A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nassau vs. Oranjestad for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nassau or Oranjestad?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or Oranjestad, 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.

Where Should I go: Nassau or Oranjestad?

Nassau

There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.

As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.

Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.

Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas.


Which place is cheaper, Oranjestad or Nassau?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $227, while the average daily cost in Oranjestad is $337. 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 Nassau and Oranjestad in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nassau $108
    Oranjestad $188
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nassau $216
    Oranjestad $376
Compare Hotels in Nassau and Oranjestad

Looking for a hotel in Nassau or Oranjestad? 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.

Hotels in Nassau


Hotels in Oranjestad


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: Nassau Hotel Prices and Oranjestad Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nassau $32
    Oranjestad $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau

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


  • Water Taxi
    $7.99
  • Taxi to Cable Beach
    $25
  • Taxi from Airport
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:

  • Airport Transfer: $190
  • Airport Transfer Paradise Island: $40
  • Airport Transfers: $140
  • Bahamas Lynden Pindling Airport (NAS) Private Transfer to Nassau: $80
  • Chippies Airport/Hotel Transfers Transportation: $135
  • Custom Family and Small Group Transfers for Comfortable Journeys: $185
  • Luxury Airport Transfer in Nassau – VIP Mercedes Sprinter Service: $250
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $50
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $81
  • Nassau City Escape Transfer (One Way): $50
  • Nassau Private Airport & Cruise Port Transfer: $30
  • Nassau Roundtrip Airport Transfer to Paradise Island: $360

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Oranjestad

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Oranjestad:


  • Round-trip Bus Ticket
    $2.22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oranjestad

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oranjestad:

  • Reina Beatrix Airport: Round-Trip Shared Transfer: $22
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer from Aruba Airport to Hotel: $68
  • Aruba Oranjestad Queen Airport (AUA): Transfer to island: $130

Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or Oranjestad?

Prices for flights to both Oranjestad and Nassau 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
    Nassau $91
    Oranjestad $109

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau

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

  • Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
  • Nassau Sunset Dinner Cruise: $103
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise: $119
  • Dinner and Dancing: $130
  • All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $138
  • Experience Breakfast,Lunch or Dinner in the sky of Nassau Bahamas: $176
  • NEW! Authentic Bahamian Cooking and Cocktails with Transfers: $179

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nassau $37
    Oranjestad $91
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:


  • Jet Ski
    $50
  • 4 Hr Kayak Tour
    $70
  • 1/2 Day Snorkel Trip
    $75

Tours and Activities in Nassau

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:

  • Nassau Junkanoo Rum & Ramparts Self-Guided Audio GPS Walking Tour: $9.99
  • Audio Driving Tour Around St. Simons Island: $9.99
  • KINDWalk — Nassau Historical and Cultural Walking Tour: $10
  • Museum of Junkanoo Guided Tour and Entry Ticket: $11
  • Junkanoo Costume Workshop and Museum Tour: $35
  • Roundtrip Beach Shuttle from Nassau Cruise Terminal: $35
  • Nassau City Highlights Sightseeing Tour: $40
  • Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $45
  • Nassau Through Living History: Private Reflective Walking Tour: $48
  • Nassau Bahamas: Jetcar Excursion to Pig Island Tour $450: $50
  • Banana Boat Adventure: $50
  • Guided Walking Tour with Local Treats: $50

Typical Entertainment Prices in Oranjestad

Here are a few typical costs in Oranjestad for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Full Day Bike Rental
    $25
  • Horseback Riding Tour
    $70
  • Golf
    $124
  • Kayak & Snorkeling Tour
    $98

Tours and Activities in Oranjestad

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

  • Aruba: Guided Countryside Exploration Tour: $45
  • 3-Hour Aruba Highlights Guided Tour: $49
  • Half-Day Aruba Island Tour with Top Attractions: $55
  • Aruba: Beach Hopping Snorkeling Tour: $57
  • Meet the Animals of Aruba Tour: $57
  • Discover the Island of Aruba: 4-Hour Bus Tour & Snorkel: $59
  • Full-Day Aruba History and Landmarks Tour: $69
  • Aruba Downtown Historic And Cultural Walking Tour: $75
  • Sunset Party Bus tour with Champagne toast on the beach.: $77
  • Aruba: Natural Pool, Caves & Baby Beach Jeep Adventure: $89
  • Aruba: North Coast EZ Raider Adventure: $95
  • Mangel Halto and Baby Beach Snorkeling Tour: $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nassau $19
    Oranjestad $31
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau

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


  • Cocktail
    $6.49

Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:

  • Bottle Your Own at John Watling's Distillery: $20
  • Mixology Experience at John Watling's Distillery: $80
  • Rum Tasting Experience at John Watling's Distillery: $80


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

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


Which is Bigger, Nassau or Oranjestad?

Nassau has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Oranjestad. When comparing the sizes of Nassau and Oranjestad, 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.

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