a great destination for its walkability. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.
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.
San Antonio is generally not a very walkable coastal city. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.
For even more information, also check out Is Fort Lauderdale Worth Visiting? and Is San Antonio Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Fort Lauderdale and San Antonio. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Fort Lauderdale than in San Antonio. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Fort Lauderdale, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Antonio.
Families should spend more time in San Antonio than Fort Lauderdale. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Antonio, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Fort Lauderdale than San Antonio. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Fort Lauderdale that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Antonio than Fort Lauderdale if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in San Antonio.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the luxury coastal city of Fort Lauderdale. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
The colorful destination of San Antonio offers live music and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the spirited destination of Fort Lauderdale. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
The city of San Antonio offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.
Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the luxury coastal city of Fort Lauderdale. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
San Antonio 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.
Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Fort Lauderdale. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city.
Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting San Antonio. 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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Fort Lauderdale is $182, while the average daily cost in San Antonio is $132. 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 San Antonio in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale or San Antonio? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Antonio are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Antonio:
Prices for flights to both San Antonio 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Fort Lauderdale:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Fort Lauderdale.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Antonio.
Here are a few actual costs in Fort Lauderdale for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few typical costs in San Antonio for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in San Antonio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort Lauderdale:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Antonio:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fort Lauderdale and San Antonio, we can see that Fort Lauderdale is more expensive. And not only is San Antonio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Antonio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Antonio 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 San Antonio.
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 San Antonio Expensive?.
San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Fort Lauderdale. When comparing the sizes of Fort Lauderdale and San Antonio, 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.
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.
Both San Antonio and Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Fort Lauderdale because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.
Fort Lauderdale is around the same temperature as San Antonio in the summer. The daily temperature in Fort Lauderdale averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and San Antonio fluctuates around 87°F (31°C).
It's quite sunny in San Antonio. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio during summer. Fort Lauderdale gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Fort Lauderdale. In July, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both San Antonio and Fort Lauderdale during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Antonio for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Fort Lauderdale is a little warmer than San Antonio. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in October average around 78°F (26°C), and San Antonio averages at about 73°F (23°C).
In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Fort Lauderdale. In the autumn, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than San Antonio. Fort Lauderdale gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 213 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in October than San Antonio. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Fort Lauderdale and San Antonio. Many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to San Antonio in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Fort Lauderdale is generally much warmer than San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 67°F (20°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
In Fort Lauderdale, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fort Lauderdale usually receives more sunshine than San Antonio during winter. Fort Lauderdale gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as San Antonio. Many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to San Antonio for the natural beauty during these months.
Fort Lauderdale is around the same temperature as San Antonio in the spring. The daily temperature in Fort Lauderdale averages around 75°F (24°C) in April, and San Antonio fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fort Lauderdale this time of the year. In the spring, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than San Antonio. Fort Lauderdale gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun.
Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in April than San Antonio. Fort Lauderdale gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Fort Lauderdale | San Antonio | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
Feb | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
Mar | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
Apr | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) |
May | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (162 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 9.4 inches (238 mm) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 87°F (31°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) | 87°F (31°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
Sep | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 inches (194 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Nov | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
Dec | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |