Should you visit Jacksonville or Orlando?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Jacksonville and Orlando. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
Jacksonville
As the sky above you darkens, the city around you glows with a vividness of a thousand colors as you hear the soft swell of waves upon the shore. Such an urban paradise is none other than Jacksonville, Florida. Located on the northeastern side of the sunshine state, Jacksonville stands where the St. John's River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Estimated to be the 12th most populous city in the United States, Jacksonville works as the cultural, commercial and financial hive of north Florida. The large city is known for its exquisite beaches, interactive museums, and golf course areas. Surf, shop, and socialize in one of Florida's most popular metropolitan areas.
Orlando
Orlando is a haven for tourists from the entire United States and abroad. The most famous sight in Orlando, Walt Disney World, is not actually located in the city at all, but in nearby Lake Buena Vista. The area attracts over 50 million visitors a year and the city's sprawling development has created amenities and entertainment options for tourists of all ages.
Which city is cheaper, Orlando or Jacksonville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Jacksonville is $176, while the average daily cost in Orlando is $240. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Jacksonville and Orlando in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Jacksonville, $148 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Jacksonville, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $74, such as in a hostel.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $224 in Orlando For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The price of a meal in Jacksonville can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $77 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $31 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
The price of a meal in Orlando can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $50 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $20 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Jacksonville $77
Orlando $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Private Progressive Dinner in Jacksonville for 2 to 6 People:
$300
Typical Food prices in Orlando
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Orlando:
-
Lunch for Two at Epcot
$29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Orlando
For Orlando, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show, Orlando:
$34
-
The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show:
$34
-
Mango's Tropical Cafe Dinner & Show Tickets:
$50
-
Mango's Tropical Cafe Orlando Dinner and Show Ticket:
$50
-
The Rock Dinner Show in Orlando:
$51
-
Food Tour of Celebration:
$55
-
Pirates Dinner Adventure Orlando:
$57
-
Downtown Food Tour:
$60
-
WonderWorks and Outta Control Dinner Show VIP Combo:
$64
-
Audubon Park Garden District Food Tour:
$85
-
Cowboy Rodeo Adventure Tour & BBQ Dinner from Orlando:
$89
-
Dinner with Disney Characters by Limousine:
$119
Local Transportation
Jacksonville's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $43 per person, per day on transportation in Jacksonville.
To get around in Orlando, the average visitor spends $48 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jacksonville
Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Port Canaveral:
$658
-
Private transfer: Jacksonville to Jacksonville Airport (JAX):
$622
-
Private transfer: Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville:
$622
-
Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport:
$457
-
Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Orlando (MCO) Airport:
$453
-
Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$328
-
Private Jacksonville to Orlando Transfer up to 11-One Price-Mercedes Sprinter:
$300
-
JAX Airport Transfer to St Augustine:
$215
-
Jacksonville City to Jacksonville Airport (JAX) - Departure Private Transfer:
$164
-
Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$164
-
JAX Airport Transfer to Ponte Vedra Beach:
$149
-
JAX Airport Transfer to Jacksonville Beach:
$129
Typical Local Transportation prices in Orlando
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Orlando are as follows:
-
Parking
$14
-
Taxi Ride
$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Orlando
Also for Orlando, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Universal/North I-Drive Hotels to Orlando Airport Private Transfer:
$69
-
Universal Studios to Cruise Port Canaveral. Private Transfer Up to 10 pax:
$128
-
Universal Studios Resorts to Orlando Airport MCO. Private Transfer Up to 10 pax:
$58
-
Universal Studios Resort to Cruise Port Canaveral. Private Transfer up to 4 pax:
$112
-
Transfer to / from Miami Area and Ports:
$325
-
Transfer in private vehicle from Orlando downtown to Orlando Airport:
$55
-
Transfer in private vehicle from Orlando Airport to Orlando downtown:
$55
-
Transfer in private minivan from Orlando downtown to Orlando Airport:
$67
-
Transfer in private minivan from Orlando Airport to Orlando downtown:
$67
-
Transfer from Orlando to Cape Canaveral/Cruises/Cocoa Beach:
$98
-
Transfer from Orlando International Airport to Orlando:
$87
-
Transfer from Orlando International Airport to Central Florida:
$80
Is it cheaper to fly into Jacksonville or Orlando?
Prices for flights to both Orlando and Jacksonville 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Jacksonville can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $16 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
In Orlando, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $163 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Half-Day City Tour in Downtown Jacksonville:
$55
-
Jacksonville Residential Architecture & History Tour:
$55
-
Public Art Tour in Jacksonville:
$60
-
Ride From Jax Port Cruise Terminal:
$60
-
Ride To Jax Port Cruise Terminal:
$60
-
The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures:
$37
Typical Entertainment prices in Orlando
For Orlando, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Orlando
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Orlando.
-
1-Hour Airboat Sunset Tour (Seasonal):
$72
-
1-Hour Private Ski Boat Experience in Florida:
$69
-
2-Park 1-Day Universal Orlando™ Theme Park Tickets:
$174
-
2-Park 2-Day Universal Orlando™ Theme Park Tickets:
$275
-
8-Hour Automatic Polaris Slingshot SL Adventure Rental:
$193
-
A Walk Around Lake Eola Audio Tour:
$6.65
-
Central Florida Everglades Airboat Tour from Orlando:
$59
-
Central Florida Everglades and Safari Park Tour:
$129
-
Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens Admission Ticket:
$20
-
Chef Nite Dining Experience:
$150
-
City Tour of Orlando with Gospel Brunch:
$109
-
Clearwater Beach Deep Sea Fishing Adventure with Lunch:
$149
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Jacksonville spend on average $16 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Orlando, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $24.
Sample the Local Flavors in Jacksonville
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jacksonville:
-
Jax Urban Core Brewery Tour in Jacksonville:
$48
Sample the Local Flavors in Orlando
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Orlando:
-
Florida Craft Beer & Brewery Tour:
$65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Orlando, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Jacksonville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jacksonville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jacksonville 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 Orlando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orlando than you might in Jacksonville.
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