Which place is cheaper, Wisconsin Dells or Gainesville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Gainesville vs. Wisconsin Dells for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Gainesville or Wisconsin Dells?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Wisconsin Dells, 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 Wisconsin Dells?
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.
Wisconsin Dells
Located in central Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells offers natural beauty, fun rivers, and some of the area's most famous theme parks. Wisconsin Dells is one of the two towns that make up "The Dells." The other town, Lake Delton, is another popular Midwestern tourist spot.
Wisconsin Dells is about an hour north of Madison and two hours from Milwaukee. It's famous for its striking rock formations and scenic bluffs. The town's name comes from the Dells of the Wisconsin River, which is an impressive gorge that was originally formed by a glacier.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGainesville $221Wisconsin Dells $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Gainesville is $221, while the average daily cost in Wisconsin Dells is $142. 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 Wisconsin Dells in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGainesville $119Wisconsin Dells $70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGainesville $238Wisconsin Dells $140
Compare Hotels in Gainesville and Wisconsin Dells
Looking for a hotel in Gainesville or Wisconsin Dells? 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 Wisconsin Dells Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gainesville $40Wisconsin Dells $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gainesville
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gainesville:
- Private Transfer from Gainesville to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $400
- Private Transfer from Gainesville to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $596
- Private Transfer from Gainesville to Port Canaveral: $581
Is it cheaper to fly into Gainesville or Wisconsin Dells?
Prices for flights to both Wisconsin Dells 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 $70Wisconsin Dells $43
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 $44Wisconsin Dells $46
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:
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10
- Butterfly Rainforest at Florida Museum of Natural History Ticket: $15
- Private Snorkeling Tour in Florida Springs: $250
Tours and Activities in Wisconsin Dells
Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City and History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $24
- Haunted History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $25
- Pettibone Park Segway Tour: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGainesville $49Wisconsin Dells $9.14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gainesville and Wisconsin Dells, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. And not only is Wisconsin Dells much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wisconsin Dells would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells.
Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Wisconsin Dells?
Gainesville is bigger, and its population is about 51.2 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the population of Gainesville vs. Wisconsin Dells, 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 and the activities that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Gainesville or Wisconsin Dells?
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 Wisconsin Dells in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Wisconsin Dells.
In the summer, Gainesville is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gainesville in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 74°F (24°C).
Gainesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGainesville 81°F (27°C)Wisconsin Dells 74°F (24°C)
Should I visit Gainesville or Wisconsin Dells in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Wisconsin Dells.
In October, Gainesville is generally much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 71°F (22°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
Gainesville usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Wisconsin Dells. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGainesville 71°F (22°C)Wisconsin Dells 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Gainesville or Wisconsin Dells in the Winter?
Both Wisconsin Dells and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
It's quite cold in Wisconsin Dells in the winter. Gainesville is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the winter. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 54°F (12°C) in January, and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 19°F (-7°C).
In January, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGainesville 54°F (12°C)Wisconsin Dells 19°F (-7°C)
Should I visit Gainesville or Wisconsin Dells in the Spring?
Both Wisconsin Dells and Gainesville during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Gainesville is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gainesville in April average around 69°F (20°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 49°F (10°C).
Gainesville usually gets less rain in April than Wisconsin Dells. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGainesville 69°F (20°C)Wisconsin Dells 49°F (10°C)
Typical Weather for Wisconsin Dells and Gainesville
| Gainesville | Wisconsin Dells | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) | 19°F (-7°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Feb | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Mar | 63°F (17°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 69°F (20°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 49°F (10°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Sep | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (139 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| Oct | 71°F (22°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Nov | 63°F (17°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Dec | 56°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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