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

Should you visit Nassau or San Francisco?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?

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.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, San Francisco or Nassau?

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

  • Nassau Prices
    Bahamas Prices
    San Francisco Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Nassau $227
    San Francisco $251

The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $227, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $251. 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 San Francisco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nassau $108
    San Francisco $130
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nassau $216
    San Francisco $260
Compare Hotels in Nassau and San Francisco

Looking for a hotel in Nassau or San Francisco? 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 San Francisco


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 San Francisco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nassau $32
    San Francisco $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau

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


  • Water Taxi
    $8.01
  • Taxi to Cable Beach
    $25
  • Taxi from Airport
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:

  • Nassau Roundtrip Airport Transfer to Paradise Island: $360
  • Nassau Roundtrip Transfer by Limousine to Paradise Island: $335
  • Round Trip Airport to/from Hotel Private Transfers: $301
  • Round-Trip Private Transfer: $300
  • Nassau Airport or Port Round-Trip Transfer with Grocery Stop: $270
  • Private Roundtrip Luxury SUV Transfer to Downtown Nassau: $267
  • Private Roundtrip Luxury SUV Transfer to Cable Beach: $267
  • Private Roundtrip Luxury SUV Transfer: $267
  • Nassau Private SUV Airport Transfer with Grocery Stop: $200
  • Airport Transfer: $190
  • Private Roundtrip Sedan Airport Transfer to Eastern District: $185
  • Private Nassau Airport and Port Transfer (1 way): $180

Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Francisco

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


  • Taxi to SFO
    $45
  • Golden Gate Bridge Toll
    $6.00
  • Alcatraz Tour
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco

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

  • SFO Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $31
  • Private Transfer From or To San Francisco SFO Airport: $39
  • San Francisco Airport (SFO) to San Francisco - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
  • San Francisco Airport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 passengers: $63
  • San Francisco Airport (SFO) to San Francisco Private Transfer: $66
  • San Francisco City: Private One-Way Transfer From/To SFO: $69
  • One Way Private Airport Transfer Service: $95
  • SFO Airport Private Transfer to/from Downtown San Francisco: $101
  • San Francisco Airport (SFO) to San Francisco - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $103
  • Private Airport Transfer: SFO ⇄ San Francisco Downtown: $115
  • SFO Airport Private Transfer to Downtown: $115
  • Private Transfer: San Francisco to Airport SFO by Business Car: $118

Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or San Francisco?

Prices for flights to both San Francisco 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
    San Francisco $79

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau

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

  • Nassau Sunset Dinner Cruise: $103
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise: $119
  • Dinner and Dancing: $130
  • Flavors of Nassau Food Tour: $135
  • 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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco

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

  • City Cruises Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $75
  • Mission District Street Art and Food Tour: $79
  • North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour: $84
  • Little Italy & Chinatown Original Food Tour: $84
  • Mission District Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $84
  • Chinatown & Litte Italy Food Tour with 5 Dishes: $85
  • The Mission District Food Tour with 5 Local Dishes: $85
  • San Francisco : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $92
  • Melting Pot of the Mission District Food Tour: $93
  • Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 Food Tour: $99
  • Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39 Food Tour - Includes Full Meal, 3 hrs: $115
  • Mission District Food Tour: Appetizers, Entrée and Dessert: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nassau $37
    San Francisco $31
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:

  • 1.5 Hour Bahamas Special City Tour and Nassau City Tour Package: $250
  • 3 Hour ATV Tour of New Providence with Water and Local Desserts: $190
  • 3 Hour Hop On Hop Off Tour in Nassau: $35
  • 3 Hour Smart Eco Segway Adventure in Nassau: $99
  • 3 Islands Tour Swim with Pigs Turtles Snorkeling and Lunch: $175
  • 3 Islands Tour, Swim with Pigs, Turtles, Snorkelling & lunch: $175
  • A Thrilling ATV Adventure Exploring Nassau Bahamas: $270
  • ATV Guided Historical Site Tours Nassau: $120
  • ATV Half Day City Tour in Guided Tour With Free Samples: $200
  • Atv Guided Tours Nassau Bahamas: $250
  • Audio Driving Tour Around St. Simons Island: $9.99
  • Bahamas Adventure: Pigs, Reef, Turtles, and Beach with Lunch: $299

Tours and Activities in San Francisco

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

  • Self-Guided Golden Gate Bridge Bike or Walking App Tour: $5.00
  • Golden Gate Bridge: Self-guided Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
  • Downtown San Francisco Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
  • San Francisco’s Full city 2 Day Hop on Hop off Bus tour: $5.00
  • Coit Tower Hike Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
  • San Francisco Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
  • Podcast Tour The Fortune Cookie Mystery: $5.47
  • San Francisco Chinatown Fortune Cookie Audio Walking Tour: $5.47
  • Historical San Anselmo: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Podcast Tour Rushes, Busts, and Skyward Dreams: $6.84
  • Self-Guided Podcast Tour San Francisco Chinatown Rebuilt: $6.84
  • Chinatown, Food and Culture Self-guided Audio Tour: $6.99

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nassau $19
    San Francisco $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau

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


  • Cocktail
    $6.50

Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:

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

Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:

  • Private Self Guided Tour and Bar Crawl in Chinatown San Francisco: $8.99
  • #1 San Francisco Pub Crawl & Clubbing Experience: $24
  • Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • San Francisco Pub Crawl & Clubbing Experience: $32
  • Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco: $44
  • Walk with Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $44
  • Castro Bar Crawl in San Francisco: $49
  • Wine Tasting on the Bay: $85
  • Distillery Gin Cocktail Making Class: $89
  • Local Distillery Cocktail Making Class: $89
  • Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour with Optional Tasting: $99
  • Napa & Sonoma Guided Wine Tour with Tastings from San Francisco: $110


When comparing the travel costs between Nassau and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Nassau is in Caribbean Islands and San Francisco is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Nassau or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nassau. When comparing the sizes of Nassau and San Francisco, 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 Nassau or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Nassau experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Nassau or San Francisco in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nassau as well as San Francisco. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.

In July, Nassau is generally much warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 28°C (82°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Nassau receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nassau usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Nassau gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nassau 28°C (82°F) 
    San Francisco 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Nassau or San Francisco in the Autumn?

Both San Francisco and Nassau are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Nassau is a little warmer than San Francisco in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nassau averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Nassau. In October, Nassau usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Nassau gets 184 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nassau 26°C (79°F) 
    San Francisco 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Nassau or San Francisco in the Winter?

Both San Francisco and Nassau during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to San Francisco in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Nassau is much warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nassau in January average around 21°C (70°F), and San Francisco averages at about 50°F (10°C).

Nassau usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Nassau gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nassau 21°C (70°F) 
    San Francisco 50°F (10°C)

Should I visit Nassau or San Francisco in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nassau and San Francisco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nassau year-round. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Nassau is generally much warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 23°C (74°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Nassau usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Nassau gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nassau 23°C (74°F) 
    San Francisco 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Nassau

Nassau San Francisco
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 51 mm (2 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Feb 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 22°C (72°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Apr 23°C (74°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 58°F (14°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
May 25°C (77°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 60°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 27°C (80°F) 237 mm (9.3 in) 62°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 63°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 211 mm (8.3 in) 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 66°F (19°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 184 mm (7.2 in) 63°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Nov 24°C (75°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Dec 22°C (71°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)