A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Marathon vs. Virginia Beach for Resorts, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Marathon or Virginia Beach?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marathon or Virginia Beach, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marathon

Marathon is a relaxing, quaint, and beautiful island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, nightlife, and food.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled coastal city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and beaches.

Marathon and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marathon or Virginia Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marathon. Although Marathon and Virginia Beach are popular destinations, Marathon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marathon is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is known for its Loggerhead sea turtles, the Dolphin Research Center, Sombrero Beach, and its many places to scuba dive and snorkel. It is also well known for The Dolphin Research Center. Virginia Beach is famous for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Marathon different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Marathon or Virginia Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Marathon is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Marathon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are restaurants with waterfront terraces, raw bars, and other seafood eateries where you can enjoy fresh caught fish for a reasonable price.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Marathon or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Marathon and Virginia Beach.

If you're looking for night time activities Marathon has a few options to choose from. Popular nightlife venues include JJ’s Dog House & Sports Bar, Brass Monkey, and Cabana Club.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Virginia Beach. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Marathon or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

Marathon is great for its luxury resorts. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its resorts.

Marathon is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Popular resorts include Isla Bella Beach Resort and Tranquility Bay Resort.

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Is Marathon or Virginia Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marathon is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Virginia Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Marathon has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are many dive shops around Marathon and the area has dive spots that are great for every level. Some of the best sites are Sombrero Reef, Coffins Patch, and Thunderbolt wreck. There are also many snorkeling trips that head out to Sombrero Reef.

Virginia Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marathon or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

Marathon is great for the beache. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Marathon. Sombrero Beach is a popular spot for picnics, swimming and seeing the Loggerhead Turtles from April through October.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Virginia Beach. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Is Marathon or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

Marathon and Virginia Beach are both superb destinations for the whole family.

Marathon is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy getting face-to-face with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center. Families can also explore Pigeon Key or play in the water at Sombrero Beach. Families will find no shortage of activities on the island.

Virginia Beach is a very kid-friendly island. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

Is Marathon or Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

Marathon is great for its romantic activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for couples.

Marathon is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. With beautiful views, 7 Mile Bridge, and plenty of activities, this area makes a romantic destination for couples. There are beaches and waterfront spots that offer a romantic setting for couples.

Virginia Beach is a good island for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Is Marathon or Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Marathon is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Virginia Beach. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

Marathon is not popular with students.

Is Marathon or Virginia Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Marathon or Virginia Beach offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Marathon. There's no real public transportation in town. A car is essential.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Is Marathon or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Marathon and Virginia Beach are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Marathon is generally not a very walkable island. Shops and restaurants and spread out along a central road, making walking difficult to impossible.

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

For even more information, also check out Is Marathon Worth Visiting? and Is Virginia Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Marathon?

How long in Marathon or Virginia Beach?

Both Marathon and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Marathon has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Marathon than Virginia Beach. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Marathon, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

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

Couples should spend more time in Marathon than Virginia Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Marathon that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marathon than Virginia Beach 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 Marathon.

One day in Marathon or Virginia Beach?

In Marathon, you'll find nightlife and food. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The coastal city of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Marathon or Virginia Beach?

Marathon is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Virginia Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marathon or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marathon. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Virginia Beach is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Virginia Beach, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Marathon or Virginia Beach?

In Marathon, you'll find nightlife and food. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Virginia Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Virginia Beach has to offer. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Marathon or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Marathon. When comparing the sizes of Marathon and Virginia Beach, 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 Marathon or Virginia Beach?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Marathon or Virginia Beach in the Summer?

Both Virginia Beach and Marathon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Marathon because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

In the summer, Marathon is a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marathon in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marathon. Marathon usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during summer. Marathon gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. In July, Marathon usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Marathon gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marathon or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

Both Virginia Beach and Marathon during the autumn are popular places to visit. The natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marathon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Marathon is generally much warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 80°F (27°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marathon. In the autumn, Marathon often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. Marathon gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Marathon. Marathon usually gets more rain in October than Virginia Beach. Marathon gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marathon or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Marathon and Virginia Beach. Many travelers come to Marathon for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the winter for the cuisine.

Virginia Beach can get quite cold in the winter. Marathon is much warmer than Virginia Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Marathon averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

In Marathon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marathon usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during winter. Marathon gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marathon usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Marathon gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marathon or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Marathon as well as Virginia Beach. Many visitors come to Marathon in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Marathon is much warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marathon in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marathon this time of the year. In the spring, Marathon often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. Marathon gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun.

Marathon usually gets less rain in April than Virginia Beach. Marathon gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Marathon