Is Sarasota expensive to visit?
Sarasota is a well-liked but higher-priced destination. It's generally considered to be a somewhat expensive destination, and our cost analysis agrees as the daily average travel price is $350. When compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place. It stands in the top 50% of cities in North America for its travel costs. This makes it comparable to Vail and Aspen.

Sarasota, Florida
How expensive is Sarasota?
For a trip to Sarasota, travelers spend on average $350 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Sarasota here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Sarasota?
On average, a weekend trip to Sarasota costs about $1,049 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $2,099.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Sarasota?
A one week trip to Sarasota costs about $2,448 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $4,897.
Is it expensive to backpack in Sarasota?
Sarasota has a very limited selection of hostels and budget accommodation, so it's not the first place that comes to mind for backpackers looking for social and cheap accommodations. This makes it hard at times to travel here as a backpacker, so you'll have to be resourceful to travel on a tight budget here. Low-cost hotels are always an option, as are guesthouses or couch surfing options. The difficulties in finding budget accommodation are especially tough for solo travelers who might need to pay for the full price of a hotel room on their own. Otherwise, you can save money here by finding free activities, eating at low-cost restaurants or cooking your own food, and using public transportation when available.
Are hotels expensive in Sarasota?
If you're considering hotel prices in Sarasota, you'll find them to be slightly more budget-friendly in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, a night in a hotel room here will set you back approximately $189. In Sarasota, there are about 1 five-star hotels with an average nightly rate of $495. For a more affordable option, three-star hotels come in at an average of $196 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical choice at $113 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Sarasota
Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
---|---|---|
5 stars | 1 | $495 |
4 stars | 4 | $264 |
3 stars | 24 | $196 |
2 stars | 20 | $113 |
1 star | 1 | $383 |
No rating | 9 | $278 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Sarasota?
In Sarasota, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $11 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $55.
- Robinson Preserve Mangrove Tour: $55
- The Island Tour: $65
- Kayak Paddling Experience at The Bay Park: $58
- Palmetto: Ghost and Haunted History Tour: $40
- Parasailing Adventure: $119
- Fly Above Water Adventure in Sarasota. A Must Experience!: $250
- Anna Maria Island Dolphin Sunset Boat Tour: $57
- Siesta Key Guided Eco Tour: $59
Is food expensive in Sarasota?
In Sarasota, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $238 per day on food, which is more than the country's average of $96.
- Downtown Sarasota Dinner Tour: $153
Is transportation expensive in Sarasota?
The prices of local transportation in Sarasota can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $0 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $46. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Sarasota
If you're planning a trip to Sarasota, Florida, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.