A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America San Antonio vs. Lancaster for Families, Attractions, Couples, and Food

Should you visit San Antonio or Lancaster?

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 Lancaster. 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 fun, historic, and cultural city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a scenic, traditional, and picturesque town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

San Antonio and Lancaster: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Scenic old town
  • Popular at Christmas
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in San Antonio or Lancaster?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Antonio than Lancaster. San Antonio is bigger than Lancaster, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Antonio is better known for its nightlife, music, and historical sights, while Lancaster is more popular for its shopping and impressive beauty. San Antonio is well known for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks. Also, San Antonio is famous for The Alamo. Lancaster is well known for its history and long running Amish community.

How is San Antonio different from Lancaster?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lancaster 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 Lancaster?

San Antonio
Lancaster

Both San Antonio and Lancaster have great 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.

Lancaster offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Filled with history and local culture, there are many educational opportunities in the area where you can learn about Amish traditions. The Amish Village has tours and unique experiences. The town also has James Buchanan's Wheatland, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, the Ephrata Cloister, and the National Watch & Clock Museum, among many others.


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

San Antonio
Lancaster

Dining out at restaurants in both San Antonio and Lancaster 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.

Lancaster has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You can sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes at one of the Amish restaurants in the area. Many places serve food family-style and dishes include chicken pot pie, ham balls, and pork and sauerkraut. Whoopie pies also originated in the area.

Is San Antonio or Lancaster Better for Nightlife?

San Antonio
Lancaster

San Antonio is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Lancaster is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities San Antonio has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Lancaster specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town, but you'll still find local pubs and cozy bars where you can enjoy a drink in a laid back atmosphere.

Is San Antonio or Lancaster Better for Music?

San Antonio
Lancaster

San Antonio is a nice place to visit for its music scene. However, Lancaster is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep San Antonio active and fun. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Lancaster is not a live music destination.


Is San Antonio or Lancaster Better for its Old Town?

San Antonio
Lancaster

San Antonio is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Lancaster does not have a historic old town.

San Antonio has an old town worth visiting. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Lancaster does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in San Antonio or Lancaster?

San Antonio
Lancaster

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

Lancaster is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Many visitors pick up hand-crafted Amish items while they're in town. Furniture and Amish quilts are particularly popular. Farmers markets and antique shopping are both unique in the area and there are also art galleries and several outlet stores that you can visit.

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 Lancaster Better for Christmas?

San Antonio
Lancaster

San Antonio is a nice place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Lancaster 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.

Lancaster does not offer Christmas activities.


Is San Antonio or Lancaster Better for Families?

San Antonio
Lancaster

San Antonio is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Lancaster is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

San Antonio is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. 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.

Lancaster is a very family-friendly place to visit. In you area you'll find farms and petting zoos, amusement parks, and train rides. They can learn about a unique lifestyle at the Amish Experience or soak up the local beauty and farmland in the surrounding countryside.

Is San Antonio or Lancaster Better for Couples?

San Antonio
Lancaster

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

Couples visit Lancaster frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This region is known for it's local beauty and serene farmland, making it a relaxing and peaceful destination for couples. There are walking trails, outdoor activities, buggy rides, and a variety of dining experiences. You can also stay at a bed and breakfast or local inn.

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 Lancaster Better for Students?

San Antonio
Lancaster

San Antonio is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Lancaster 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.

Lancaster is not popular with students.


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

San Antonio
Lancaster

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both San Antonio and Lancaster.

Public transit is generally 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Lancaster. The city has buses and several transportation options, but once you're outside of the urban core, your options are limited.

Is San Antonio or Lancaster a more walkable city?

San Antonio
Lancaster

San Antonio and Lancaster both are respectable when exploring on foot.

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

Lancaster is generally not a very walkable city. While the city itself has walkable areas, most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside, which requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Lancaster or San Antonio?

How long in San Antonio or Lancaster?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Antonio and Lancaster. In our opinion, San Antonio has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in San Antonio than Lancaster. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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


  • How many days in San Antonio or Lancaster? Ideal Length of Stay
    San Antonio 2-3 
    Lancaster 2-3

One day in San Antonio or Lancaster?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of San Antonio. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the picturesque town of Lancaster. 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 Lancaster?

You'll find live music and food around the historic destination of San Antonio. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the traditional destination of Lancaster. This town 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 Lancaster?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the colorful city of San Antonio. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The scenic town of Lancaster offers museums and food. 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 Lancaster?

San Antonio is a popular choice for travelers. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Lancaster. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Lancaster or San Antonio?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in San Antonio is $132, while the average daily cost in Lancaster is $183. 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 San Antonio and Lancaster in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Antonio $69
    Lancaster $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Antonio $138
    Lancaster $182
Compare Hotels in San Antonio and Lancaster

Looking for a hotel in San Antonio or Lancaster? 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.

Hotels in San Antonio


Hotels in Lancaster


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: San Antonio Hotel Prices and Lancaster Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Antonio $20
    Lancaster $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Antonio

Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Antonio are as follows:


  • Rental Car for a Day
    $60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Antonio

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Antonio:

  • Galveston: One-Way Transfer GLS Airport to City: $237
  • Private Round Trip Transfer - San Antonio International Airport (SAT): $93

Is it cheaper to fly into San Antonio or Lancaster?

Prices for flights to both Lancaster and San Antonio 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
    San Antonio $40
    Lancaster $53

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Antonio

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Antonio.

  • The Haunted Dinner Tour: $75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lancaster

For Lancaster, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • International Food Tour Lancaster, Pennsylvania: $62
  • Red Rose Walking Food Tour in Lancaster: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Antonio $36
    Lancaster $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Antonio

Here are a few typical costs in San Antonio for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Spa Treatments
    $200

Tours and Activities in San Antonio

Here are a few actual costs in San Antonio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3 Hours Private Historic Sightseeing Tour in San Antonio : $89
  • Alamo and San Antonio Quarry Helicopter Tour: $286
  • Best of San Antonio Small Group Tour with Boat + Tower + Alamo: $169
  • Cave Without a Name Admission Ticket with Guided Cavern Tour: $25
  • Downtown San Antonio Helicopter Tour: $197
  • Half-Day Afternoon City Tour of Historic San Antonio : $65
  • Half-Day Morning City Tour of Historic San Antonio: $65
  • Haunted San Antonio Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour: $37
  • Historic Downtown & Riverwalk Walking Tour: $39
  • Historic Missions Bike Tour - 2 Mission Southern Route: $65
  • Historic Missions Bike Tour - 2 Missions Northern Route: $65
  • Historic Spanish Missions Bike Tour - 3 Missions Tour: $85

Tours and Activities in Lancaster

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

  • Guided Tour of the 1792 Johannes Mueller House: $12
  • Guided Ghost Tour of Lititz: $12
  • 45-Minute Private Guided Historic Walking Tour in Lititz: $12
  • Historic Columbia, PA: Guided Tour of the Bank Museum: $14
  • Evening Ghost Tour by Candlelight: $25
  • Lititz Whiskey and History Tour : $25
  • Lancaster Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $25
  • Lancaster Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Lancaster County: Amish Farmlands, Museum Tour, Farm Visit: $36
  • Premium Amish Country Tour including Amish Farm and House: $36
  • Amish Experience SuperSaver Package: $47
  • Lancaster History and Breakfast Walking Tour: $57

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Antonio -
    Lancaster $11

Sample the Local Flavors in San Antonio

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Antonio:

  • Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
  • Death Warmed Over: San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Guided Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Taste of Fredericksburg Small-Group Wine Tour from San Antonio: $155

Sample the Local Flavors in Lancaster

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lancaster:

  • Guided Brewery Walking Tour in Lancaster City: $79
  • Lancaster City: The Ultimate Walking Craft Brewery Tour: $79


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

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 Lancaster Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Antonio or Lancaster?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Lancaster. When comparing the sizes of San Antonio and Lancaster, 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 Lancaster?

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 Lancaster in the Summer?

Both Lancaster and San Antonio during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to San Antonio in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lancaster for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, San Antonio is generally a little warmer than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in San Antonio average around 87°F (31°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

In Lancaster, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Antonio. In the summer, San Antonio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster. San Antonio gets 307 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun.

San Antonio usually gets less rain in July than Lancaster. San Antonio gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    San Antonio 87°F (31°C) 
    Lancaster 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit San Antonio or Lancaster in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Antonio and Lancaster. Most visitors come to San Antonio for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

San Antonio is much warmer than Lancaster in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Antonio averages around 73°F (23°C) in October, and Lancaster fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Antonio usually receives more sunshine than Lancaster during autumn. San Antonio gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, San Antonio usually receives more rain than Lancaster. San Antonio gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    San Antonio 73°F (23°C) 
    Lancaster 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit San Antonio or Lancaster in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to San Antonio as well as Lancaster. The winter months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lancaster in the winter. In the winter, San Antonio is much warmer than Lancaster. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Antonio in January average around 54°F (12°C), and Lancaster averages at about 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, San Antonio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster. San Antonio gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun.

San Antonio usually gets less rain in January than Lancaster. San Antonio gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    San Antonio 54°F (12°C) 
    Lancaster 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit San Antonio or Lancaster in the Spring?

Both Lancaster and San Antonio are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lancaster for the natural beauty.

In April, San Antonio is generally much warmer than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in San Antonio average around 74°F (23°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Lancaster. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. San Antonio usually receives less sunshine than Lancaster during spring. San Antonio gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Antonio usually receives less rain than Lancaster. San Antonio gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    San Antonio 74°F (23°C) 
    Lancaster 53°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Lancaster and San Antonio

San Antonio Lancaster
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 54°F (12°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Feb 57°F (14°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 33°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Mar 65°F (18°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 74°F (23°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
May 79°F (26°C) 4.4 inches (111 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jun 84°F (29°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Jul 87°F (31°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Aug 87°F (31°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Sep 82°F (28°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Oct 73°F (23°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Nov 64°F (18°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 56°F (13°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)