Should you visit Orlando or Memphis?
Should I visit Orlando or Memphis? 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.
Memphis
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee, Memphis is a city famous for the blues, soul, and Rock 'n' Roll music that originated there. There are a number of museums and historic landmarks like Elvis Presley's Graceland dedicated to that history, while areas of the city like Beale Street keep the musical culture alive today with a vibrant scene of bars, restaurants, and live music.
Which city is cheaper, Memphis 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 Memphis is $129. 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 Memphis 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 prices for places to stay in Memphis can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $67, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $134.
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 $39 per day in Memphis 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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Orlando $50
Memphis $39
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 Memphis
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Memphis:
-
Baskin Robins (for 2)
$6.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Memphis
For Memphis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Taste of Downtown Memphis Food Tour:
$64
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.
Memphis'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 $27 per person, per day on transportation in Memphis.
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:
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Private transfer from or to MIA FLL MCO airports and Orlando FL:
$1,000
-
Private Transfer from Orlando (MCO) Airport to Miami Beach:
$904
-
Private Transfer from Orlando (MCO) Airport to Miami City:
$871
-
Private Transfer from Orlando (MCO) Airport to Miami Cruise Port:
$871
-
Private Transfer from Orlando (MCO) Airport to Miami Airport:
$871
-
Private Transfer from Orlando (MCO) Airport to Saint Simons Island:
$871
-
Orlando Airport (MCO) to Miami Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$834
-
Orlando Airport (MCO) to Miami accommodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$834
-
Private Transfer from Orlando (MCO) Airport to Cape Coral:
$796
-
Private Transfer from Orlando (MCO) Airport to Fort Lauderdale:
$754
-
Private Roundtrip Transfer: Orlando to Clearwater Beach:
$750
-
Private Transfer from Orlando (MCO) Airport to Fort Myers:
$671
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Memphis
Also for Memphis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private transfer: Memphis to Memphis Airport (MEM):
$622
-
Private transfer: Memphis Airport (MEM) to Memphis:
$622
-
Memphis Airport (MEM) to Memphis City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$224
-
Memphis Airport (MEM) to Memphis City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$112
-
Memphis City to Memphis Airport (MEM) - Departure Private Transfer:
$112
-
Private Transfers: Memphis Airport:
$109
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Memphis Airport MEM:
$72
-
Private Departure Transfer to Memphis Airport MEM:
$72
Is it cheaper to fly into Orlando or Memphis?
Prices for flights to both Memphis 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.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Memphis can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $36 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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.
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1-Hour Airboat Sunset Tour (Seasonal):
$72
-
1-Hour Private Ski Boat Experience in Florida:
$69
-
2-Park 1-Day Universal Orlando™ Theme Park Tickets:
$174
-
2-Park 2-Day Universal Orlando™ Theme Park Tickets:
$275
-
8-Hour Automatic Polaris Slingshot SL Adventure Rental:
$193
-
A Walk Around Lake Eola Audio Tour:
$6.65
-
Central Florida Everglades Airboat Tour from Orlando:
$59
-
Central Florida Everglades and Safari Park Tour:
$129
-
Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens Admission Ticket:
$20
-
Chef Nite Dining Experience:
$150
-
City Tour of Orlando with Gospel Brunch:
$109
-
Clearwater Beach Deep Sea Fishing Adventure with Lunch:
$149
Tours and Activities in Memphis
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Memphis.
-
2.5 Hours Memphis African American History Caravan Guided Tour from Own Vehicle:
$56
-
Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure - Memphis:
$44
-
Beale Street Guided Walking Tour:
$12
-
City of Memphis Guided Bus Tour:
$31
-
Elvis Memories Sightseeing Tour with Lunch in Memphis:
$84
-
Elvis Presley Childhood Home Tour from Memphis:
$181
-
Haunted Memphis Walking Ghost Tour:
$16
-
Historic Memphis Guided Walking Tour:
$21
-
Lonely Planet Experiences: Private Walking Tour of Memphis:
$185
-
Memphis City Tour with Admission to 1 or 2 Memphis Attractions:
$108
-
Memphis City Tour with Sun Studio Admission:
$62
-
Memphis Cotton Museum Admission Ticket:
$10
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.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Memphis, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $21.
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 Memphis
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Memphis:
-
2-Hour Private Pedal Tavern Pub Crawl in Downtown Memphis:
$800
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orlando and Memphis, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Memphis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Memphis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Memphis 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 Memphis.
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