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

Should you visit Gainesville or Fairfield?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Fairfield, 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 Fairfield?

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.

Fairfield

The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or Gainesville?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Gainesville is $221, while the average daily cost in Fairfield is $131. 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 Gainesville and Fairfield in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gainesville $119
    Fairfield $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gainesville $238
    Fairfield $194
Compare Hotels in Gainesville and Fairfield

Looking for a hotel in Gainesville or Fairfield? 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 Fairfield


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 Fairfield Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gainesville $40
    Fairfield -

Is it cheaper to fly into Gainesville or Fairfield?

Prices for flights to both Fairfield 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 $70
    Fairfield $30
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 Fairfield

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:


  • El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)
    $17
  • Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)
    $44

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gainesville $44
    Fairfield $13
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: $15
  • Private Snorkeling Tour in Florida Springs: $250
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gainesville $49
    Fairfield -

Sample the Local Flavors in Fairfield

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fairfield:

  • Olive Oil, Cheese, and Wine Tasting with Local Expert: $133


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gainesville and Fairfield, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. And not only is Fairfield much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fairfield would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fairfield 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 Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville than you might in Fairfield.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gainesville Expensive? and Is Fairfield Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Fairfield?

Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Fairfield. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville and Fairfield, 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.


When is the best time to visit Gainesville or Fairfield?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Gainesville or Fairfield in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Fairfield. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year.

Gainesville is a little warmer than Fairfield in the summer. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Fairfield fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville usually gets more rain in July than Fairfield. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gainesville 81°F (27°C) 
    Fairfield 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Fairfield in the Autumn?

Both Fairfield and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Gainesville for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Gainesville is a little warmer than Fairfield. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gainesville in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Fairfield averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gainesville 71°F (22°C) 
    Fairfield 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Fairfield in the Winter?

Both Fairfield and Gainesville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Gainesville is generally much warmer than Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 54°F (12°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in January than Fairfield. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gainesville 54°F (12°C) 
    Fairfield 46°F (8°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Fairfield in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Fairfield.

Gainesville is much warmer than Fairfield in the spring. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 69°F (20°C) in April, and Fairfield fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gainesville 69°F (20°C) 
    Fairfield 56°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Fairfield and Gainesville

Gainesville Fairfield
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 54°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Feb 57°F (14°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 63°F (17°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 69°F (20°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
May 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 80°F (26°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm) 69°F (21°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 78°F (26°C) 5.5 inches (139 mm) 70°F (21°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 71°F (22°C) 2 inches (51 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Nov 63°F (17°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 56°F (14°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 46°F (8°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)