Should you visit Jacksonville or Wisconsin Dells?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Jacksonville and Wisconsin Dells. 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.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells is $114. 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 Wisconsin Dells 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.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $56. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Wisconsin Dells the cost is $112 on average.
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 average traveler spends about $34 per day in Wisconsin Dells for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Jacksonville $77
Wisconsin Dells $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Private Progressive Dinner in Jacksonville for 2 to 6 People:
$300
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.
The average price of local transportation around Wisconsin Dells is $28 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jacksonville
Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Airport to Hotel Jacksonville Private Transfer:
$125
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JAX Airport Transfer to Amelia Island:
$129
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JAX Airport Transfer to Downtown Jacksonville:
$97
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JAX Airport Transfer to Jacksonville Beach:
$129
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JAX Airport Transfer to Ponte Vedra Beach:
$149
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JAX Airport Transfer to St Augustine:
$215
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Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$164
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Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$328
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Jacksonville City to Jacksonville Airport (JAX) - Departure Private Transfer:
$164
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Jacksonville Private Transfer - Hotel to Airport:
$125
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Private Jacksonville to Orlando Transfer up to 11-One Price-Mercedes Sprinter:
$300
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Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Orlando (MCO) Airport:
$453
Is it cheaper to fly into Jacksonville or Wisconsin Dells?
Prices for flights to both Wisconsin Dells 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.
Wisconsin Dells's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $37 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures:
$37
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Half-Day City Tour in Downtown Jacksonville:
$55
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Jacksonville Residential Architecture & History Tour:
$55
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Public Art Tour in Jacksonville:
$60
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Ride To Jax Port Cruise Terminal:
$60
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Ride From Jax Port Cruise Terminal:
$60
Tours and Activities in Wisconsin Dells
Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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1-Hour Guided WildThing Jet Boat Tour in Wisconsin Dells:
$31
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City and History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells:
$24
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Haunted History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells:
$25
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Wisconsin Dells 1 Hour Land & Water Duck Tour:
$31
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Jacksonville spend on average $16 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Wisconsin Dells may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.31 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Jacksonville
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jacksonville:
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Jax Urban Core Brewery Tour in Jacksonville:
$48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Wisconsin Dells, we can see that Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jacksonville than you might in Wisconsin Dells.
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