A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Gainesville vs. Anchorage for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Gainesville or Anchorage?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Anchorage, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Gainesville or Anchorage?

Gainesville

Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.

Anchorage

Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It's known for its cultural sites and also as a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains. From the sparkling waters of Cook Inlet to the tallest peaks of the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage encompasses incredible adventures and metropolitan appeals that are larger than life. With 1,500 moose, incredible national parks nearby and 60 glaciers a short drive away, it's a dream destination in Alaska.

Which city is cheaper, Anchorage or Gainesville?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Gainesville is $172, while the average daily cost in Anchorage is $153. 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 Gainesville and Anchorage in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gainesville $95
    Anchorage $93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gainesville $190
    Anchorage $186
Compare Hotels in Gainesville and Anchorage

Looking for a hotel in Gainesville or Anchorage? 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.

Hotels in Gainesville


Hotels in Anchorage


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: Gainesville Hotel Prices and Anchorage Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gainesville $32
    Anchorage $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gainesville

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gainesville:

  • Private Transfer from Gainesville to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $453
  • Private Transfer from Gainesville to Port Canaveral: $658
  • Private Transfer from Gainesville to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $676

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Anchorage

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Anchorage:

  • Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Anchorage accommodation - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
  • Anchorage accommodation to Anchorage Airport (ANC) - Departure Private Transfer: $34
  • Private Departure Transfer - to Anchorage Airport (ANC): $54
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC: $54
  • Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Anchorage accommodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $67
  • Private Transfer Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Whittier Cruise Port: $209
  • Private Transfer Anchorage Airport ANC to Seward Cruise Port: $292
  • Private Transfer: Seward Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport (ANC): $292
  • Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Seward Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $386
  • Private Transfer: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) to Anchorage: $622
  • Private Transfer: Anchorage to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC): $622
  • Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Seward Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $771

Is it cheaper to fly into Gainesville or Anchorage?

Prices for flights to both Anchorage and Gainesville 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
    Gainesville $56
    Anchorage $40
Typical Food prices in Gainesville

Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:


  • Diner Breakfast for Two
    $17
  • Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)
    $24

Typical Food prices in Anchorage

Some typical examples of dining costs in Anchorage are as follows:


  • Bread
    $4.25
  • Breakfast for Two
    $17

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gainesville $16
    Anchorage $24
Typical Entertainment prices in Gainesville

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:


  • Manatee Tour for Two
    $98
  • Tour Guide Tip
    $5.00

Tours and Activities in Gainesville

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Gainesville are as follows:

  • Butterfly Rainforest at Florida Museum of Natural History Ticket: $14

Typical Entertainment prices in Anchorage

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Anchorage are as follows:


  • 1 Day Bike Rental
    $33
  • 1/2 Day Rafting Trip
    $105

Tours and Activities in Anchorage

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Anchorage are as follows:

  • Anchorage Museum General Admission Ticket: $20
  • Anchorage Trolley Tour: $21
  • Anchorage City Tour w/ Taste of Wild Smoked Salmon & Reindeer Sausage: $39
  • Winter - Anchorage All Around City Tour: $49
  • Alaska Native Historic Cultural City Tour of Anchorage: $59
  • Gold Panning Self-Guided Tour: $69
  • Turnagain Arm Tour: "A Must See Destination": $69
  • Beginner’s Snowshoeing Adventure: $81
  • Coastal Trail 3-Hour City Bike Tour: $95
  • Explore Portage Valley a Self-Guided Tour: $99
  • Alaska Wildlife Tour: $99
  • Alyeska Tram - A Self-Guided Tour: $99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gainesville $39
    Anchorage $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Anchorage

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Anchorage:

  • Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings: $115
  • Anchorage Bike and Brewery Tour: $219
  • Alaska Brewery and Railroad Experience from Anchorage: $349

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Gainesville and Anchorage, we can see that Gainesville 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.


When is the best time to visit Gainesville or Anchorage?

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.

Should I visit Gainesville or Anchorage in the Summer?

Both Anchorage and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the family-friendly experiences.

Gainesville is much warmer than Anchorage in the summer. The temperature in Gainesville is usually 81°F (27°C) in July, and Anchorage stays around 59°F (15°C).

It's quite rainy in Gainesville. In July, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gainesville 81°F (27°C) 
    Anchorage 59°F (15°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Anchorage in the Autumn?

Both Anchorage and Gainesville during the autumn are popular places to visit.

Anchorage can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Gainesville is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gainesville in October are around 71°F (22°C), and Anchorage is about 35°F (2°C).

Gainesville usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Anchorage. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gainesville 71°F (22°C) 
    Anchorage 35°F (2°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Anchorage in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Anchorage. Furthermore, most visitors come to Anchorage for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Anchorage can be very cold during winter. In January, Gainesville is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Temperatures in Gainesville average around 54°F (12°C), and Anchorage stays around 15°F (-9°C).

In January, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gainesville 54°F (12°C) 
    Anchorage 15°F (-9°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Anchorage in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Anchorage.

The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. Gainesville is much warmer than Anchorage in the spring. The temperature in Gainesville is usually 69°F (20°C) in April, and Anchorage stays around 36°F (2°C).

Gainesville usually gets more rain in April than Anchorage. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gainesville 69°F (20°C) 
    Anchorage 36°F (2°C)

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Gainesville

Gainesville Anchorage
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 54°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm) 15°F (-9°C) 0.7 inches (19 mm)
Feb 57°F (14°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 19°F (-7°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
Mar 63°F (17°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 26°F (-3°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm)
Apr 69°F (20°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 36°F (2°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm)
May 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 47°F (8°C) 0.8 inches (20 mm)
Jun 80°F (26°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm) 55°F (13°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm) 59°F (15°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Sep 78°F (26°C) 5.5 inches (139 mm) 49°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Oct 71°F (22°C) 2 inches (51 mm) 35°F (2°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Nov 63°F (17°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 22°F (-6°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Dec 56°F (14°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 17°F (-8°C) 1.1 inches (28 mm)


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Gainesville vs. Anchorage Travel Comparison

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