Should you visit Orlando or Anchorage?
Should I visit Orlando or Anchorage? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Orlando
Orlando is a haven for tourists from the entire United States and abroad. The most famous sight in Orlando, Walt Disney World, is not actually located in the city at all, but in nearby Lake Buena Vista. The area attracts over 50 million visitors a year and the city's sprawling development has created amenities and entertainment options for tourists of all ages.
Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It's known for its cultural sites and also as a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains. From the sparkling waters of Cook Inlet to the tallest peaks of the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage encompasses incredible adventures and metropolitan appeals that are larger than life. With 1,500 moose, incredible national parks nearby and 60 glaciers a short drive away, it's a dream destination in Alaska.
Which city is cheaper, Anchorage or Orlando?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Orlando is $240, while the average daily cost in Anchorage is $153. 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 Orlando and Anchorage in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $224 in Orlando For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Anchorage is $186. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
The price of a meal in Orlando can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $50 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $20 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
In Anchorage travelers spend around $40 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Orlando $50
Anchorage $40
Typical Food prices in Orlando
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Orlando:
-
Lunch for Two at Epcot
$29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Orlando
For Orlando, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show, Orlando:
$34
-
The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show:
$34
-
Mango's Tropical Cafe Dinner & Show Tickets:
$50
-
Mango's Tropical Cafe Orlando Dinner and Show Ticket:
$50
-
The Rock Dinner Show in Orlando:
$51
-
Food Tour of Celebration:
$55
-
Pirates Dinner Adventure Orlando:
$57
-
Downtown Food Tour:
$60
-
WonderWorks and Outta Control Dinner Show VIP Combo:
$64
-
Audubon Park Garden District Food Tour:
$85
-
Cowboy Rodeo Adventure Tour & BBQ Dinner from Orlando:
$89
-
Dinner with Disney Characters by Limousine:
$119
Typical Food prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of dining costs in Anchorage are as follows:
-
Bread
$4.25
-
Breakfast for Two
$17
Local Transportation
To get around in Orlando, the average visitor spends $48 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.
The cost of a taxi ride in Anchorage is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $22 per person, per day, on local transportation in Anchorage.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Orlando
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Orlando are as follows:
-
Parking
$14
-
Taxi Ride
$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Orlando
Also for Orlando, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Orlando International Airport Shared Shuttle Transfers:
$15
-
Orlando Attractions Roundtrip Transfer:
$19
-
Private Departure Transfer to Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB):
$24
-
Private Arrival Transfer - from Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB):
$24
-
Shared Orlando Cruise Port Transfer: Airport to Port:
$32
-
Shared Orlando Cruise Port Transfer: Port to Airport:
$32
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Orlando to Orlando International Airport (MCO):
$39
-
Private Airport Transfer: Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Orlando:
$39
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Orlando Int. Airport (MCO) to Walt Disney World:
$39
-
Disney World or Universal Studios transfer to Orlando Airport MCO up to 4 pax:
$45
-
Disney World Resort to Orlando Airport MCO. Private Transfer Up to 4 pax:
$45
-
Orlando (MCO) Airport transfer to / from Orlando area hotels (One Way) Regular:
$52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Anchorage
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Anchorage:
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Seward Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$771
-
Private Transfer: Anchorage to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC):
$622
-
Private Transfer: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) to Anchorage:
$622
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Seward Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer:
$386
-
Private Transfer: Seward Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport (ANC):
$292
-
Private Transfer Anchorage Airport ANC to Seward Cruise Port:
$292
-
Private Transfer Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Whittier Cruise Port:
$209
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Anchorage accommodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$67
-
Private Departure Transfer - to Anchorage Airport (ANC):
$54
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC:
$54
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Anchorage accommodation - Arrival Private Transfer:
$34
-
Anchorage accommodation to Anchorage Airport (ANC) - Departure Private Transfer:
$34
Is it cheaper to fly into Orlando or Anchorage?
Prices for flights to both Anchorage and Orlando 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.
Entertainment
In Orlando, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $163 per person, per day.
Entertainment and activities in Anchorage typically cost an average of $24 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Typical Entertainment prices in Orlando
For Orlando, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Orlando
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Orlando.
-
A Walk Around Lake Eola Audio Tour:
$6.65
-
Port Canaveral Cruise shuttles:
$15
-
Port Canaveral Cruise shuttles:
$15
-
Chocolate Kingdom Factory Tour:
$18
-
Factory Adventure Tour in Chocolate Kingdom:
$18
-
Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens Admission Ticket:
$20
-
Orlando Walking Ghost Tour:
$20
-
1-Hour Haunted Walking Tour:
$23
-
Titanic - The Artifact Exhibition Ticket:
$24
-
Crayola Experience:
$24
-
Crayola Experience Orlando Ticket:
$25
-
Lost Caverns Adventure Golf:
$29
Typical Entertainment prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Anchorage are as follows:
-
1 Day Bike Rental
$33
-
1/2 Day Rafting Trip
$105
Tours and Activities in Anchorage
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Anchorage are as follows:
-
2 Hour eBike Adventure along Tony Knowles, Chester Creek Trails and Cook Inlet:
$120
-
30 Minute Flightseeing Tour from Girdwood:
$326
-
9 Day Alaska Wildlife Tour w. Bear+Whale Viewing, 2 Nat'l Parks, Boutique Hotels:
$5,985
-
Alaska 7-Day Brown Bears and Denali Adventure from Anchorage:
$5,899
-
Alaska Crafted Tour and Railroad Adventure:
$339
-
Alaska Helicopter Tour with Glacier Landing - 60 mins:
$390
-
Alaska Helicopter and Glacier Dogsled Tour:
$527
-
Alaska Native Historic Cultural City Tour of Anchorage:
$59
-
Alaska Wildlife Day Tour with Free Hotel Pickup:
$105
-
Alaska Wildlife Tour:
$99
-
Alaska: 7-Day Brown Bear and Denali National Park Adventure:
$5,899
-
Alyeska Tram - A Self-Guided Tour:
$99
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Orlando, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $24.
The average person spends about $16 on alcoholic beverages in Anchorage per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Orlando
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Orlando:
-
Florida Craft Beer & Brewery Tour:
$65
Sample the Local Flavors in Anchorage
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Anchorage:
-
Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings:
$115
-
Anchorage Bike and Brewery Tour:
$219
-
Alaska Brewery and Railroad Experience from Anchorage:
$349
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orlando and Anchorage, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Anchorage much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Anchorage would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Anchorage 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 Orlando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orlando than you might in Anchorage.
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