A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Daytona Beach vs. Phoenix for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Phoenix?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Phoenix? 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.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a lively, fun, and party-hard beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and live music. See Daytona Beach travel costs.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Phoenix travel costs.

Daytona Beach and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Daytona Beach or Phoenix?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Daytona Beach than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Daytona Beach is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, and big city activities, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, and shopping. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. It is also well known for The Daytona International Speedway. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Daytona Beach different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Daytona Beach or Phoenix?

Phoenix is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Phoenix. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Daytona Beach or Phoenix? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Phoenix is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Phoenix area. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Daytona Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Is Daytona Beach or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Daytona Beach is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Daytona Beach or Phoenix Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is a beach city with good options for its music scene. However, Phoenix is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Daytona Beach. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Phoenix Better for Resorts?

Daytona Beach is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Phoenix is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Daytona Beach as a resort destination, but it has a few places. Many resorts in the area focus more on affordability than luxury. The oceanfront hotels usually have nice beachfront pools and rooms with balconies and oceanfront views. You'll pay a bit more for the waterfront rooms.

Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

Daytona Beach is a beach city with good options for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Daytona Beach. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Daytona Beach is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix is a good destination for hiking. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Daytona Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Phoenix?

Phoenix is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for shopping.

Many visitors go to Phoenix to go shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Daytona Beach is a good destination for shopping. Souvenir shops and t-shirt shops are the main shopping you'll find in this area. The boardwalk is lined with gimmicky shops where you can pick up magnets or beach paraphernalia.

Is Daytona Beach or Phoenix Better for Families?

Phoenix is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its kid-friendly activities.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Daytona Beach is not always a place people visit with their families. Although it's best avoided during spring break, Daytona with kids can be fun when the crowds aren't too bad. There are water parks, surfing lessons, and of course the beach. The restaurants are usually family-friendly as well with many offering kid's menus and early opening hours.

Is Daytona Beach or Phoenix Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Daytona Beach and Phoenix make for a nice place to visit.

Daytona Beach is a good beach city for couples to visit. While romance isn't exactly what comes to mind when you first think of Daytona, couples who like to party and be out and about will enjoy a visit to Daytona Beach. There's plenty to do and some very great seafood restaurants in the area, so it's not hard to turn it into a couple's destination.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Daytona Beach or Phoenix Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

Daytona Beach is a very popular beach city for students. It's one of the original Spring Break destinations, and the trend continues. If you're a student looking to cut loose, you'll find plenty of likeminded vacationers in the area, with many bars and hotels catering specifically to the younger crowd.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Phoenix is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Public transit is quite limited in Daytona Beach. There's limited transportation options around town so you really must have a private vehicle. If you've been out drinking, you can call a taxi or an Uber.

Is Daytona Beach or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Phoenix is a moderate city for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

Daytona Beach is not a very walkable beach city. This area requires a car if you want to access restaurants, nightlife, or anything away from your hotel.

For even more information, also check out Is Daytona Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Phoenix Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Daytona Beach?

How long in Daytona Beach or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Daytona Beach and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Phoenix than in Daytona Beach. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Daytona Beach, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

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

Couples should spend more time in Phoenix than Daytona Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Phoenix that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Phoenix than Daytona 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 Phoenix.

One day in Daytona Beach or Phoenix?

In Daytona Beach, you'll find nightlife and live music. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This beach city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the sprawling destination of Phoenix. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Daytona Beach or Phoenix?

You'll find live music and nightlife around the lively destination of Daytona Beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phoenix. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Daytona Beach or Phoenix?

Daytona Beach is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the desert destination of Phoenix. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Daytona Beach or Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Daytona Beach. Many people enjoy the live music and nightlife when visiting Daytona Beach. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Phoenix. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Daytona Beach and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Daytona Beach. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach and Phoenix, 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 Daytona Beach or Phoenix?

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 Daytona Beach or Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Phoenix. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Daytona Beach is cooler than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

Daytona Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Phoenix in the Autumn?

Both Phoenix and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Daytona Beach for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Daytona Beach is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Daytona Beach in October average around 74°F (23°C), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

It's quite rainy in Daytona Beach. In October, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Daytona Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

In January, Daytona Beach is generally around the same temperature as Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Phoenix in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Phoenix. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year.

Daytona Beach is cooler than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 69°F (21°C) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In April, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Daytona Beach