A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Orlando vs. Columbia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Orlando or Columbia?

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

Should I visit Orlando or Columbia? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Orlando or Columbia?

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.

Columbia

Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.

Which city is cheaper, Columbia or Orlando?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Orlando is $255, while the average daily cost in Columbia is $0.00. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Orlando and Columbia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Orlando $123
    Columbia -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Orlando $246
    Columbia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Orlando and Columbia

Looking for a hotel in Orlando or Columbia? 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 Orlando


Hotels in Columbia


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Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Orlando Hotel Prices and Columbia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Orlando $53
    Columbia -
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 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 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
  • Orlando (MCO) Airport transfer to / from Orlando area hotels (One Way) Regular: $52
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Orlando Airport to Hotel: $53

Is it cheaper to fly into Orlando or Columbia?

Prices for flights to both Columbia 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Orlando $51
    Columbia $4.02
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
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Orlando $163
    Columbia -
Typical Entertainment prices in Orlando

For Orlando, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Universal Studios for Two
    $110

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
  • 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 Orlando Ticket: $25
  • Lost Caverns Adventure Golf: $29
  • Skip the Line: Indoor Kart Racing Experience Ticket: $32
  • The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures: $37

Tours and Activities in Columbia

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:

  • Cascade Locks: 1-Hour Columbia River Sightseeing Cruise: $50
  • Cascade Locks: Columbia Gorge Sunday Brunch Cruise: $94
  • Portland: Columbia Gorge Flight Tour: $99
  • Portland: Columbia River Gorge 3-Hour Small Group Tour: $85
  • Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199
  • Savannah: History & Ghosts Guided Tour with Beverage Stops: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Orlando $24
    Columbia $70

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 Columbia

Also in Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Savannah: Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $30

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orlando and Columbia, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Columbia.


When is the best time to visit Orlando or Columbia?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Orlando or Columbia in the Summer?

Both Columbia and Orlando during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Orlando because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Orlando is around the same temperature as Columbia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Orlando in July are around 82°F (28°C), and Columbia is about 82°F (28°C).

Columbia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Orlando. Orlando usually gets more rain in July than Columbia. Orlando gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Orlando 82°F (28°C) 
    Columbia 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Orlando or Columbia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Orlando and Columbia. The shopping scene are the main draw to Orlando this time of year.

In October, Orlando is generally a little warmer than Columbia. Temperatures in Orlando average around 75°F (24°C), and Columbia stays around 64°F (18°C).

Orlando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Orlando usually receives more rain than Columbia. Orlando gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Orlando 75°F (24°C) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Orlando or Columbia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Orlando as well as Columbia. Many travelers come to Orlando for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Orlando is much warmer than Columbia in the winter. The temperature in Orlando is usually 59°F (15°C) in January, and Columbia stays around 45°F (7°C).

Orlando usually gets less rain in January than Columbia. Orlando gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Orlando 59°F (15°C) 
    Columbia 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Orlando or Columbia in the Spring?

Both Columbia and Orlando are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Orlando is a little warmer than Columbia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Orlando in April are around 72°F (22°C), and Columbia is about 64°F (18°C).

In April, Orlando usually receives around the same amount of rain as Columbia. Orlando gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Orlando 72°F (22°C) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Typical Weather for Columbia and Orlando

Orlando Columbia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Feb 62°F (16°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 67°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 56°F (13°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Apr 72°F (22°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 64°F (18°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 77°F (25°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm) 82°F (28°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 6.7 inches (171 mm) 81°F (27°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 7.2 inches (183 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Oct 75°F (24°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 68°F (20°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Dec 62°F (17°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 48°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)


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Orlando vs. Columbia Travel Comparison

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