Which place is cheaper, Saint Louis or Orlando?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Orlando or Saint Louis? 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.
Orlando is a family-friendly, entertaining, and active city. It's also known for shopping, theater, and nightlife.
Saint Louis is a under rated, unexpected, and fascinating city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.
Travelers will generally find more things to do in Orlando than Saint Louis. While Saint Louis is larger than Orlando, Orlando has more sights and attractions for tourists. Orlando is more popular for its theatre productions, food, and resorts, while Saint Louis is known for its museums. Orlando is more touristy than Saint Louis and is popular for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. It is also home to Disney World, Universal Studios, and the city's many amusement parks. Saint Louis is popular for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint Louis and Orlando. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Saint Louis is renowned for its historical sights. However, Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.
Travelers visit Saint Louis from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.
Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.
Orlando is a good destination for theatre. However, Saint Louis is not a theatre destination.
With some theater and performance venues, you might want to see a show in Orlando. The city has a number of local theaters that are fun to explore. As home to Disney World and Universal Studios, there are also a number of shows available that are affiliated with the parks.
Saint Louis is not a theatre destination.
Orlando is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Orlando makes for a great culinary experience. There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. You'll also find many restaurants at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs. Food can be expensive, and the quality can vary dramatically. Many people enjoy going to dinner shows as well. Restaurants can be challenging also, as reservations must be made months in advance.
Saint Louis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.
The vibe at night is good in both Orlando and Saint Louis.
If you're looking for night time activities Orlando has a few options to choose from. If you need a break from the kids, you'll find some of the best nightlife around Orlando at Disney Springs, Wall Street Plaza and Universal CityWalk.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint Louis. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.
Orlando is an amazing city to visit for its resorts. However, Saint Louis is not a resort destination.
Vacationers flock to Orlando for its luxury resorts. Disney World is famous for its many iconic resorts. Some of the most popular are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. There are also many resorts that aren't affiliated with the major theme parks. These tend to be more affordable, but transportation options to and from the park are limited. You'll also miss out on the perks that come with staying at a theme park resort.
Saint Louis is not a resort destination.
If you're looking to go shopping, Orlando and Saint Louis both offer plenty of superb spots.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Orlando. Shopping is a dream for any Disney enthusiast. There are countless malls and shops, both on and off the Disney grounds, that sell all of the Disney paraphernalia. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are the most famous areas. During the evenings, these areas can be very crowded, but during the day they're less popular as most people are at the theme parks.
Saint Louis is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.
Orlando is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas activities. However, Saint Louis does not offer Christmas activities.
During Christmas, Orlando is not to be missed. Christmas at Disney World is lots of fun. There are decorations and all kinds of seasonal activities around town.
Saint Louis does not offer Christmas activities.
Orlando is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
With a huge array of activities for kids, Orlando is very family-friendly. Known as a theme park capital, here you'll find the iconic Disney World, as well as Universal Studios, SeaWorld and many more. While most people spend their vacation at the Disney or Universal resorts, there is also an endless supply of less mainstream parks and activities in the area.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Louis is very family-friendly. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.
With fun activities for couples, both Orlando and Saint Louis make for a good place to visit.
Orlando is a nice destination for couples. While most people visit the area with family, there is a niche crowd that enjoys honeymooning or vacationing here as a couple. There are many beautiful restaurants and interesting activities that couples can enjoy together. This is the perfect trip for fun loving couples who don't take themselves to seriously.
Saint Louis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.
Orlando is a good destination for students. However, Saint Louis is not popular with students.
Orlando is popular with students. Most people don't think about education when they think about Orlando, but there are actually a diversity of internships and opportunities for students to learn in a fun setting.
Saint Louis is not popular with students.
Saint Louis is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its public transit.
Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Saint Louis. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.
Public transit is generally limited in Orlando. If you're staying at a Disney Property, there is excellent transportation around the complex, but otherwise, a car is essential.
Saint Louis is a popular place for its walkability. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.
Saint Louis is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.
Orlando is not a walkable city. The city is sprawling, so unless you stay on the Disney grounds, it's best to rent a car.
For even more information, also check out Is Orlando Worth Visiting? and Is Saint Louis Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Orlando and Saint Louis. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Louis than in Orlando. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Orlando, and 1-3 days is enough time in Saint Louis.
Families should spend more time in Orlando than Saint Louis. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Orlando, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Orlando than Saint Louis. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Orlando that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Louis than Orlando if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Saint Louis.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the entertaining city of Orlando. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
In Saint Louis, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.
You'll find food and shopping around the active destination of Orlando. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This city offers something for everyone. A weekend may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
In Saint Louis, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint Louis has to offer.
The entertaining city of Orlando offers shopping and theater. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
Saint Louis is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Orlando. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Louis. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Louis. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Orlando is $321, while the average daily cost in Saint Louis is $184. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Orlando and Saint Louis in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Orlando or Saint Louis? 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.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Orlando are as follows:
Also for Orlando, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Louis:
Prices for flights to both Saint Louis 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Orlando:
For Orlando, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Louis.
For Orlando, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Orlando.
Here are a few typical costs in Saint Louis for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Saint Louis for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Orlando:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Louis:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orlando and Saint Louis, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Saint Louis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Louis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Orlando Expensive? and Is Saint Louis Expensive?.
Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Orlando. When comparing the sizes of Orlando and Saint Louis, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Orlando as well as Saint Louis. Most visitors come to Orlando for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the family-friendly experiences.
Orlando is around the same temperature as Saint Louis in the summer. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Saint Louis fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
Orlando receives a lot of rain in the summer. Orlando usually gets more rain in July than Saint Louis. Orlando gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Saint Louis and Orlando are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Orlando because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year.
In the autumn, Orlando is much warmer than Saint Louis. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Orlando in October average around 75°F (24°C), and Saint Louis averages at about 60°F (16°C).
It's quite rainy in Orlando. In October, Orlando usually receives more rain than Saint Louis. Orlando gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Saint Louis and Orlando during the winter are popular places to visit. The Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Orlando this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Louis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Louis. In January, Orlando is generally much warmer than Saint Louis. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 59°F (15°C), and Saint Louis fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
Orlando usually gets more rain in January than Saint Louis. Orlando gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Orlando and Saint Louis.
Orlando is much warmer than Saint Louis in the spring. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 72°F (22°C) in April, and Saint Louis fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).
Saint Louis receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Orlando usually receives less rain than Saint Louis. Orlando gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Orlando | Saint Louis | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 59°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
Feb | 62°F (16°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
Mar | 67°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
Apr | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
May | 77°F (25°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 6.7 inches (171 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 7.2 inches (183 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
Oct | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Nov | 68°F (20°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |