A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Fort Lauderdale vs. Virginia Beach for Resorts, Beaches, Couples, and Nightlife

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Should you visit Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach. 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.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled coastal city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife and beaches.

How is Fort Lauderdale different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Is Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach better for Food?

Both Fort Lauderdale and Virginia Beach 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Virginia Beach. Seafood is plentiful around town. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.


Is Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Virginia Beach has a few options to choose from. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach better for Resorts?

With generally more resort options, Fort Lauderdale attracts a high number of vacationers.

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.

With a selection of resorts, Virginia Beach makes a nice vacation spot. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach better for Beaches?

Fort Lauderdale provides a better beach experience than Virginia Beach.

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.

Virginia Beach has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach better for Families?

Both Fort Lauderdale and Virginia Beach 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Virginia Beach is very family-friendly. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches.


Is Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach better for Couples?

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

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.

Virginia Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk around Virginia Beach.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Fort Lauderdale is generally more walkable than Virginia Beach.

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.

Virginia Beach is generally not a very walkable coastal city. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

Fort Lauderdale and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Fort Lauderdale
Pros
  • Great resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
Virginia Beach
Pros
  • Family-friendly
Cons
  • Not as many resort options
  • Less attractive beach
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less walkable


Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Fort Lauderdale?

How long in Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach?

Both Fort Lauderdale and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either.

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 Virginia Beach is 5-7 days.


  • How many days in Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach? Ideal Length of Stay
    Fort Lauderdale 3-7 
    Virginia Beach 5-7

One day in Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach?

In Fort Lauderdale, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The bustling destination of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. 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 Virginia Beach?

Fort Lauderdale is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

The coastal city of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. The entire area has lots to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.


Five days in Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fort Lauderdale. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Virginia Beach is a great place to explore. This coastal city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to spend here.

A week in Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach?

In Fort Lauderdale, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. One week is usually enough time for a trip here.

The fun-filled coastal city of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Which city is cheaper, Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach is $104. 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 Virginia Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fort Lauderdale $77
    Virginia Beach $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fort Lauderdale $154
    Virginia Beach $120

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fort Lauderdale $41
    Virginia Beach $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort Lauderdale

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:

  • Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $851
  • Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $754
  • Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Orlando: $750
  • Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale to Port Canaveral: $710
  • Private Ft Lauderdale to Orlando Transfer up to 11-One Price-Mercedes Sprinter: $699
  • Party Bus Limo Sprinter Transfer Service things to do Miami Beach #dreamridellc: $450
  • Fort Lauderdale Transfer Luxury Suv: $281
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Boynton Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $274
  • Private transfer from or to MIA , FLL airports and Miami & Lauderdale FL: $250
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Delray Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $246
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Doral - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $229
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Boca Raton - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $197

Typical Local Transportation prices in Virginia Beach

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:


  • Beach Parking
    $10

Is it cheaper to fly into Fort Lauderdale or Virginia Beach?

Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach 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
    Virginia Beach $25
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fort Lauderdale $12
    Virginia Beach $17

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

Tours and Activities in Virginia Beach

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.

  • Haunted Walking Ghost Tour: $22
  • Sunset Stand Up Paddleboard Tour of Linkhorn Bay: $41
  • Wetland Zip Tour: $61
  • Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $62
  • Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $62
  • RIDE ALONG GREEK GODS & AQUATISM *Certified Tours*: $75
  • Tour of Virginia Beach (half day), for GROUPS of 10-16: $499
  • Tour of Virginia Beach, for GROUPS of 10-16: $831
  • All-Inclusive, Autumn Weekend Tour for GROUPS of 10-16: $5,901

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fort Lauderdale $27
    Virginia Beach $8.51
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

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fort Lauderdale and Virginia Beach, we can see that Fort Lauderdale is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach.

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Fort Lauderdale vs. Virginia Beach Travel Comparison

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