Which city is cheaper, Wisconsin Dells or Tampa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tampa vs. Wisconsin Dells for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Tampa or Wisconsin Dells?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tampa or Wisconsin Dells? 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 Wisconsin Dells?
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.
Wisconsin Dells
Located in central Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells offers natural beauty, fun rivers, and some of the area's most famous theme parks. Wisconsin Dells is one of the two towns that make up "The Dells." The other town, Lake Delton, is another popular Midwestern tourist spot.
Wisconsin Dells is about an hour north of Madison and two hours from Milwaukee. It's famous for its striking rock formations and scenic bluffs. The town's name comes from the Dells of the Wisconsin River, which is an impressive gorge that was originally formed by a glacier.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTampa $136Wisconsin Dells $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Tampa is $136, while the average daily cost in Wisconsin Dells 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tampa and Wisconsin Dells in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTampa $68Wisconsin Dells $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTampa $136Wisconsin Dells $112
Compare Hotels in Tampa and Wisconsin Dells
Looking for a hotel in Tampa or Wisconsin Dells? 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.
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 Wisconsin Dells Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tampa $58Wisconsin Dells $28
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 Wisconsin Dells?
Prices for flights to both Wisconsin Dells 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
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Food Meals for one dayTampa $34Wisconsin Dells $34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tampa $15Wisconsin Dells $37
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
Tours and Activities in Wisconsin Dells
Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour Guided WildThing Jet Boat Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $31
- City and History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $24
- Haunted History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $25
- Wisconsin Dells 1 Hour Land & Water Duck Tour: $31
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTampa $20Wisconsin Dells $7.31
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampa and Wisconsin Dells, we can see that Tampa is more expensive. And not only is Wisconsin Dells much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wisconsin Dells would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wisconsin Dells 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 Tampa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampa than you might in Wisconsin Dells.
When is the best time to visit Tampa or Wisconsin Dells?
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 Wisconsin Dells in the Summer?
Both Wisconsin Dells 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 July, Tampa is generally a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Temperatures in Tampa average around 82°F (28°C), and Wisconsin Dells stays around 74°F (24°C).
In Wisconsin Dells, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the summer, Tampa often gets less sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 309 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Wisconsin Dells. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTampa 82°F (28°C)Wisconsin Dells 74°F (24°C)
Should I visit Tampa or Wisconsin Dells in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Wisconsin Dells. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year.
Tampa is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the autumn. The temperature in Tampa is usually 75°F (24°C) in October, and Wisconsin Dells stays around 52°F (11°C).
In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 171 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Tampa usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTampa 75°F (24°C)Wisconsin Dells 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Tampa or Wisconsin Dells in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Wisconsin Dells. Many travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine.
Wisconsin Dells can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Tampa is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tampa in January are around 60°F (15°C), and Wisconsin Dells is about 19°F (-7°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 Wisconsin Dells. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 141 hours of full sun.
Tampa usually gets more rain in January than Wisconsin Dells. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTampa 60°F (15°C)Wisconsin Dells 19°F (-7°C)
Should I visit Tampa or Wisconsin Dells in the Spring?
Both Wisconsin Dells 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 April, Tampa is generally much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Temperatures in Tampa average around 71°F (22°C), and Wisconsin Dells stays around 49°F (10°C).
It's quite sunny in Wisconsin Dells. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 208 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Wisconsin Dells. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTampa 71°F (22°C)Wisconsin Dells 49°F (10°C)
Typical Weather for Wisconsin Dells and Tampa
| Tampa | Wisconsin Dells | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 19°F (-7°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Feb | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Mar | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 49°F (10°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| Oct | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Nov | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
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