Should you visit Orlando or Chattanooga?
Should I visit Orlando or Chattanooga? 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.
Chattanooga
Located on the Tennessee River near the border of the U.S. state of Georgia, Chattanooga is Tennessee's fourth largest city and a major transportation hub. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its once dilapidated downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront, including the restoration of the historic Walnut Street Bridge.
Which city is cheaper, Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga is $145. 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 Chattanooga 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.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $73. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Chattanooga the cost is $146 on average.
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 Chattanooga travelers spend around $47 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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Orlando $50
Chattanooga $47
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:
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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 Chattanooga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chattanooga.
-
Small-Group Electric Bike Food Tour in Chattanooga:
$50
-
2-Hour Small Group Southern Cuisine Food Tour in Chattanooga:
$65
-
2-Hour Chattanooga Walking Food Tour:
$69
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.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $28 per day to get around in Chattanooga.
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
Typical Local Transportation prices in Chattanooga
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chattanooga:
-
Chattanooga Zoo (for 2)
$16
Is it cheaper to fly into Orlando or Chattanooga?
Prices for flights to both Chattanooga 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.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $42 per person, per day in Chattanooga. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
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
Tours and Activities in Chattanooga
Here are a few actual costs in Chattanooga for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Chattanooga "Awakening" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$29
-
Chattanooga "C-Block Prison Break" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$36
-
Chattanooga "Locker Room Lockdown: Mascot Rescue" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
-
Chattanooga "Secret Agent" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
-
Chattanooga "Speakeasy" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
-
Chattanooga "The Hunted" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
-
Chattanooga "The Inheritance Mystery Room" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$36
-
Chattanooga "Vaccine: Search For The Zombie Cure" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$36
-
Chattanooga Guided Electric Bike City Tour:
$80
-
Chattanooga Guided Party Bike Tour:
$26
-
Chattanooga Guided Walking Tour:
$23
-
Chattanooga Stand-Up Paddleboarding & Kayak Tour:
$75
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 Chattanooga may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $19 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 Chattanooga
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chattanooga:
-
Chattanooga Brewery Walking Tour with Beer Tastings:
$41
-
Half-Day Private Wine Tour in Chattanooga:
$159
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orlando and Chattanooga, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Chattanooga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chattanooga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga.
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