A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jekyll Island vs. Moab for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Jekyll Island or Moab?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jekyll Island and Moab can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a natural, relaxing, and secluded island. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and museums.

Moab

Moab is a scenic, adventurous, and active town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and hiking.

Jekyll Island and Moab: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jekyll Island or Moab?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Moab than Jekyll Island, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Moab is better known for its food, nightlife, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Jekyll Island is more popular for its museums, resorts, and beaches. Moab is more touristy than Jekyll Island and is known for its desert landscapes and the iconic arches found at Arches National Park. Also, Moab is famous for Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. Jekyll Island is well known for its quiet beaches and its Historic District.

How is Jekyll Island different from Moab?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jekyll Island or Moab?

Jekyll Island is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Moab is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Jekyll Island is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

Moab offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that will teach you about the geology and history. You can pop in the Moab Museum or the Film Museum at Red Cliffs Ranch, as well as the galleries around town.

Is the Food Better in Jekyll Island or Moab? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Moab is a town with good options for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Moab is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The town has grown over the years and now you'll find a diverse selection of restaurants that serve decent food. There are steakhouses, pizzerias, and even a couple ice cream shops.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Jekyll Island or Moab Better for Nightlife?

Moab is a decent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Moab. The town has grown significantly and you'll find bars, taverns, and breweries where you can hang out in the evening, but it's still a quiet place with a laid back atmosphere.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Jekyll Island or Moab Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Moab is not a resort destination.

Jekyll Island has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Moab is not a resort destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Moab Better for Beaches?

Jekyll Island is great for its beaches. However, Moab is not a beach destination.

Jekyll Island is considered a top beach destination. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Moab is not a beach destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Moab Better for Hiking?

Moab is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Around Moab visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The area is filled with hiking trails, both inside the nearby national parks as well as outside. Canyonlands National Park is large with impressive overlooks, while Arches National Park has fun hikes that take you by diverse arches and include many opportunities for scrambling. Outside of the park, hikers can visit Corona Arch or search for dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur Tracks Trail.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Jekyll Island. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Is the Shopping Better in Jekyll Island or Moab?

Moab is a town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Moab has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are gift shops, places to buy outdoor equipment, and convenient stores around town. There are also a number of art galleries that sell local items or impressive photography.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Jekyll Island or Moab Better for Families?

Both Jekyll Island and Moab are excellent to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Jekyll Island. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

Moab is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's a world of outdoor adventures. You'll find river rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and many kid-friendly trails. There's also the Tracks Museum, where kids can learn about dinosaurs as well as swimming pools or swimming holes in the area.

Is Jekyll Island or Moab Better for Couples?

Moab is a very popular place for couples. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Moab makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The area is filled with adventurous fun, with everything from world-class hikes to impressive rafting trips. The dramatic landscape provides the backdrop for a truly spectacular trip.

Jekyll Island is a nice destination for couples. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

Is Jekyll Island or Moab Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Moab is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Moab. The town has many campgrounds and even a few hostels. Arches National Park has only a few backcountry overnight camping sites. Terrain is rough and most areas aren't accessible by trail.

Jekyll Island is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a few campgrounds in the area as well as some nice beaches.

Is Jekyll Island or Moab Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Jekyll Island or Moab offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Moab. There are efforts to create a transportation program within town, but there are limited transportation options available. If you book a tour, they usually provide transportation.

Is Jekyll Island or Moab a more walkable city?

Moab is a decent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Moab is generally not a very walkable town. While it's possible to walk around within the town, most visitors don't come to visit they town, they come to explore the area. You'll need a car to access most points of interest in the area.

Jekyll Island is not a walkable island. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Jekyll Island Worth Visiting? and Is Moab Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Moab or Jekyll Island?

How long in Jekyll Island or Moab?

In either Jekyll Island or Moab, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Moab than Jekyll Island because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Jekyll Island, and 2-5 days is enough time in Moab.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Moab than Jekyll 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 Moab.

One day in Jekyll Island or Moab?

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Jekyll Island. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the active destination of Moab. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Jekyll Island or Moab?

Jekyll Island is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Moab. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Jekyll Island or Moab?

You'll find museums around the natural destination of Jekyll Island. This island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the adventurous destination of Moab. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Jekyll Island or Moab?

The secluded island of Jekyll Island offers museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

You'll find shopping and food around the beautiful town of Moab. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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.

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

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