Which place is cheaper, Niagara Falls or Philadelphia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Philadelphia or Niagara Falls?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Philadelphia or Niagara Falls, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Philadelphia or Niagara Falls?
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, Ontario sits on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, across the border from Niagara Falls, New York. Together these cities have claimed themselves to be the "Honeymoon Capital of the World" a status that is probably little more than a marketing ploy. That said, Niagara Falls, Ontario, is perhaps a quainter and more natural version of its American counterpart. The town has existed as a tourist destination for hundreds of years, with its main attraction, obviously, being Niagara Falls. Today, millions of visitors come to see the falls every year. It's truly an impressive sight, and there is no shortage of entertainment options while you're in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhiladelphia $188Niagara Falls $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Philadelphia is $188, while the average daily cost in Niagara Falls is $122. 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 Philadelphia and Niagara Falls in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhiladelphia $119Niagara Falls $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhiladelphia $238Niagara Falls $148
Compare Hotels in Philadelphia and Niagara Falls
Looking for a hotel in Philadelphia or Niagara Falls? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Philadelphia Hotel Prices and Niagara Falls Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Philadelphia $28Niagara Falls $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport (PHL) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $95
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
- Philadelphia City to Washington City - Private Car Transfer: $135
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL): Private Transfer to Philadelphia: $353
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Niagara Falls
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Niagara Falls:
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Niagara Falls Ontario to Toronto (YYZ) Airport: $159
- Transfer Niagara-on-the-Lake,Canada to Buffalo Niagara Int Airport (BUF): $107
- Transfer Niagara-on-the-Lake Canada to Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ: $160
- Transfer Niagara Falls, Canada to Toronto, Canada (Downtown): $178
- Transfer Niagara Falls, Canada to Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ: $160
- Transfer Buffalo Niagara International Airport BUF to Niagara-on-the-Lake,Canada: $107
- Transfer Buffalo Niagara International Airport BUF to Niagara Falls,Canada: $103
- Shared Airport Transfer: Buffalo Niagara International Airport to Niagara Falls NY: $99
- Round-Trip Private-Safe Transfer Between Buffalo Airport & Niagara Falls Canada: $262
- ROUNDTRIP Ground Transfer Buffalo Niagara Int Airport (BUF)-Niagara Falls Canada: $207
- Private-Safe Transfer from Niagara Falls, Canada to Buffalo Intl, Airport (BUF): $111
- Private Transfer: Niagara Int’l Airport (IAG) USA to Niagara Falls, ON: $194
Is it cheaper to fly into Philadelphia or Niagara Falls?
Prices for flights to both Niagara Falls and Philadelphia 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
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Food Meals for one dayPhiladelphia $49Niagara Falls $28
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $52
- Locals' Favorites Food Tour: $52
- Best of Philly Food Tour: $55
- Best of Philadelphia Food Tour-Small Group Walking Tour: $59
- Bites and Booze: Walking Food Tour in Philadelphia : $65
- Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $66
- 9th Street Italian Market Walking Food Tour: $69
- Secret Food Tour: $84
- Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $85
- Chef-Led Taste of the Italian Market Food Tour: $90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Niagara Falls
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Niagara Falls.
- The Wing Ride: The Hidden History of Chicken Wings Food Tour: $105
- Walking Food Tour in Niagara Falls: $108
- Niagara Falls Sightseeing Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $130
- Sunset Wine Tour with Dinner Niagara On The Lake: $146
- Guided Night Tour w/ Dinner & Hotel Transfer: $149
- Light up The Falls Small Group Tour with Fallsview Dinner: $155
- Evening Lights Tour with Skylon Tower Dinner: $177
- Sunset Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Dinner: $178
- Niagara Wine Tasting and three courses Dinner: $192
- Niagara Falls Evening Lights Tour With Skylon Tower Dinner: $192
- Night on Niagara Walking Tour with Fireworks Cruise + Dinner: $200
- Small Group Night Tour w/ Dinner & Light Show: $204
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Philadelphia $28Niagara Falls $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Philadelphia's Lost Waterfront: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
- Art and Controversy: An audio tour of Philadelphia's most infamous art scandals: $5.40
- Road to Revolution GPS Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
- The Road to Revolution: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Philadelphia: $8.99
- Philadelphia Self-Guided Audio Tour : $9.00
- Philadelphia In App Walking Audio Tour: $9.00
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Philadelphia by Operation City Quest: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $12
- National Liberty Museum Entrance Ticket: $12
- Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Fantastic Philadelphia Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Niagara Falls
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Niagara Falls are as follows:
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Maid of the Mist$37
Tours and Activities in Niagara Falls
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Niagara Falls are as follows:
- Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds Made in America Tour: $92
- Niagara Falls USA Winter Tour Cave, Tower, winery & Much More : $90
- Private Custom Niagara Falls, Canada Winery Tour from Buffalo,NY: $298
- 1 Hour Private Vineyard Dome Experience in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $45
- 30 Minute Niagara Falls Airplane Tour: $156
- 45 Minutes Whirlpool Tour in Niagara Falls: $32
- 7 Hour Niagara Falls USA Tour from Buffalo: $269
- All American Tour : $99
- All Attractions Niagara Falls American Tour with Boat Much More: $120
- All Inclusive Niagara Falls USA Tour W/Boat Ride,Cave & Much MORE: $126
- All Niagara Falls USA Tour Maid of Mist Boat & So Much More : $130
- All inclusive Niagara Evening Light Show, Boat Ride & Cave Tour: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhiladelphia $21Niagara Falls $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Guided Tour with Pub Crawl: $45
- Half-Day Philadelphia's Brewery Bike Tour with Tastings: $100
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $120
Sample the Local Flavors in Niagara Falls
Also in Niagara Falls, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation : $56
- Small Group Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tasting Tour: $96
- Sip, Swirl and Savour Chocolate & Wine Tour : $103
- Niagara Craft Brewery Tour Niagara Falls: $110
- 3.5 Hours NOTL E-Bike Wine Tour: $111
- Niagara All American All inclusive Boutique Wine Tour : $114
- Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour: $119
- Full-Day Group Wine Tour (with cheese and charcuterie) in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $141
- myWineCountry Experience Premium Wine Tours and Tastings: $148
- Relaxing three courses Lunch & Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $148
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Picnic Lunch: $149
- Luxury Buffalo Brewery Tour: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Philadelphia and Niagara Falls, we can see that Philadelphia is more expensive. And not only is Niagara Falls much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Niagara Falls would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Niagara Falls 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 Philadelphia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Philadelphia than you might in Niagara Falls.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Philadelphia Expensive? and Is Niagara Falls Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Philadelphia or Niagara Falls?
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Niagara Falls. When comparing the sizes of Philadelphia and Niagara Falls, 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 Philadelphia or Niagara Falls?
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.
Should I visit Philadelphia or Niagara Falls in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Philadelphia as well as Niagara Falls. Many visitors come to Philadelphia in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Philadelphia is around the same temperature as Niagara Falls in the summer. The daily temperature in Philadelphia averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Niagara Falls. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. In the summer, Philadelphia often gets less sunshine than Niagara Falls. Philadelphia gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 306 hours of full sun.
Philadelphia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Philadelphia usually gets more rain in July than Niagara Falls. Philadelphia gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhiladelphia 77°F (25°C)Niagara Falls 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Philadelphia or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?
Both Niagara Falls and Philadelphia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Philadelphia is a little warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Philadelphia in October average around 56°F (14°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about 12°C (54°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. Philadelphia usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during autumn. Philadelphia gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Philadelphia usually receives less rain than Niagara Falls. Philadelphia gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhiladelphia 56°F (14°C)Niagara Falls 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Philadelphia or Niagara Falls in the Winter?
Both Niagara Falls and Philadelphia during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Niagara Falls in the winter. The weather in Philadelphia can be very cold. In January, Philadelphia is generally much warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Philadelphia average around 30°F (-1°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).
In the winter, Philadelphia often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Philadelphia gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 89 hours of full sun.
Philadelphia usually gets more rain in January than Niagara Falls. Philadelphia gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhiladelphia 30°F (-1°C)Niagara Falls -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Philadelphia or Niagara Falls in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Philadelphia and Niagara Falls. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.
Philadelphia is a little warmer than Niagara Falls in the spring. The daily temperature in Philadelphia averages around 52°F (11°C) in April, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Niagara Falls this time of the year. In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Philadelphia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Niagara Falls during spring. Philadelphia gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Philadelphia usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Philadelphia gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhiladelphia 52°F (11°C)Niagara Falls 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Philadelphia
| Philadelphia | Niagara Falls | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | -4°C (26°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | -3°C (28°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 23°C (74°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 22°C (72°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 6°C (43°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | -0°C (31°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.