A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Orlando vs. Sarasota for Resorts, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Orlando or Sarasota?

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

Should I visit Orlando or Sarasota? 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

Orlando is a entertaining, active, and family-friendly city. Visitors also love the theater, nightlife, and food.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a underrated, relaxing, and entertaining city. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Orlando and Sarasota: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orlando or Sarasota?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Orlando than Sarasota. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Orlando is very popular for its theatre productions, food, resorts, and shopping, while Sarasota attracts visitors for its museums and beaches. Orlando is more touristy than Sarasota and is known for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. It is also well known for Disney World, Universal Studios, and the city's many amusement parks. Sarasota is famous for its sandy beaches and its fun activities.

How is Orlando different from Sarasota?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sarasota and Orlando. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orlando or Sarasota?

Sarasota is great for its historical sights. However, Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Sarasota offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Orlando or Sarasota Better for Theater?

Orlando is a good destination for its theatre productions. However, Sarasota is not a theatre destination.

If you have some extra time in Orlando, take in a show. 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.

Sarasota is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Orlando or Sarasota? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Orlando is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Orlando has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sarasota area. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

Is Orlando or Sarasota Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Orlando and Sarasota.

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 Sarasota. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

Is Orlando or Sarasota Better for Resorts?

Orlando is renowned for its luxury resorts. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

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.

Sarasota has a few great resort options. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Is Orlando or Sarasota Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a popular place for its beaches. However, Orlando is not a beach destination.

Sarasota is a good option for a beach vacation. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

Orlando is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orlando or Sarasota?

Orlando is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Orlando is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Sarasota to go shopping. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

Is Orlando or Sarasota Better for Christmas?

Orlando is renowned for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Sarasota does not offer Christmas activities.

With so many activities, Orlando is a top place to visit during Christmas. Christmas at Disney World is lots of fun. There are decorations and all kinds of seasonal activities around town.

Sarasota does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Orlando or Sarasota Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Orlando or Sarasota.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Orlando is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Sarasota is one of the most popular family destinations. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

Is Orlando or Sarasota Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Orlando and Sarasota make for a nice 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.

Sarasota makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

Is Orlando or Sarasota Better for Students?

Orlando is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Sarasota is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Orlando. 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.

Sarasota is not popular with students.

Is Orlando or Sarasota Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Orlando and Sarasota both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Orlando. If you're staying at a Disney Property, there is excellent transportation around the complex, but otherwise, a car is essential.

Public transit is generally limited in Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

Is Orlando or Sarasota a more walkable city?

Sarasota is adequate for its walkability. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

Sarasota is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

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 Sarasota Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sarasota or Orlando?

How long in Orlando or Sarasota?

In either Orlando or Sarasota, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Sarasota than Orlando because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Orlando, and 2-5 days is enough time in Sarasota.

Couples should spend more time in Orlando than Sarasota. 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.

One day in Orlando or Sarasota?

The city of Orlando offers food and shopping. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Sarasota, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Orlando or Sarasota?

Orlando is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Sarasota, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sarasota has to offer.

Five days in Orlando or Sarasota?

Orlando is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Sarasota is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sarasota has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Orlando or Sarasota?

Orlando is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sarasota. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sarasota. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Orlando Expensive? and Is Sarasota Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Orlando or Sarasota?

Orlando has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Orlando and Sarasota, 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.

When is the best time to visit Orlando or Sarasota?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Orlando or Sarasota in the Summer?

Both Sarasota and Orlando are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Orlando for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. It's quite rainy in Orlando. In July, Orlando usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sarasota. Orlando gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Orlando or Sarasota in the Autumn?

Both Sarasota and Orlando during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Orlando because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year.

In October, Orlando is generally around the same temperature as Sarasota. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 75°F (24°C), and Sarasota fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orlando. Orlando usually gets more rain in October than Sarasota. Orlando gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Orlando or Sarasota in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Orlando and Sarasota. 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 Sarasota for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Orlando is around the same temperature as Sarasota in the winter. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Sarasota fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In January, Orlando usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sarasota. Orlando gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Orlando or Sarasota in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Orlando as well as Sarasota. Also, many visitors come to Sarasota in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Orlando is around the same temperature as Sarasota. Typically, the spring temperatures in Orlando in April average around 72°F (22°C), and Sarasota averages at about 73°F (23°C).

Orlando usually gets more rain in April than Sarasota. Orlando gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Typical Weather for Sarasota and Orlando