Should you visit Orlando or Austin?
Should I visit Orlando or Austin? 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.
Austin
Located in the Texas Hill Country, Austin is the capital city of the state. It is a relatively small city with a compact downtown area and many sprawling suburbs stretching out along the interstate. Austin prides itself on its eclectic culture and alternative vibe which is epitomized by the city's unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird." The University of Texas at Austin is also located downtown. The school's large student population helps give the city a youthful feel with a lively nightlife and no shortage of activities on weekends. The city is also the self proclaimed live music capital of the country. As such, it has many music venues and bars, most of which are clustered around the 6th Street area downtown. There are also many free outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months.
Which city is cheaper, Austin 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 Austin is $114. 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 Austin 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.
A hotel room in Austin is about $90 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
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.
The average traveler spends about $28 per day in Austin 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.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Orlando $50
Austin $28
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Austin.
-
Austin Food Tour by Bus with Live Band On Board:
$93
-
Austin Beer and Food Tour by Bike:
$97
-
Private Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin:
$103
-
East Austin Urban Farms & Brewery Food Tour by Bike:
$106
-
Wood Fired Dinner Series at the Austin Winery:
$159
-
Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin w/ Private Tour Option:
$221
-
Secret Food Tour:
$288
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 Austin is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $38 per person, per day, on local transportation in Austin.
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:
-
Busch Gardens Shuttle Transfer:
$299
-
Car Service Orlando International Airport Transfer To/From Hotel - One-Way:
$128
-
Cruise Port of Orlando to Orlando Airport (MCO) - Departure Private Transfer:
$80
-
Departure Private Transfer Orlando to Port Canaveral by Minibus:
$186
-
Departure Private Transfer Orlando to Port Canaveral by SUV:
$150
-
Disney World Resort to Cruise Port Canaveral. Private Transfer Up to 10 pax:
$128
-
Disney World Resort to Cruise Port Canaveral. Private Transfer Up to 4 pax:
$112
-
Disney World Resort to Orlando Airport MCO. Private Transfer Up to 10 pax:
$58
-
Disney World Resort to Orlando Airport MCO. Private Transfer Up to 4 pax:
$45
-
Disney World or Universal Studios transfer to Orlando Airport MCO up to 4 pax:
$45
-
Disney World to Sanford International Airport (SFB) - Departure Private Transfer:
$134
-
Disney/West 192 Hotels to Orlando Airport Private Transfer:
$133
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:
-
Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$187
-
Private Austin Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$128
-
Private Austin Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$114
-
Transfer from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Austin:
$109
-
Austin City to Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) - Departure Private Transfer:
$93
-
Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$93
-
Private Airport and Hotel Transfer Services in Austin:
$86
-
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport One Way Transfer:
$69
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
-
Private Departure Transfer to Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
Is it cheaper to fly into Orlando or Austin?
Prices for flights to both Austin 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 Austin typically cost an average of $22 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 Austin
Here are a few typical costs in Austin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Austin
Here are a few actual costs in Austin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
48-Hour Austin Hop-On Hop-Off Blue Line City Tour:
$45
-
Austin Biker Gang E-Bike Adventure:
$62
-
Austin Capital Photo Tour:
$21
-
Austin City Landmarks and Taco Tour by Bike:
$97
-
Austin Digital Private Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$11
-
Austin E-Bike Tour:
$69
-
Austin Electric Bike Tour: Let it Ride:
$71
-
Austin Electric Minibike Adventure Tour:
$77
-
Austin Famous Ghost and Bat Segway Tour:
$59
-
Austin Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate:
$81
-
Austin Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour:
$33
-
Austin Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour:
$30
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.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Austin may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $23 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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 Austin
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Austin:
-
Austin Bar Hunt: Sixth Street Spree: Austin Bar Crawl:
$12
-
More than a Pub Crawl:
$24
-
Haunted Austin Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Brewery Tours through East Austin via Motorized Pedicab:
$40
-
Austin Pedicab Brewery Tour with Beer Flights Included Option:
$46
-
The Brew Bus: Austin Brewery Tour with Live Band:
$81
-
Half-Day Craft Beer and Brewery Tour:
$82
-
Private Texas Hill Country Half-Day Wine Tour from Austin:
$140
-
Texas Hill Country Wine Tour by Limousine:
$175
-
Customizable Austin Distillery and Brewery Tour:
$206
-
Half-Day Brewery and Craft Beer Tour in Austin with Tastings:
$240
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orlando and Austin, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Austin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Austin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Austin 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 Austin.
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