Which city is cheaper, Virginia Beach or Gainesville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Gainesville vs. Virginia Beach for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Gainesville or Virginia Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?
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.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. It's a popular beach destination and has many of the characteristics of most southeastern beach towns. There are many activities that you can enjoy and there's a concrete boardwalk that runs parallel to the water for about three miles. The boardwalk is a fun place to walk or bicycle. The beach itself is wide and sandy and is a great place to soak up some sun. During the summer months and school holidays it can get quite crowded and you might struggle to find a place for your towel and beach chairs. There are also many beach side resorts that line the water front. Most have pools and hot tubs where you can relax and some hotels have indoor pools as well, which can be nice during the cool winter months.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGainesville $172Virginia Beach $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Gainesville is $172, 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 Gainesville and Virginia Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGainesville $95Virginia Beach $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGainesville $190Virginia Beach $120
Compare Hotels in Gainesville and Virginia Beach
Looking for a hotel in Gainesville or Virginia Beach? 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.
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 Virginia Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gainesville $32Virginia Beach $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gainesville
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gainesville:
- Private Transfer from Gainesville to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $676
- Private Transfer from Gainesville to Port Canaveral: $658
- Private Transfer from Gainesville to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $453
Typical Local Transportation prices in Virginia Beach
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:
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Beach Parking$10
Is it cheaper to fly into Gainesville or Virginia Beach?
Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach 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
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Food Meals for one dayGainesville $56Virginia Beach $25
Typical Food prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:
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Diner Breakfast for Two$17
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Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)$24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gainesville $16Virginia Beach $17
Typical Entertainment prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:
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Manatee Tour for Two$98
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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
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGainesville $39Virginia Beach $8.51
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gainesville and Virginia Beach, we can see that Gainesville 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 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 Virginia Beach.
When is the best time to visit Gainesville or Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Virginia Beach. Additionally, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.
In the summer, Gainesville is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gainesville in July are around 81°F (27°C), and Virginia Beach is about 79°F (26°C).
It's quite rainy in Virginia Beach. Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville usually gets more rain in July than Virginia Beach. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGainesville 81°F (27°C)Virginia Beach 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Gainesville or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?
Both Virginia Beach and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Gainesville is generally a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Temperatures in Gainesville average around 71°F (22°C), and Virginia Beach stays around 62°F (16°C).
In October, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGainesville 71°F (22°C)Virginia Beach 62°F (16°C)
Should I visit Gainesville or Virginia Beach in the Winter?
Both Virginia Beach and Gainesville during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the winter for the cuisine.
Virginia Beach can get quite cold in the winter. Gainesville is much warmer than Virginia Beach in the winter. The temperature in Gainesville is usually 54°F (12°C) in January, and Virginia Beach stays around 39°F (4°C).
Gainesville usually gets less rain in January than Virginia Beach. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGainesville 54°F (12°C)Virginia Beach 39°F (4°C)
Should I visit Gainesville or Virginia Beach in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Virginia Beach. Also, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Gainesville is a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gainesville in April are around 69°F (20°C), and Virginia Beach is about 58°F (14°C).
In April, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGainesville 69°F (20°C)Virginia Beach 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Gainesville
| Gainesville | Virginia Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Feb | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Mar | 63°F (17°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 49°F (10°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Apr | 69°F (20°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.7 inches (145 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) |
| Sep | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (139 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Oct | 71°F (22°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 63°F (17°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Dec | 56°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
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