Should you visit Orlando or Minneapolis?
Should I visit Orlando or Minneapolis? 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.
Minneapolis
Known as one of the Twin Cities with its neighbor, Saint Paul, the Minneapolis area is the second largest economic center in the Midwest, behind Chicago. Originally a city of lumber and flour milling, the city has grown to prosper in commerce, rail and trucking, health care, industry, education, publishing, milling, and food processing amongst others. In addition to housing the headquarters for five Fortune 500 Companies, Minneapolis is a city of thriving culture. From visual arts, music, and theater to sporting events and award-winning restaurants, the entertainment is never lacking.
Which city is cheaper, Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis is $164. 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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $88, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $176.
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 $32 per day in Minneapolis 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
Minneapolis $32
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 Minneapolis
For Minneapolis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Historic Northeast Minneapolis Food Tour:
$52
-
Private Dining: Mediterranean dinner in Minneapolis with local chef:
$89
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.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Minneapolis than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $34 on transportation in Minneapolis on average per day.
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:
-
Universal/North I-Drive Hotels to Orlando Airport Private Transfer:
$69
-
Universal Studios to Cruise Port Canaveral. Private Transfer Up to 10 pax:
$128
-
Universal Studios Resorts to Orlando Airport MCO. Private Transfer Up to 10 pax:
$58
-
Universal Studios Resort to Cruise Port Canaveral. Private Transfer up to 4 pax:
$112
-
Transfer to / from Miami Area and Ports:
$325
-
Transfer in private vehicle from Orlando downtown to Orlando Airport:
$55
-
Transfer in private vehicle from Orlando Airport to Orlando downtown:
$55
-
Transfer in private minivan from Orlando downtown to Orlando Airport:
$67
-
Transfer in private minivan from Orlando Airport to Orlando downtown:
$67
-
Transfer from Orlando to Cape Canaveral/Cruises/Cocoa Beach:
$98
-
Transfer from Orlando International Airport to Orlando:
$87
-
Transfer from Orlando International Airport to Central Florida:
$80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Minneapolis
Also for Minneapolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private transfer: Minneapolis to Minneapolis Airport (MSP):
$622
-
Minneapolis to Minneapolis Airport (MSP) - Departure Private Transfer:
$92
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Minneapolis Airport MSP:
$75
-
Private Departure Transfer to Minneapolis Airport MSP:
$75
Is it cheaper to fly into Orlando or Minneapolis?
Prices for flights to both Minneapolis 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 expenses in Minneapolis, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $21 per day, per person.
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.
-
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 Minneapolis
For Minneapolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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"Crooked" St. Paul Gangsters Private Riding Tour (2 hrs):
$325
-
City of Lakes Tour With An Interpreter In Minneapolis:
$179
-
Minneapolis & St. Paul Highlights Private Riding & Walking Tour (2 hrs):
$325
-
Minneapolis & St. Paul Highlights Private Riding & Walking Tour (3 hrs):
$425
-
Private 3-Hour Walking Tour of Paris during World War II:
$297
-
Romantic tour in Minneapolis:
$498
-
The Twin Cities St Paul Tour With An Interpreter:
$179
-
The best of Minneapolis walking tour:
$498
-
Walking Minneapolis Downtown & Skyways Private Tour (2 hrs):
$175
-
Walking Minneapolis Downtown Parks, Fountains & Sculpture Private Tour (2 hrs):
$175
-
Walking Minneapolis Mississippi River, Falls & Historic Mills Private Tour(2hrs):
$175
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.
Typically, people visiting Minneapolis spend on average $19 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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 Minneapolis
Also in Minneapolis, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
All Inclusive 3hr Craft Brewery Tour:
$82
-
Minneapolis Distillery Tour:
$87
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orlando and Minneapolis, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Minneapolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Minneapolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis.
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