Which place is cheaper, Valdosta or Key West?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Key West or Valdosta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Key West or Valdosta? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Key West or Valdosta?
Key West
Key West is both a city and an island as well as the southern most Florida Key. It is also the southern most city in the continental United States. The island is only about four miles long and one mile wide. The total land mass covers just 4.2 square miles. The most famous street in town is Duval Street, which runs just 1.1 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. There are 14 blocks. The size of the island doubled during the 1950s when many of the salt ponds along the eastern side of the island were filled in.
Valdosta
Valdosta is a fast-growing city located in Southern Georgia in the United States. With a humid, subtropical climate, Valdosta is sometimes called the Azalea City, as the blossoms thrive in the area. The city is also home to many museums, galleries, restaurants, and venues for entertainment, as well as Valdosta State University.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKey West $551Valdosta $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Key West is $551, while the average daily cost in Valdosta is $136. 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 Key West and Valdosta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKey West $132Valdosta $70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKey West $264Valdosta $140
Compare Hotels in Key West and Valdosta
Looking for a hotel in Key West or Valdosta? 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: Key West Hotel Prices and Valdosta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Key West $51Valdosta $34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Key West
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Key West:
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Rental Car for One Day$38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Key West
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Key West:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Key West Airport EYW: $144
- Key West Airport (EYW) to Key West - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $129
- Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $129
- Marathon/ Key Largo to Fort Lauderdale Airport(FLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
- Key West to Key West Airport (EYW) - Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Key West hotels to Key West Int Airport (EYW) Departure Transfer: $64
- Private Transfer from Key West Int Airport to Key West Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Key West Cruise Port to Key West hotels: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Key West or Valdosta?
Prices for flights to both Valdosta and Key West 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
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Food Meals for one dayKey West $385Valdosta $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Key West
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Key West.
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with Open Bar & Live Music: $81
- Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner and Drinks Included: $93
- Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $93
- Historic Seaport Food & Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $93
- Old Town Secret Food Tour: $107
- Sunset Sail Full Bar, Live Music & Dinner & Early Morning Snorkeling: $160
- Snorkeling, Sunset Dinner Cruise & Open Bar: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Key West $33Valdosta $19
Tours and Activities in Key West
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Key West are as follows:
- Key West Kayak Eco Tour | An Eco-Friendly Adventure Awaits!: $56
- Private E-Pedicab 1 Hour Sightseeing Ride of Old Town Key West: $100
- Southernmost Ghosts Tour: $33
- 2-Hour Live Music Guided Tour in Key West: $35
- A Self-Guided Tour of Key West's Legends and Sights: $24
- Adults only Sunset Cruise from Key West with Champagne: $81
- Bahama Village Walking Tour: $30
- Best of Key West Walking Tour with Glass Bottom Boat Cruise: $229
- Best of Key West with Glass Bottom Boat Cruise: $294
- Champagne Sunset Catamaran Cruise in Key West with Cocktails!: $60
- Cruise Through Key West's Black History Audio Tour: $11
- Dark Corners of Key West – Walking Tour: $352
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKey West $16Valdosta $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Key West
Also in Key West, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Key West Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour with Free T-Shirt: $32
- Bone Island Haunted Pub Crawl: $32
- 2.5-Hour Duval Street Pub Crawl: $43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Key West and Valdosta, we can see that Key West is more expensive. And not only is Valdosta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Valdosta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valdosta 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 Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West than you might in Valdosta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Key West Expensive? and Is Valdosta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Key West or Valdosta?
Valdosta has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Key West. When comparing the sizes of Key West and Valdosta, 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 Key West or Valdosta?
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 Key West or Valdosta in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Key West as well as Valdosta. The summer months attract visitors to Key West because of the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Key West is around the same temperature as Valdosta in the summer. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Valdosta fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
It's quite rainy in Valdosta. Key West usually gets less rain in July than Valdosta. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Valdosta receives 8.9 inches (227 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKey West 84°F (29°C)Valdosta 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Key West or Valdosta in the Autumn?
Both Valdosta and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Key West this time of year.
In the autumn, Key West is a little warmer than Valdosta. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Key West in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Valdosta averages at about 69°F (20°C).
It's quite rainy in Key West. In October, Key West usually receives more rain than Valdosta. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Valdosta receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Key West is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKey West 80°F (27°C)Valdosta 69°F (20°C)
Should I visit Key West or Valdosta in the Winter?
Both Valdosta and Key West during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Key West for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In January, Key West is generally much warmer than Valdosta. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 70°F (21°C), and Valdosta fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
Key West usually gets less rain in January than Valdosta. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Valdosta receives 3.7 inches (95 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKey West 70°F (21°C)Valdosta 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Key West or Valdosta in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and Valdosta. Many visitors come to Key West in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
Key West is a little warmer than Valdosta in the spring. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Valdosta fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
Valdosta receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Key West usually receives less rain than Valdosta. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Valdosta receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Key West is June to November.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKey West 77°F (25°C)Valdosta 67°F (19°C)
Typical Weather for Valdosta and Key West
| Key West | Valdosta | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 5.9 inches (151 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 6.6 inches (168 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 8.9 inches (227 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (175 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 6.7 inches (169 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
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.