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

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Should you visit Tampa or Hershey?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Hershey? 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 Hershey?

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.

Hershey

Often called "Chocolatetown, USA" and "The Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey, Pennsylvania is most known for being home to the famous Hershey's chocolates. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey, and has grown to sell products in over sixty countries worldwide. Before the town was named Hershey, it was called Derry Church and was the hometown of the chocolatier. While there are now manufacturing plants in many locations, Hershey, PA, remains the location that draws the crowds. It is the place where the Hershey Company originated and is home to attractions like Hershey Park, Hershey Gardens, and Hershey's Chocolate World.

Which city is cheaper, Hershey 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 Hershey is $170. 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 Hershey in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tampa $68
    Hershey $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tampa $136
    Hershey $182
Compare Hotels in Tampa and Hershey

Looking for a hotel in Tampa or Hershey? 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 Hershey


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 Hershey Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tampa $58
    Hershey $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa

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

  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Tampa or Hershey?

Prices for flights to both Hershey 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
    Hershey $49

Typical Food prices in Hershey

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hershey:


  • Frozen Hot Chocolate
    $4.19
  • Plain and Fancy Farm
    $46
  • Homemade Apple Butter
    $7.98

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tampa $15
    Hershey $43

Tours and Activities in Tampa

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

  • 1 Hour Haunted History Walking Tour: $23
  • Skip the Line: The Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay Ticket: $26
  • Tampa Celebrity Homes Boat Tour: $30
  • 1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa: $31
  • Tampa History Cruise: $31
  • VIP Ghost Hunters Tour Semi Private: $35
  • 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
  • Adventure Island Water Park Ticket: $63
  • Tampa Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate: $70
  • ZooQuarium 1-Day Ticket: $79

Typical Entertainment prices in Hershey

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


  • Hershey Chocolate World (for 3)
    $75

Tours and Activities in Hershey

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

  • Skip the Line: AACA Museum Admission Ticket: $13
  • Vegas: Taste, Explore & Shop Chocolate Tour: $109

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tampa $20
    Hershey $22

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


When is the best time to visit Tampa or Hershey?

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 Tampa or Hershey in the Summer?

Both Hershey and Tampa during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Hershey. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampa in July are around 82°F (28°C), and Hershey is about 77°F (25°C).

In Hershey, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the summer, Tampa often gets less sunshine than Hershey. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 310 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Hershey. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Tampa or Hershey in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Hershey. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year.

In October, Tampa is generally much warmer than Hershey. Temperatures in Tampa average around 75°F (24°C), and Hershey stays around 56°F (13°C).

In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Hershey during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tampa usually receives less rain than Hershey. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tampa 75°F (24°C) 
    Hershey 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Tampa or Hershey in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Hershey. Many travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the winter, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Hershey. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 153 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in January than Hershey. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Tampa or Hershey in the Spring?

Both Hershey and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. 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 Hershey. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampa in April are around 71°F (22°C), and Hershey is about 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Hershey. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Hershey during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Hershey. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tampa 71°F (22°C) 
    Hershey 53°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Hershey and Tampa

Tampa Hershey
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 60°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Feb 61°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 33°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Mar 67°F (19°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 71°F (22°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
May 77°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Oct 75°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Nov 68°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)


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Tampa vs. Hershey Travel Comparison

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