Should you visit New Orleans or Lancaster?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between New Orleans and Lancaster can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
New Orleans
New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.
Lancaster
The largest city in Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, Lancaster is surrounded by scenic landscape and a unique culture. The area is predominately agricultural in nature and you will find lush farms growing crops and produce most seasons. The Amish communities are spread throughout the area and although they remain relatively isolated, they are acknowledged by fellow community members and their customs are respected. The Amish community prides themselves on minimalist living. They do not use electricity and travel around in horse and buggy, a sight which you will grow accustomed to while you're in the area. They are excellent farmers and craftsmen and you can find shops that proudly sell Amish made goods. Their close are old fashion in nature. Women generally wear long dresses and bonnets while men wear black suits and hats. The Amish community has their own churches and their own schools. There are a handful of places where you can learn more about the Amish community in the area. The Amish Experience F/X Theater offers shows and the People's Place Quilt Museum shows some handicrafts. It is possible to take an Amish Country tour or visit the Mennonite Information Center for more information.
Which city is cheaper, Lancaster or New Orleans?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in New Orleans is $191, while the average daily cost in Lancaster is $146. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for New Orleans and Lancaster in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $200 for a double occupancy room in New Orleans If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in Lancaster can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $73, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $146.
Local Transportation
To get around in New Orleans, the average visitor spends $41 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Lancaster's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $55 per person, per day on transportation in Lancaster.
Typical Local Transportation prices in New Orleans
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans
Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private transfer: New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans:
$622
-
LimoBus New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer:
$400
-
28 Passenger New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer:
$267
-
New Orleans Round Trip Airport Transfer:
$256
-
Private Roundtrip Transfer: MSY to Hotel or Cruise Port by Executive Sprinter:
$250
-
25 Passenger New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer:
$237
-
20 Passenger New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer:
$227
-
Private Transfer from Port Of New of New Orleans Cruise:
$210
-
14 Passenger New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer:
$203
-
11 Passenger Executive Van: New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer:
$197
-
Handicap New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer:
$139
-
One-Way Private New Orleans Arrival or Departure Transfer:
$135
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lancaster
Also for Lancaster, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private transfer: Lancaster to Lancaster Airport (LNS):
$622
-
Private Transfer from Lancaster to Manchester Airport (MAN):
$183
Is it cheaper to fly into New Orleans or Lancaster?
Prices for flights to both Lancaster and New Orleans 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
The average traveler spends about $36 per day in New Orleans for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
On average, meal and food prices in Lancaster cost around $42 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $17.
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Food
Meals for one day
New Orleans $36
Lancaster $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
New Orleans Cooking Class:
$34
-
New Orleans Lunch & Lesson: Cajun & Creole Cooking Class:
$35
-
French Quarter Food Tour:
$42
-
New Orleans Food Tour:
$44
-
Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option:
$50
-
Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Cruise with Optional Dinner:
$52
-
Dinner at Tujague's Restaurant in New Orleans:
$68
-
New Orleans French Quarter Food Tour:
$69
-
French Quarter Food Tour:
$75
-
New Orleans' Lower Garden Food Tour:
$75
-
French Quarter Food Tour:
$75
-
Lower Garden District Food Tour:
$75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lancaster
For Lancaster, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Private Walking Food Tour in Lancaster:
$48
Entertainment
In New Orleans, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $44 per person, per day.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Lancaster can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in New Orleans
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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2 Nights in French Quarter Hotel, City Tour and Attraction Pass:
$565
-
2-Hour French Quarter and Cemetery Tour:
$20
-
5 in 1 New Orleans Cemetery Tour:
$20
-
8-in-1 Combo Haunted Walking Tour in New Orleans:
$27
-
A Locals' Drink Dat! Cocktail Tour:
$120
-
A Locals' French Quarter Tour:
$120
-
A Taste of Jazz, Bars & Drinks Private Tour:
$108
-
A Walk in the Park: City Park New Orleans Audio Tour:
$5.34
-
Adults Only - Ghost, True Crime, Voodoo, & Vampire Tour:
$17
-
Adults Only Ghost, Voodoo, and Vampire Walking Tour:
$27
-
American Adventure: Uptown Bike Tour in New Orleans:
$50
-
Antique car chauffeured tour of New Orleans and/or transportation service:
$60
Tours and Activities in Lancaster
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lancaster.
-
Authentic Tour & Meal with an Amish Family!:
$65
-
Ghost Tour of Lancaster:
$18
-
Lancaster City VIP Restaurant Tour:
$75
-
Lancaster County: National Toy Train Museum Admission Ticket:
$7.50
-
Lancaster County: Tour and Meal with an Amish Family:
$75
-
Amish Experience Visit-in-Person Tour of 3 Farms:
$60
-
Evening Ghost Tour by Candlelight:
$18
-
Premium Amish Country Tour including Amish Farm and House:
$32
-
Sweet & Savory Tour of Lancaster City!:
$60
-
Truly Authentic Lancaster Experience!:
$59
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting New Orleans spend on average $48 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Lancaster, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $9.14.
Sample the Local Flavors in New Orleans
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:
-
New Orleans Bar Hunt: New Orleans Ballin' Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Big Easy Ghost and Vampire Pub Crawl:
$20
-
Haunted Pub Crawl in New Orleans:
$22
-
New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl:
$25
-
Haunted New Orleans Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
NOLA Distillery Tour:
$28
-
Pub Crawl & Historical Chronicles Walking Tour:
$30
-
Haunted Pub Tour:
$35
-
Frenchmen Street Live Music Pub Crawl:
$48
-
Frenchmen Street VIP Live Music Pub Crawl:
$49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New Orleans and Lancaster, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Lancaster much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lancaster would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lancaster 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans than you might in Lancaster.
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