Should you visit Tampa or Austin?
Should I visit Tampa or Austin? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Tampa
On the north shore of Tampa Bay, across the water from Saint Peterburg, is the city of Tampa. The city has a population of almost 350,000. The metropolitan area includes Tampa, St. Peterburg, and Clearwater. It has about 2.9 million residents and is the second largest metropolitan area in the state. The city is a popular destination for outdoor activities and in 2008 it was ranked the 5th best outdoor city by Forbes.
Austin
Located in the Texas Hill Country, Austin is the capital city of the state. It is a relatively small city with a compact downtown area and many sprawling suburbs stretching out along the interstate. Austin prides itself on its eclectic culture and alternative vibe which is epitomized by the city's unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird." The University of Texas at Austin is also located downtown. The school's large student population helps give the city a youthful feel with a lively nightlife and no shortage of activities on weekends. The city is also the self proclaimed live music capital of the country. As such, it has many music venues and bars, most of which are clustered around the 6th Street area downtown. There are also many free outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months.
Which city is cheaper, Austin or Tampa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Tampa is $119, while the average daily cost in Austin is $114. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Tampa and Austin in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $120 in Tampa For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
A hotel room in Austin is about $90 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Tampa cost around $35 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $14.
The average traveler spends about $28 per day in Austin for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Tampa $35
Austin $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Austin.
-
Austin Food Tour by Bus with Live Band On Board:
$93
-
Austin Beer and Food Tour by Bike:
$97
-
Private Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin:
$103
-
East Austin Urban Farms & Brewery Food Tour by Bike:
$106
-
Wood Fired Dinner Series at the Austin Winery:
$159
-
Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin w/ Private Tour Option:
$221
-
Secret Food Tour:
$288
Local Transportation
Tampa's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $38 per person, per day on transportation in Tampa.
The cost of a taxi ride in Austin is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $38 per person, per day, on local transportation in Austin.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Airport Transfer: Tampa International Airport (TPA) to Tampa:
$61
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Tampa to Tampa International Airport (TPA):
$44
-
Private Arrival Transfer - from Tampa Airport (TPA):
$32
-
Private Departure Transfer - to Tampa Airport (TPA):
$28
-
Private Tampa Area to Orlando Area Transfer up to 11 One Price Mercedes Sprinter:
$300
-
Private Tampa Transfer: Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port:
$113
-
Private Tampa Transfer: Cruise Port to Airport or Hotel:
$113
-
Private Tampa Transfer: Hotel to Airport or Cruise Port:
$113
-
Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Anna Maria Island:
$120
-
Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Bradenton:
$110
-
Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Land O' Lakes Florida:
$60
-
Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Sarasota:
$120
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:
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Transfer from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Austin:
$109
-
Private Departure Transfer to Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
-
Private Austin Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$114
-
Private Austin Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$128
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
-
Private Airport and Hotel Transfer Services in Austin:
$86
-
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport One Way Transfer:
$69
-
Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$187
-
Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$93
-
Austin City to Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) - Departure Private Transfer:
$93
Is it cheaper to fly into Tampa or Austin?
Prices for flights to both Austin and Tampa 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Tampa can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Entertainment and activities in Austin typically cost an average of $22 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Tampa
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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1 Hour Haunted History Walking Tour:
$23
-
Skip the Line: The Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay Ticket:
$26
-
Tampa Celebrity Homes Boat Tour:
$30
-
Tampa History Cruise:
$31
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1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa:
$31
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VIP Ghost Hunters Tour Semi Private:
$35
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Skip the Line: ZooTampa at Lowry Park Admission Ticket:
$45
-
Historic Ybor City Food and Drink Walking Tour:
$59
-
2-hour Tiki Boat BYOB Cruise in Tampa:
$60
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ZooQuarium 1-Day Ticket:
$60
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Adventure Island Water Park Ticket:
$63
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Tampa Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate:
$70
Typical Entertainment prices in Austin
Here are a few typical costs in Austin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Austin
Here are a few actual costs in Austin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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48-Hour Austin Hop-On Hop-Off Blue Line City Tour:
$45
-
Austin Biker Gang E-Bike Adventure:
$62
-
Austin Capital Photo Tour:
$21
-
Austin City Landmarks and Taco Tour by Bike:
$97
-
Austin Digital Private Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$11
-
Austin E-Bike Tour:
$69
-
Austin Electric Bike Tour: Let it Ride:
$71
-
Austin Electric Minibike Adventure Tour:
$77
-
Austin Famous Ghost and Bat Segway Tour:
$59
-
Austin Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate:
$81
-
Austin Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour:
$33
-
Austin Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour:
$30
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Tampa spend on average $20 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Austin may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $23 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Tampa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
-
Tampa Bar Hunt: Tampa Takeover Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Haunted Tampa Ghost and Pub Walking Tour - Ybor City:
$26
-
Private Tampa Brewery Tour - Party Bus:
$600
Sample the Local Flavors in Austin
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Austin:
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Austin Bar Hunt: Sixth Street Spree: Austin Bar Crawl:
$12
-
More than a Pub Crawl:
$24
-
Haunted Austin Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Brewery Tours through East Austin via Motorized Pedicab:
$40
-
Austin Pedicab Brewery Tour with Beer Flights Included Option:
$46
-
The Brew Bus: Austin Brewery Tour with Live Band:
$81
-
Half-Day Craft Beer and Brewery Tour:
$82
-
Private Texas Hill Country Half-Day Wine Tour from Austin:
$140
-
Texas Hill Country Wine Tour by Limousine:
$175
-
Customizable Austin Distillery and Brewery Tour:
$206
-
Half-Day Brewery and Craft Beer Tour in Austin with Tastings:
$240
When comparing the travel costs between Tampa and Austin, we can see that Tampa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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