A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hilton Head Island vs. San Antonio for Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Hilton Head Island or San Antonio?

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 Hilton Head Island and San Antonio can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a family-friendly, relaxing, and peaceful coastal town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a festive, fun, and historic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hilton Head Island and San Antonio: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilton Head Island or San Antonio?

Visitors will usually find more to do in San Antonio than Hilton Head Island, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. San Antonio is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, and historical sights, while Hilton Head Island is more popular for its resorts and beaches. Hilton Head Island is more touristy than San Antonio and is popular for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails. San Antonio is well known for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks. Also, San Antonio is famous for The Alamo.

How is Hilton Head Island different from San Antonio?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Antonio and Hilton Head Island. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hilton Head Island or San Antonio?

San Antonio is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to San Antonio specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Hilton Head Island or San Antonio? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Hilton Head Island and San Antonio.

Hilton Head Island is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

San Antonio offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Antonio Better for Nightlife?

San Antonio is very good for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in San Antonio. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Antonio Better for Music?

San Antonio is very good for its music scene. However, Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in San Antonio. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Antonio Better for Resorts?

Hilton Head Island is a great destination for its resorts. However, San Antonio is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Hilton Head Island to choose from. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

San Antonio is not a resort destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Antonio Better for Beaches?

Hilton Head Island is a great destination for its beaches. However, San Antonio is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Hilton Head Island for it's beautiful beaches. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

San Antonio is not a beach destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Antonio Better for its Old Town?

San Antonio is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Hilton Head Island does not have a historic old town.

San Antonio has an old town worth visiting. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Hilton Head Island does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilton Head Island or San Antonio?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Hilton Head Island and San Antonio.

Hilton Head Island has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

San Antonio is a great destination for shopping. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Antonio Better for Christmas?

San Antonio is very good for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Hilton Head Island does not offer Christmas activities.

San Antonio worth visiting during the Christmas season. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.

Hilton Head Island does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Antonio Better for Families?

You'll find first-rate kid-friendly activities in either Hilton Head Island or San Antonio.

Hilton Head Island is one of the most popular family destinations. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

San Antonio is an amazing family-friendly coastal town to visit. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Antonio Better for Couples?

Both Hilton Head Island and San Antonio are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Hilton Head Island is a good coastal town for couples to visit. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

San Antonio is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Antonio Better for Students?

San Antonio is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit San Antonio. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Antonio Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

San Antonio is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Antonio a more walkable city?

Hilton Head Island and San Antonio are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Hilton Head Island is generally not a very walkable coastal town. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

San Antonio is generally not very walkable. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Hilton Head Island Worth Visiting? and Is San Antonio Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Antonio or Hilton Head Island?

How long in Hilton Head Island or San Antonio?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hilton Head Island and San Antonio. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilton Head Island than in San Antonio. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Hilton Head Island, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Antonio.

Families should spend more time in San Antonio than Hilton Head Island. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Antonio, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in San Antonio than Hilton Head Island. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Antonio that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Antonio than Hilton Head Island if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in San Antonio.

One day in Hilton Head Island or San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the family-friendly coastal town of Hilton Head Island. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the festive destination of San Antonio. This city offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Hilton Head Island or San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and food when visiting the resort-filled destination of Hilton Head Island. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

San Antonio is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the fun city of San Antonio. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Antonio has to offer.

Five days in Hilton Head Island or San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxing coastal town of Hilton Head Island. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting San Antonio. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Hilton Head Island or San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and food when visiting the destination of Hilton Head Island. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town.

San Antonio is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hilton Head Island Expensive? and Is San Antonio Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hilton Head Island or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Hilton Head Island. When comparing the sizes of Hilton Head Island and San Antonio, 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 Hilton Head Island or San Antonio?

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 Hilton Head Island or San Antonio in the Summer?

Both San Antonio and Hilton Head Island during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Antonio for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Hilton Head Island is around the same temperature as San Antonio. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hilton Head Island in July average around 82°F (28°C), and San Antonio averages at about 87°F (31°C).

In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hilton Head Island. In the summer, Hilton Head Island often gets less sunshine than San Antonio. Hilton Head Island gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 307 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in July than San Antonio. Hilton Head Island gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or San Antonio in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilton Head Island and San Antonio. Most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Hilton Head Island is generally cooler than San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 68°F (20°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio this time of the year. In Hilton Head Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hilton Head Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio during autumn. Hilton Head Island gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hilton Head Island usually receives less rain than San Antonio. Hilton Head Island gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or San Antonio in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hilton Head Island as well as San Antonio. The winter months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.

Hilton Head Island is cooler than San Antonio in the winter. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 48°F (9°C) in January, and San Antonio fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In the winter, Hilton Head Island often gets more sunshine than San Antonio. Hilton Head Island gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun.

Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in January than San Antonio. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or San Antonio in the Spring?

Both San Antonio and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Antonio for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Hilton Head Island is cooler than San Antonio. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hilton Head Island in April average around 67°F (19°C), and San Antonio averages at about 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in San Antonio. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head Island usually receives more sunshine than San Antonio during spring. Hilton Head Island gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hilton Head Island usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Antonio and Hilton Head Island