Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Galveston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Galveston or Tucson?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Galveston and Tucson can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Galveston or Tucson?
Galveston
Located on Galveston Island off the Texas Gulf Coast, Galveston is a popular destination for Texans and a departure point for cruise ships. It also makes a great beach destination for anyone looking to enjoy a week or weekend.
Galveston is a popular destination during the summer months, but the warm climate makes it comfortable year round. Even during the winter months you can enjoy mild temperatures, although on occasion it can have a cold spell.
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona is the second largest city in the state and sits at an elevation of 2,400 feet. It's temperature is slightly milder than Phoenix and it is a pleasant place to visit. Most people arrive in the city by car, but Amtrak does travel through Tucson, as does Greyhound. The area is also served by the Tucson International Airport. Once in the city, you'll likely want to have access to a car, as the city is not very pedestrian friendly and public transportation is very much lacking. Many popular and beautiful sights are also outside of town in the surrounding desert, so having access to a vehicle is paramount if you hope to visit any of the places.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGalveston $183Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Galveston is $183, while the average daily cost in Tucson is $157. 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 Galveston and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGalveston $81Tucson $93
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGalveston $162Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Galveston and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Galveston or Tucson? 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: Galveston Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Galveston $35Tucson $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galveston
Also for Galveston, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Port of Galveston to Houston Airport (HOU): $168
- Private Departure Transfer from Galveston to HOU Airport: $168
- Private Departure Transfer from Galveston Port to HOU Airport: $168
- Privat Transfer from Galveston Port to Houston Airport (IAH): $193
- Galveston to Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) Private Transfer: $192
- Galveston Port to William Hobby Airport Departure Transfer: $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Galveston or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Galveston 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 dayGalveston $52Tucson $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Galveston
For Galveston, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste of the Strand Food Tour on Galveston Island: $105
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Galveston $15Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Galveston
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galveston.
- 2 Hours Private Cemeteries of Galveston Walking Tour: $180
- Al's Authentic Paranormal Excursion Tour: $15
- Authentic Galveston Ghost City Tour: $25
- Baywatch Dolphin Tour : $25
- Baywatch Galveston Island Bus Tours: $25
- Dark Side and Cemeteries of Galveston – Walking Tour: $351
- Demo and Reno Galveston Reconstructed Private Tour: $85
- Dolphin Sightseeing Tour with Guide: $34
- Galveston Cemetery Private Tour: $85
- Galveston Dark of the Moon Ghost Tour with Red Light District: $25
- Galveston Dark of the Moon Tour: $25
- Galveston Ghosts of the Gulf Haunted Tour: $33
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGalveston $37Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Galveston
Also in Galveston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Galveston Island Brewing Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting : $10
- Historical Walking Tour and Pub Crawl: $20
- Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $25
- Galveston's Best Pub Crawl: $25
- Galveston Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Galveston and Tucson, we can see that Galveston is more expensive. And not only is Tucson much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tucson would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tucson 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 Galveston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galveston than you might in Tucson.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Galveston Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Galveston or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Galveston. When comparing the sizes of Galveston and Tucson, 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.
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.