A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tampa vs. Columbus for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Tampa or Columbus?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Columbus? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Tampa or Columbus?

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.

Columbus

The capital city of Ohio, Columbus sits at the meeting point of America's Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Plains. It is also home of Ohio State University, which is a major financial and economic force in the city. You'll likely need a car to navigate the city, although there is a bus system, COTA, which can take you to some of Columbus' highlights.

Which city is cheaper, Columbus or Tampa?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tampa is $136, while the average daily cost in Columbus 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tampa and Columbus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tampa $68
    Columbus $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tampa $136
    Columbus $116
Compare Hotels in Tampa and Columbus

Looking for a hotel in Tampa or Columbus? 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 Tampa


Hotels in Columbus


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: Tampa Hotel Prices and Columbus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tampa $58
    Columbus $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa

Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Tampa International Airport to Tampa: $75
  • Tampa hotel or address to Tampa Airport (TPA) - Departure Private Transfer: $82
  • Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $164
  • Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $82
  • Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $83
  • Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $167
  • Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $167
  • Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $83
  • Private Transfer from Tampa to Port Canaveral: $526
  • Private Transfer from Tampa to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $457
  • Private Transfer from Tampa to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $393
  • Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Sarasota: $120

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus

Also for Columbus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer: $87
  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $174
  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Tampa or Columbus?

Prices for flights to both Columbus 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tampa $34
    Columbus $39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tampa $15
    Columbus $37

Tours and Activities in Tampa

For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa: $31
  • 2-hour Tiki Boat BYOB Cruise in Tampa: $60
  • Adventure Island Water Park Ticket: $63
  • Bayshore Drive Motorbike Tour: $199
  • Bicycle Tour Orlando, Over Tampa Bay Ride: $150
  • Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Admission Ticket: $110
  • Historic Ybor City Food and Drink Walking Tour: $59
  • Motorcycle Tour of Sunshine Skyway Bridge: $299
  • Nature Coast Private Day Tour From Tampa with Photographer , Max Group of 4: $250
  • Orlando: Aquatica Water Park Admission Ticket: $128
  • Skip the Line: The Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay Ticket: $26
  • Skip the Line: ZooTampa at Lowry Park Admission Ticket: $45

Tours and Activities in Columbus

For Columbus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Central Park Bike Tour: $53
  • Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Ticket: $21
  • New York City: 3-Hour City Highlights Guided Bike Tour: $60
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tampa $20
    Columbus $16

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

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Tampa and Columbus, 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.


When is the best time to visit Tampa or Columbus?

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.

Should I visit Tampa or Columbus in the Summer?

Both Columbus and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tampa is a little warmer than Columbus. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampa in July are around 82°F (28°C), and Columbus is about 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbus. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbus during summer. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbus. It's quite rainy in Tampa. In July, Tampa usually receives more rain than Columbus. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tampa 82°F (28°C) 
    Columbus 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Tampa or Columbus in the Autumn?

Both Columbus and Tampa during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year.

In October, Tampa is generally much warmer than Columbus. Temperatures in Tampa average around 75°F (24°C), and Columbus stays around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the autumn, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 179 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets more rain in October than Columbus. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tampa 75°F (24°C) 
    Columbus 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Tampa or Columbus in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Columbus. Many travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine.

Columbus can get quite cold in the winter. Tampa is much warmer than Columbus in the winter. The temperature in Tampa is usually 60°F (15°C) in January, and Columbus stays around 30°F (-1°C).

In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during winter. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tampa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Columbus. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tampa 60°F (15°C) 
    Columbus 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Tampa or Columbus in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Columbus. Many visitors come to Tampa in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Tampa is much warmer than Columbus. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampa in April are around 71°F (22°C), and Columbus is about 54°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the spring, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 200 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in April than Columbus. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tampa 71°F (22°C) 
    Columbus 54°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Columbus and Tampa

Tampa Columbus
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 60°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Feb 61°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 33°F (1°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Mar 67°F (19°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 71°F (22°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
May 77°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 65°F (18°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm) 73°F (23°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm) 77°F (25°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) 69°F (20°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Oct 75°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Nov 68°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 35°F (2°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)


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Tampa vs. Columbus Travel Comparison

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