A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Miami vs. Sarasota for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Miami or Sarasota?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Miami and Sarasota can help you decide which place is right for you.

Miami

Miami is a popular tourist destination and a modern city in South Florida. It has beautiful white beaches, crystal blue waters, cosmopolitan neighborhoods, impressive shopping, and excellent dining opportunities. It is also a gateway to the Florida Keys, which is another popular destination in South Florida.

Miami is the second most populated city in Florida and the metropolitan area is the most populated in the state with more than 5.4 million people. It's also the 7th largest metro area in the country. The city sits between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Everglades to the west. It covers 110 miles north to south but is a narrow 20 miles east to west.

Miami sits at a low latitude, giving it a subtropical savannah climate. There are two seasons; the warm and dry season between November and April and the hot and wet season between May and October. The coldest months are between December and March when highs are in the upper 70 or low 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer months have highs in the upper 80s or 90s and lows in the mid 70s with high humidity.

Sarasota

Located on the Gulf Coast of southwest Florida, Sarasota is a popular city known for its thriving arts scene, selection of restaurants, plenty of shopping, and beautiful beaches. The metropolitan area is a hub of city culture, while the beaches offer escapes of fine white sand and aqua waters.

Which city is cheaper, Sarasota or Miami?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Miami is $165, while the average daily cost in Sarasota is $279. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Miami and Sarasota in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Miami $106
    Sarasota $166
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Miami $212
    Sarasota $332

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Miami $32
    Sarasota -
Typical Local Transportation prices in Miami

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Miami are as follows:


  • Car Rental for a Day
    $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Miami

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Miami:

  • Roundtrip transfer from Miami International Airport to Key West: $1,500
  • Private Transfer from Miami Cruise Port to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $913
  • Private Transfer from Miami Airport to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $913
  • Private Transfer from Miami City to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $913
  • Private Transfer from Miami City to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $871
  • Private Transfer from Miami Cruise Port to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $871
  • Private Transfer from Miami Airport to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $871
  • Private Miami to Orlando Transfer for up to 11 - One Price - Mercedes Sprinter: $799
  • Private Transfer from Miami Cruise Port to Port Canaveral: $790
  • Private Transfer from Miami City to Port Canaveral: $790
  • Private Transfer from Miami Airport to Port Canaveral: $790
  • Transfer from Miami Beach to Orlando: $780

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sarasota

Also for Sarasota, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Sarasota Airport SRQ: $32
  • Private Departure Transfer to Sarasota Airport SRQ: $32
  • Private Transfer from Sarasota to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $453
  • Private Transfer from Sarasota to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $615
  • Private Transfer from Sarasota to Port Canaveral: $658
  • Sarasota Airport to Hotel Private Transfer: $133
  • Sarasota Private Transfer - Hotel to Airport: $133
  • Sarasota to Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $112
  • Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota - Arrival Private Transfer: $112
  • Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $224

Is it cheaper to fly into Miami or Sarasota?

Prices for flights to both Sarasota and Miami 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Miami $33
    Sarasota $110
Typical Food prices in Miami

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Miami:


  • Lunch with Drinks (for 2)
    $45
  • David's Cafe Lunch (for 1)
    $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Miami

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Miami.

  • Little Havana Street Food Tours: $61
  • Haitian Cooking Experience: $85
  • Private Little Havana Cuban Food Tour: $99
  • Private VIP Historical Citywide Food Tour: $159

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sarasota

For Sarasota, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Downtown Walking Food Tour in Sarasota: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Miami $25
    Sarasota $9.08

Tours and Activities in Miami

Here are a few actual costs in Miami for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • "Cigar Factory Tour": $35
  • 1 Hour Private Helicopter Tour of Miami and South Florida: $518
  • 1-Day Key West Tour ( Miami Departure ) ( MIA1-B ): $138
  • 1-Day Miami+Everglades Naitonal Park Tour ( Miami Departure )( MIA1-A ): $80
  • 1/2 Hour Jet Ski Island Adventure: $5.00
  • 10-Day Surf Adventure from Brisbane to Sydney Including Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and Gold Coast: $2,371
  • 2 Hour Cycle Boat Tour: $50
  • 2-hour boat tour with Aquarius Boat Rental: $195
  • 3 Hour Private Sunset Sailboat Tour for up to 6 Complimentary beverages, snacks: $550
  • 3-hour tour with Aquarius Boat Rental: $248
  • 3.5-Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure: $35
  • 30 Minute Private Luxury Helicopter Sightseeing Tour of Miami: $299

Tours and Activities in Sarasota

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sarasota.

  • Public Art Tour: $39
  • Psychic Sunday Tour: $40
  • City Sightseeing Trolley Tour of Sarasota: $43
  • Tiki Trivia Trolley Tour with Local Performer and Guide: $43
  • Sightseeing Trolley Tour of Sarasota for Private Groups & Corporate Events: $45
  • Infamous Sarasota - Happy Hour City Trolley Tour: $46
  • Circus History Tour: $49
  • 90-Minute Narrated City Sightseeing Trolley Tour: $49
  • Sarasota Bay & Lido Key BEST Mangrove Kayak Tour: $50
  • Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Ecotour: $51
  • Paddleboard or Kayak Tour Through Mangrove Tunnels: $51
  • Kayak Tour through Mangrove Tunnels: $51

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Miami $18
    Sarasota -
Typical Alcohol prices in Miami

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Miami are as follows:


  • Evening at a Bar
    $32

Sample the Local Flavors in Miami

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Miami:

  • Making Your Own Gin Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience: $190

About these numbers

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

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Miami vs. Sarasota Travel Comparison

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