A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Orlando vs. Virginia Beach for Resorts, Families, Food, and Nightlife

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Should you visit Orlando or Virginia Beach?

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

Should I visit Orlando or Virginia Beach? 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.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled coastal city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and beaches.

How is Orlando different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Is Orlando or Virginia Beach better for Food?

Foodies will appreciated the dining options available in Orlando a bit more than Virginia Beach.

The food selection is excellent in Orlando. There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. Restaurants can be challenging though, as reservations must be made months in advance.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Virginia Beach. Seafood is plentiful around town. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.


Is Orlando or Virginia Beach better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is comparable in Orlando and Virginia Beach.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Virginia Beach has a few options to choose from. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Orlando or Virginia Beach better for Resorts?

Orlando tends to offer a wider variety of resorts than Virginia Beach.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Orlando is a great choice. 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.

With a selection of resorts, Virginia Beach makes a nice vacation spot. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Is Orlando or Virginia Beach better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Orlando or Virginia Beach.

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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Virginia Beach is very family-friendly. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches.

Is Orlando or Virginia Beach better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Orlando and Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk around Virginia Beach.


Is Orlando or Virginia Beach better for Public Transit?

Orlando and Virginia Beach both offer 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 quite limited in Virginia Beach.

Is Orlando or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Orlando and Virginia Beach are similar when it comes to walkability.

Orlando is not a very walkable city. The city is sprawling, so unless you stay on the Disney grounds, it's best to rent a car.

Virginia Beach is generally not a very walkable city. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

Orlando and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Orlando
Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Great resorts
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Virginia Beach
Pros
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Cons
  • Less popular for food
  • Not as many resort options


Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Orlando?

How long in Orlando or Virginia Beach?

Both Orlando and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than Orlando.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Orlando is 7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Virginia Beach is 5-7 days.


  • How many days in Orlando or Virginia Beach? Ideal Length of Stay
    Orlando 7 
    Virginia Beach 5-7

One day in Orlando or Virginia Beach?

In Orlando, you'll find theater and nightlife. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Virginia Beach, you'll find nightlife. This coastal 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 Virginia Beach?

Orlando is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Virginia Beach, you'll find nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.


Five days in Orlando or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Orlando. It's also a relaxing resort destination. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, five days is probably not enough time to see everything.

Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Orlando or Virginia Beach?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and theater when visiting the city of Orlando. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Virginia Beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Which city is cheaper, Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach is $104. 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 Virginia Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Orlando $112
    Virginia Beach $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Orlando $224
    Virginia Beach $120

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Orlando $48
    Virginia Beach $31
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:

  • 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

Typical Local Transportation prices in Virginia Beach

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:


  • Beach Parking
    $10

Is it cheaper to fly into Orlando or Virginia Beach?

Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach 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 $50
    Virginia Beach $25
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
    Virginia Beach $17
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.

  • 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
  • Clearwater Beach Deep Sea Fishing Adventure with Lunch: $149
  • Clearwater Beach Pirate Cruise Adventure with Lunch: $115
  • Clearwater Beach Speedboat Adventure with Lunch: $95
  • Clermont: Clay Shooting Experience: $102
  • Clermont: Trophy Bass Fishing Experience with Expert Guide: $294
  • Comb Jelly Bioluminescence Kayak Tour: $55

Tours and Activities in Virginia Beach

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.

  • All-Inclusive, Autumn Weekend Tour for GROUPS of 10-16: $5,901
  • RIDE ALONG GREEK GODS & AQUATISM *Certified Tours*: $75
  • Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $62
  • Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $62
  • Sunset Stand Up Paddleboard Tour of Linkhorn Bay: $41
  • Tour of Virginia Beach (half day), for GROUPS of 10-16: $499
  • Tour of Virginia Beach, for GROUPS of 10-16: $831
  • Haunted Walking Ghost Tour: $22
  • Wetland Zip Tour: $61

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Orlando $24
    Virginia Beach $8.51

Sample the Local Flavors in Orlando

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Orlando:

  • Florida Craft Beer & Brewery Tour: $65

About these numbers

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

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Orlando vs. Virginia Beach Travel Comparison

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