Which place is cheaper, Virginia Beach or Philadelphia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Philadelphia or Virginia Beach, 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.
Philadelphia is a historic, cultural, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.
Virginia Beach is a bustling, fun-filled, and relaxing coastal city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife and beaches.
You'll generally find more things to do in Philadelphia than Virginia Beach. Philadelphia is bigger than Virginia Beach, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Philadelphia is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Virginia Beach is more popular for its resorts and beaches. Philadelphia is well known for its diverse population, large number of universities, great restaurant and market scene, and its role in American history. Also, Philadelphia is famous for The Liberty Bell. Virginia Beach is well known for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Virginia Beach and Philadelphia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Philadelphia is terrific for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.
The museums and tourist attractions in Philadelphia are world-renowned. The city has a rich history with a number of museums and monuments. Popular sites around the city include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Jewish American History.
Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.
Philadelphia is great for its theatre productions. However, Virginia Beach is not a theatre destination.
Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Philadelphia. There are major Broadway shows as well as smaller venues. Head to The Avenue of the Arts along Broad Street for a popular stretch of theaters.
Virginia Beach is not a theatre destination.
Philadelphia is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Philadelphia has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It has grown into a well-recognized food destination. It's diversity of cultures and residents have influenced the restaurant scene and you'll find many great places to dine covering a number of international flavors. The city is famous for its Philly cheesesteak and roast pork sandwich. You can also grab some local favorites at Reading Terminal Market.
Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.
Philadelphia is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.
Many people head to Philadelphia for the nightlife scene. The city's nightlife scene carries late into the evening with many rooftop and outdoor beer gardens. Most of the clubs and bars are found in the downtown area and you'll find places to dance, listen to live music, or sip a trendy cocktails.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Virginia Beach. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.
Philadelphia is great for its live music scene. However, Virginia Beach is not a live music destination.
The music scene in Philadelphia draws a good crowd. The city's diverse music scene includes jazz, rock, and hip hop.
Virginia Beach is not a live music destination.
Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Philadelphia is not a resort destination.
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.
Philadelphia is not a resort destination.
Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Philadelphia is not a beach destination.
Virginia Beach has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.
Philadelphia is not a beach destination.
Philadelphia is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Virginia Beach does not have a historic old town.
Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Philadelphia. The Old City has a number of Colonial-era sites including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House.
Virginia Beach does not have a historic old town.
Philadelphia is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Philadelphia is well-known for its shopping. With all items tax-free, this city is a great place to shop. It has many boutique shops as well as name brand stores and shopping areas. For a local vibe, head to Reading Terminal Market.
Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Philadelphia is great for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Virginia Beach does not offer Christmas activities.
Philadelphia is a very popular destination during Christmas. There are a number of holiday events, light shows, and festivals during the holiday season.
Virginia Beach does not offer Christmas activities.
Philadelphia is a nice place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Virginia Beach does not offer Christmas markets.
Philadelphia has Christmas markets worth visiting. The city has its own German style Christmas market at Love Park and City Hall. It hosts over 80 vendors.
Virginia Beach does not offer Christmas markets.
Philadelphia and Virginia Beach are both superb destinations for the whole family.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Philadelphia is very family-friendly. The city has many museums and a fascinating history that is interesting to kids and adults alike. Popular activities include a zoo and Sesame Place. Kids also love the hands-on Please Touch Museum.
Virginia Beach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.
Philadelphia and Virginia Beach are both notable to visit as a couple.
Philadelphia makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Like many large cities, it is a fun place to explore in the evening as a couple. This is also a great foodie destination with great markets, food trucks, and diverse restaurants that reflect the city's diverse population.
Virginia Beach is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.
Philadelphia is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.
It's common for backpackers to visit Philadelphia. There are a few good hostels for backpackers and budget travelers to choose from.
Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.
Philadelphia is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for students.
Philadelphia is a great city to visit as a student. With its many universities and diverse population, this city is a great place for international students.
Virginia Beach is a good city to visit for students. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.
Philadelphia is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.
The public transit in Philadelphia can get you around easily. The system includes a subway, trolleys, buses, and a commuter rail.
Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.
Philadelphia is terrific for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.
Philadelphia is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old City is particularly walkable, as is Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.
Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.
For even more information, also check out Is Philadelphia Worth Visiting? and Is Virginia Beach Worth Visiting?.
Both Philadelphia 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 in Philadelphia. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Philadelphia, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.
Families should spend more time in Philadelphia than Virginia Beach. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Philadelphia, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Philadelphia than Virginia Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Philadelphia that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Philadelphia than Virginia Beach 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 Philadelphia.
Because Philadelphia is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
In Virginia Beach, many people enjoy the nightlife that this fun-filled coastal city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
Philadelphia is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.
Virginia Beach is a fun place to experience. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Philadelphia. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
In Virginia Beach, many people enjoy the nightlife that this relaxing destination offers. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the city of Philadelphia. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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.
Virginia Beach is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Philadelphia is $188, while the average daily cost in Virginia Beach is $126. 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 Virginia Beach in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Philadelphia or Virginia Beach? 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.
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:
Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach 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.
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Philadelphia and Virginia Beach, we can see that Philadelphia 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 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 Virginia Beach.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Philadelphia Expensive? and Is Virginia Beach Expensive?.
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Virginia Beach. When comparing the sizes of Philadelphia and Virginia Beach, 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 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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Philadelphia and Virginia Beach. The summer months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.
Philadelphia is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Philadelphia averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach during summer. Philadelphia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.
Virginia Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Philadelphia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Philadelphia usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Philadelphia gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Philadelphia as well as Virginia Beach. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Philadelphia is cooler than Virginia Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Philadelphia in October average around 56°F (14°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 62°F (16°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. In the autumn, Philadelphia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach. Philadelphia gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun.
Philadelphia usually gets less rain in October than Virginia Beach. Philadelphia gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Virginia Beach and Philadelphia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Philadelphia for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the winter for the cuisine.
Virginia Beach can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Philadelphia. In January, Philadelphia is generally much colder than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Philadelphia average around 30°F (-1°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).
Philadelphia usually receives less sunshine than Virginia Beach during winter. Philadelphia gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Philadelphia usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Philadelphia gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Virginia Beach and Philadelphia during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Philadelphia in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
Philadelphia is cooler than Virginia Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Philadelphia averages around 52°F (11°C) in April, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. In the spring, Philadelphia often gets less sunshine than Virginia Beach. Philadelphia gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun.
Philadelphia usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Virginia Beach. Philadelphia gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Philadelphia | Virginia Beach | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
Mar | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 49°F (10°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Apr | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
May | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.7 inches (145 mm) |
Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) |
Sep | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
Oct | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |