A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America San Antonio vs. Alexandria for Old Town, Families, Attractions, and Couples

Should you visit San Antonio or Alexandria?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Antonio and Alexandria. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a cultural, colorful, and festive city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a quaint, historic, and charming city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

San Antonio and Alexandria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Antonio or Alexandria?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Alexandria than San Antonio. While San Antonio is larger than Alexandria, Alexandria has more sights and attractions for tourists. Alexandria is better known for its historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while San Antonio is more popular for its music. Alexandria is more touristy than San Antonio and is popular for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. Also, Alexandria is famous for Mount Vernon. San Antonio is well known for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks.

How is San Antonio different from Alexandria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Antonio or Alexandria?

Both San Antonio and Alexandria have excellent landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around San Antonio. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

Alexandria offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

Is the Food Better in San Antonio or Alexandria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both San Antonio and Alexandria can be an enjoyable experience.

San Antonio offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

Alexandria has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

Is San Antonio or Alexandria Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether San Antonio or Alexandria has a better nightlife scene.

San Antonio has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

If you're looking for night time activities Alexandria has a few options to choose from. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Is San Antonio or Alexandria Better for Music?

San Antonio is a good destination for its music scene. However, Alexandria is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in San Antonio. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Alexandria is not a live music destination.

Is San Antonio or Alexandria Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Alexandria offers plenty to see. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in San Antonio. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Is the Shopping Better in San Antonio or Alexandria?

Alexandria is a great destination for shopping. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Alexandria is an extremely popular place for shoppers. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting San Antonio. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.

Is San Antonio or Alexandria Better for Christmas?

San Antonio is a good destination for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Alexandria does not offer Christmas activities.

San Antonio worth visiting during the Christmas season. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.

Alexandria does not offer Christmas activities.

Is San Antonio or Alexandria Better for Families?

San Antonio is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, San Antonio is very family-friendly. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is San Antonio or Alexandria Better for Couples?

Alexandria is a great destination for romance. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Alexandria frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

San Antonio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.

Is San Antonio or Alexandria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alexandria is a good destination for backpackers. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

San Antonio is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While its not on most backpacker's lists, it does have a fun atmosphere and a social setting.

Is San Antonio or Alexandria Better for Students?

San Antonio is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit San Antonio. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

Alexandria is not popular with students.

Is San Antonio or Alexandria Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alexandria is an unbeatable place for its public transit. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Alexandria can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

Public transit is mostly limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

Is San Antonio or Alexandria a more walkable city?

Alexandria is an unbeatable place for its walkability. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Alexandria on foot is easy. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

San Antonio is generally not a very walkable city. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is San Antonio Worth Visiting? and Is Alexandria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alexandria or San Antonio?

How long in San Antonio or Alexandria?

It's fun to spend time in either San Antonio or Alexandria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Alexandria due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for San Antonio, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alexandria.

Families should spend more time in San Antonio than Alexandria. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Antonio, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Alexandria than San Antonio. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Alexandria that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alexandria than San Antonio 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 Alexandria.

One day in San Antonio or Alexandria?

With live music and food around the festive city of San Antonio, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint city of Alexandria. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

A weekend in San Antonio or Alexandria?

With food and shopping around the destination of San Antonio, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Alexandria. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in San Antonio or Alexandria?

San Antonio, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The historic city of Alexandria offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

A week in San Antonio or Alexandria?

San Antonio is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Alexandria. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Antonio and Alexandria, we can see that San Antonio is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 San Antonio would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Antonio than you might in Alexandria.

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

Which is Bigger, San Antonio or Alexandria?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the sizes of San Antonio and Alexandria, 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 San Antonio or Alexandria?

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 San Antonio or Alexandria in the Summer?

Both Alexandria and San Antonio during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year.

In July, San Antonio is generally a little warmer than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in San Antonio average around 87°F (31°C), and Alexandria fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Alexandria, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Antonio. In the summer, San Antonio often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. San Antonio gets 307 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 278 hours of full sun.

San Antonio usually gets less rain in July than Alexandria. San Antonio gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Antonio or Alexandria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Antonio and Alexandria. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Alexandria for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

San Antonio is much warmer than Alexandria in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Antonio averages around 73°F (23°C) in October, and Alexandria fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Antonio usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during autumn. San Antonio gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, San Antonio usually receives more rain than Alexandria. San Antonio gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Antonio or Alexandria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to San Antonio as well as Alexandria. Many travelers come to San Antonio for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Alexandria in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Alexandria can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, San Antonio is much warmer than Alexandria. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Antonio in January average around 54°F (12°C), and Alexandria averages at about 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, San Antonio often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. San Antonio gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 139 hours of full sun.

San Antonio usually gets less rain in January than Alexandria. San Antonio gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Antonio or Alexandria in the Spring?

Both Alexandria and San Antonio are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to San Antonio in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Alexandria for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, San Antonio is generally much warmer than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in San Antonio average around 74°F (23°C), and Alexandria fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Alexandria. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. San Antonio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Alexandria during spring. San Antonio gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Antonio usually receives less rain than Alexandria. San Antonio gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alexandria and San Antonio