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

Should you visit Gainesville or Hershey?

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

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

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.

Hershey

Often called "Chocolatetown, USA" and "The Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey, Pennsylvania is most known for being home to the famous Hershey's chocolates. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey, and has grown to sell products in over sixty countries worldwide. Before the town was named Hershey, it was called Derry Church and was the hometown of the chocolatier. While there are now manufacturing plants in many locations, Hershey, PA, remains the location that draws the crowds. It is the place where the Hershey Company originated and is home to attractions like Hershey Park, Hershey Gardens, and Hershey's Chocolate World.

Which city is cheaper, Hershey 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 Hershey is $170. 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 Hershey in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gainesville $95
    Hershey $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gainesville $190
    Hershey $182
Compare Hotels in Gainesville and Hershey

Looking for a hotel in Gainesville or Hershey? 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 Hershey


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 Hershey Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gainesville $32
    Hershey $39

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Gainesville or Hershey?

Prices for flights to both Hershey 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
    Hershey $49
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 Hershey

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


  • Frozen Hot Chocolate
    $4.19
  • Plain and Fancy Farm
    $46
  • Homemade Apple Butter
    $7.98

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gainesville $16
    Hershey $43
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 Hershey

Here are a few typical costs in Hershey for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Hershey Chocolate World (for 3)
    $75

Tours and Activities in Hershey

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

  • Skip the Line: AACA Museum Admission Ticket: $13
  • Vegas: Taste, Explore & Shop Chocolate Tour: $109

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gainesville $39
    Hershey $22


When comparing the travel costs between Gainesville and Hershey, 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 Hershey?

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 Hershey in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Hershey.

Gainesville is around the same temperature as Hershey in the summer. The temperature in Gainesville is usually 81°F (27°C) in July, and Hershey stays around 77°F (25°C).

Gainesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Hershey. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gainesville 81°F (27°C) 
    Hershey 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Hershey in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Hershey.

In the autumn, Gainesville is much warmer than Hershey. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gainesville in October are around 71°F (22°C), and Hershey is about 56°F (13°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in October than Hershey. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gainesville 71°F (22°C) 
    Hershey 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Hershey in the Winter?

Both Hershey and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

It's quite cold in Hershey in the winter. In January, Gainesville is generally much warmer than Hershey. Temperatures in Gainesville average around 54°F (12°C), and Hershey stays around 30°F (-1°C).

In January, Gainesville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hershey. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gainesville 54°F (12°C) 
    Hershey 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Hershey in the Spring?

Both Hershey and Gainesville during the spring are popular places to visit.

Gainesville is much warmer than Hershey in the spring. The temperature in Gainesville is usually 69°F (20°C) in April, and Hershey stays around 53°F (12°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in April than Hershey. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gainesville 69°F (20°C) 
    Hershey 53°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Hershey and Gainesville

Gainesville Hershey
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 54°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Feb 57°F (14°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 33°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Mar 63°F (17°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 69°F (20°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
May 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jun 80°F (26°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Sep 78°F (26°C) 5.5 inches (139 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Oct 71°F (22°C) 2 inches (51 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Nov 63°F (17°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 56°F (14°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)


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Gainesville vs. Hershey Travel Comparison

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