A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Virginia Beach vs. Fairbanks for Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Fairbanks?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach or Fairbanks, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a fun-filled, relaxing, and bustling coastal city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife and beaches.

Fairbanks

Fairbanks is a unique, outdoorsy, and remote city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and hiking.

Virginia Beach and Fairbanks: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Virginia Beach or Fairbanks?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Fairbanks. Although Virginia Beach and Fairbanks are both popular with visitors, Fairbanks has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Fairbanks is more popular for its skiing, museums, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Virginia Beach is known for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Virginia Beach is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe. Fairbanks is popular for its remote wilderness setting, access to the Arctic, unique winter sports, and popularity for seeing the northern lights. It is also home to The Northern Lights.

How is Virginia Beach different from Fairbanks?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Fairbanks and Virginia Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Virginia Beach or Fairbanks Better for Skiing?

Fairbanks is adequate for skiing. However, Virginia Beach is not a skiing destination.

Fairbanks is a fun local destination for snow skiers. The closest ski areas are the ski resorts of Fort Wainwright/Birch Hill, Moose Mountain and Skiland. The area also has dog mushing, snowshoeing, sledding, tubing and sleigh riding.

Virginia Beach is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Virginia Beach or Fairbanks?

Fairbanks is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Fairbanks offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city is mostly known for its outdoor activities, but you can also visit the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center, the Aurora Ice Museum, Fountainhead Auto Museum, the Museum of the North, and Pioneer Park.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Virginia Beach or Fairbanks? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Virginia Beach and Fairbanks.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Virginia Beach. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Fairbanks may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food can be expensive and of varying quality, but many restaurants use local meats and seafood. There's a surprising number of international restaurants in town as well. Also make sure you try the local specialties like reindeer sausage, Yukon gold potatoes, and Alaskan salmon.

Is Virginia Beach or Fairbanks Better for Nightlife?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Fairbanks is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Virginia Beach. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Fairbanks. You will find some bars around town, but for the most part, the city stays quiet at night.

Is Virginia Beach or Fairbanks Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Fairbanks is not a resort destination.

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Fairbanks is not a resort destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Fairbanks Better for Beaches?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for the beach. However, Fairbanks is not a beach destination.

Virginia Beach is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Fairbanks is not a beach destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Fairbanks Better for Hiking?

Fairbanks is great for hiking. However, Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Fairbanks for the hiking trails. While the town serves as a gateway to the Arctic and all that it has to offer, there are also hiking trails both in town and nearby. There are trails that connect the city's historic sites as well as day hikes that start at the edge of town.

Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Virginia Beach or Fairbanks?

Fairbanks is a nice place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Fairbanks. There are interesting local shops and boutiques that sell native Alaskan handmade items. You'll find "Made in Alaska" merchandise at many boutiques and souvenir shops. There are also larger retailers available in case you forgot clothing or other items at home.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Fairbanks Better for Families?

Virginia Beach is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Fairbanks is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Virginia Beach. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Fairbanks. Kids who enjoy searching for wildlife, playing in the snow, and exploring nature will love a visit to Fairbanks. Make sure you visit the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as well as Pioneer Park.

Is Virginia Beach or Fairbanks Better for Couples?

Virginia Beach and Fairbanks are both good to visit as a couple.

Virginia Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Fairbanks is a good coastal city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy hiking and nature will love a visit here. If you're hoping to see the northern lights, Fairbanks is your best destination in Alaska. Try to visit sometime between August to April for the best chance of enjoying the lights.

Is Virginia Beach or Fairbanks Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fairbanks is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Many backpackers visit Fairbanks. There are many outdoor recreation areas where backpackers can explore. Alaska, and Fairbanks in particular, can have very harsh conditions, so unless you know what you're doing, it's best to take a guide.

Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Fairbanks Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Fairbanks is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Virginia Beach. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

Fairbanks is not popular with students.

Is Virginia Beach or Fairbanks Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Virginia Beach or Fairbanks offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Fairbanks. There is a public bus system that connects the downtown area with the shopping areas and the university. However, you really can't rely on it to explore the region and you should have your own vehicle.

Is Virginia Beach or Fairbanks a more walkable city?

Virginia Beach is a decent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Fairbanks is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Virginia Beach is generally not a very walkable coastal city. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

Fairbanks is not a walkable coastal city. The city was built for cars and there are very few walkable areas around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Virginia Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Fairbanks Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Fairbanks or Virginia Beach?

How long in Virginia Beach or Fairbanks?

It's fun to spend time in either Virginia Beach or Fairbanks. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Virginia Beach, and 2-4 days is enough time in Fairbanks.

Families should spend more time in Virginia Beach than Fairbanks. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Virginia Beach, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Fairbanks than Virginia Beach if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Fairbanks.

One day in Virginia Beach or Fairbanks?

You'll find nightlife around the coastal city of Virginia Beach. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Fairbanks, you'll find museums and shopping. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Virginia Beach or Fairbanks?

You'll find nightlife around the bustling destination of Virginia Beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Fairbanks is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Virginia Beach or Fairbanks?

You'll find nightlife around the fun-filled coastal city of Virginia Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fairbanks. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Virginia Beach or Fairbanks?

Virginia Beach is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Virginia Beach, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Fairbanks. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Virginia Beach Expensive? and Is Fairbanks Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Fairbanks?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Fairbanks. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach and Fairbanks, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Virginia Beach or Fairbanks?

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 Virginia Beach or Fairbanks in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Virginia Beach and Fairbanks. Many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Fairbanks for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Virginia Beach is a little warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the summer temperatures in Virginia Beach in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Fairbanks averages at about 64°F (18°C).

Virginia Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Virginia Beach gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Fairbanks in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Virginia Beach as well as Fairbanks. Most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Fairbanks because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

The weather in Fairbanks can be very cold. In October, Virginia Beach is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 62°F (16°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 27°F (-3°C).

Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in October than Fairbanks. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Fairbanks in the Winter?

Both Fairbanks and Virginia Beach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the cuisine. Also, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Fairbanks this time of year.

It's quite cold in Fairbanks in the winter. The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. Virginia Beach is much warmer than Fairbanks in the winter. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 39°F (4°C) in January, and Fairbanks fluctuates around -9°F (-23°C).

In January, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Fairbanks in the Spring?

Both Fairbanks and Virginia Beach during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Fairbanks for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Fairbanks. In the spring, Virginia Beach is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the spring temperatures in Virginia Beach in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Fairbanks averages at about 32°F (0°C).

Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in April than Fairbanks. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Virginia Beach