Should you visit Tampa or Las Vegas?
Should I visit Tampa or Las Vegas? 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.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas has long been the gambling capital of the United States. Known as "Sin City," it is a hot spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, but in recent years it has seen a dramatic increase in weddings and business conferences. It is the largest city in the state of Nevada and one of the most visited and well known cities in the country. It is located in the Mojave Desert in South Nevada and has a very arid climate with very hot and dry summers. The average high in July is 104 degrees Fahrenheit, but as many people like to say "its a dry heat." Winters are cooler and pleasant with highs around 60 degrees Fahrenheits. Snow is very rare but the surrounding mountains are often topped with snow during the winter months.
Which city is cheaper, Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas is $246. 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 Las Vegas 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.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $254 for a double occupancy room in Las Vegas.
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.
While meal prices in Las Vegas can vary, the average travelers spends about $64 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Las Vegas should cost around $26 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Las Vegas is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Tampa $35
Las Vegas $64
Typical Food prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of dining costs in Las Vegas are as follows:
-
Coffee
$5.00
-
Deep Fried Twinkie
$1.07
-
Chocolate Dip Banana
$1.07
-
Gelato
$5.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Las Vegas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Las Vegas.
-
Only On The Strip Food Tour:
$79
-
The "What The Frog?" Senor Frogs Dinner Package:
$80
-
Chinatown Vegan Food Tour:
$87
-
Downtown Vegan Food Tour:
$87
-
Walking Food Tour of Downtown Las Vegas:
$99
-
Evening Walking Food Tour on the Las Vegas Strip:
$103
-
Walking Food Tour of the Las Vegas Strip:
$103
-
Fremont Street Dinner Tour with Photographer:
$129
-
Secret Food Tours Las Vegas:
$131
-
Downtown Las Vegas Food Tour by Segway:
$149
-
Wild West Sunset Horseback Ride with Dinner from Las Vegas:
$150
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Las Vegas:
$156
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 Las Vegas is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $38 per person, per day, on local transportation in Las Vegas.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Departure Transfer - to Tampa Airport (TPA):
$28
-
Private Arrival Transfer - from Tampa Airport (TPA):
$32
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Tampa to Tampa International Airport (TPA):
$44
-
Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Land O' Lakes Florida:
$60
-
Private Airport Transfer: Tampa International Airport (TPA) to Tampa:
$61
-
Transfer from Tampa International Airport to Tampa:
$75
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$82
-
Tampa hotel or address to Tampa Airport (TPA) - Departure Private Transfer:
$82
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$83
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach - Arrival Private Transfer:
$83
-
Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Bradenton:
$110
-
Private Tampa Transfer: Cruise Port to Airport or Hotel:
$113
Typical Local Transportation prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Las Vegas are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Las Vegas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Las Vegas:
-
Transfer from McCarran International Airport to Las Vegas:
$75
-
Round-Trip Private Transfer Las Vegas Airport to Las Vegas City by Stretch Limo:
$150
-
Round-Trip Private Transfer Las Vegas Airport to Las Vegas City by SUV:
$110
-
Round-Trip Private Transfer Las Vegas Airport to Las Vegas City by Business Car:
$86
-
Round Trip McCarran Airport (LAS) Transfer to Las Vegas City Center:
$113
-
Private Transfer: McCarran International Airport (LAS) to Las Vegas:
$52
-
Private Transfer: Las Vegas - McCarran International Airport (LAS):
$52
-
Private Transfer from Las Vegas City to Las Vegas (LAS) Airport:
$95
-
Private Transfer from Las Vegas (LAS) Airport to Las Vegas City:
$95
-
Private Transfer Service in Las Vegas:
$95
-
Private Round-Trip Transfer between Las Vegas Center and Las Vegas Airport:
$84
-
Private One Way Transfer from McCarran Airport to Las Vegas Strip Hotels by SUV:
$115
Is it cheaper to fly into Tampa or Las Vegas?
Prices for flights to both Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas typically cost an average of $63 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:
-
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
-
1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa:
$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
-
ZooQuarium 1-Day Ticket:
$60
-
Adventure Island Water Park Ticket:
$63
-
Tampa Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate:
$70
Typical Entertainment prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Las Vegas are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Las Vegas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Las Vegas are as follows:
-
1 Hour Private Limo Photo Tour:
$343
-
1-Day Grand Canyon West Rim Sunset Tour:
$135
-
1-Day Hoover Dam - Lake Mead - Oatman Ghost Town Tour:
$291
-
1-Day Tour to Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend from Las Vegas:
$176
-
1.5-Hour BLACKOUT: Dining in the Dark Experience in Las Vegas:
$81
-
11 Day Best of the West National Parks Tour Las Vegas to San Francisco:
$2,151
-
15-Day Southwest Grand Circle Tour:
$6,000
-
2 Day Zion and Bryce in depth National Tour Camp or Lodge options:
$330
-
2 Hour Photo Tour by Luxury Rolls Royce:
$986
-
2 Hour Private Limo Photo Tour:
$549
-
2-Day Grand Canyon Tour from Las Vegas:
$330
-
2-Day Private Tour: Grand Canyon, Zion Canyon and Bryce Canyon from Las Vegas:
$1,198
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Tampa spend on average $20 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about $44 on alcoholic beverages in Las Vegas per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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 Las Vegas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Las Vegas:
-
Zombie Burlesque Comedy Musical Show Ticket:
$49
-
Zombie Burlesque at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino:
$49
-
The Weird, Wacky and Wonderful Bar Crawl of Fremont Street:
$89
-
Las Vegas Bar Crawl:
$90
-
Las Vegas Brewery Tour by Party Bus:
$103
-
Bar Crawl On Fremont Street:
$260
-
Small Group Pahrump Wine Tasting with Death Valley Sightseeing and Stargazing:
$295
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampa and Las Vegas, we can see that Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Las Vegas than you might in Tampa.
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