A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Duck Key vs. Lancaster for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Duck Key or Lancaster?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Duck Key and Lancaster can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Duck Key or Lancaster?

Duck Key

If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.

Lancaster

The largest city in Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, Lancaster is surrounded by scenic landscape and a unique culture. The area is predominately agricultural in nature and you will find lush farms growing crops and produce most seasons. The Amish communities are spread throughout the area and although they remain relatively isolated, they are acknowledged by fellow community members and their customs are respected. The Amish community prides themselves on minimalist living. They do not use electricity and travel around in horse and buggy, a sight which you will grow accustomed to while you're in the area. They are excellent farmers and craftsmen and you can find shops that proudly sell Amish made goods. Their close are old fashion in nature. Women generally wear long dresses and bonnets while men wear black suits and hats. The Amish community has their own churches and their own schools. There are a handful of places where you can learn more about the Amish community in the area. The Amish Experience F/X Theater offers shows and the People's Place Quilt Museum shows some handicrafts. It is possible to take an Amish Country tour or visit the Mennonite Information Center for more information.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Lancaster or Duck Key?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Duck Key Prices
    USA Prices
    Lancaster Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Duck Key $175
    Lancaster $221

The average daily cost (per person) in Duck Key is $175, while the average daily cost in Lancaster is $221. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Duck Key and Lancaster in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Duck Key $56
    Lancaster $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Duck Key $112
    Lancaster $182
Compare Hotels in Duck Key and Lancaster

Looking for a hotel in Duck Key or Lancaster? 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.

Hotels in Duck Key


Hotels in Lancaster


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: Lancaster Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Duck Key $69
    Lancaster $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Duck Key or Lancaster?

Prices for flights to both Lancaster and Duck Key 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Duck Key $77
    Lancaster $91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lancaster

For Lancaster, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • International Food Tour Lancaster, PA: $62
  • Red Rose Walking Food Tour in Lancaster: $69
  • 3 Hour Retro Music Variety Show Dinner Theater: $75
  • Outdoor Cooking Class Activity with Customizable Recipes: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Duck Key $30
    Lancaster $19

Tours and Activities in Lancaster

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lancaster.

  • 45-Minute Private Guided Historic Walking Tour in Lititz: $12
  • Amish Experience SuperSaver Package: $35
  • Amish Experience Visit-In-Person Tour: $56
  • Amish Farm and House Day Tour from Washington D.C.: $169
  • Amish Farmlands Tour: $27
  • Authentic Tour & Meal with the Amish!: $89
  • Ghost Tour of Lancaster: $25
  • Guided Ghost Tour of Lititz: $12
  • Guided Tour of the Lititz 1792 Johannes Mueller House: $10
  • Historic Lancaster Photo Shoot Tour: $100
  • Lancaster History and Breakfast Walking Tour: $60
  • Lancaster Puzzling Adventure: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Duck Key $7.99
    Lancaster $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Lancaster

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lancaster:

  • Guided Brewery Walking Tour in Lancaster City: $79


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

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


Which is Bigger, Duck Key or Lancaster?

Lancaster has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Duck Key and Lancaster, 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 Duck Key or Lancaster?

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 Duck Key or Lancaster in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck Key and Lancaster. Also, many travelers come to Lancaster for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Duck Key is a little warmer than Lancaster. Typically, the summer temperatures in Duck Key in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Lancaster averages at about 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lancaster this time of the year. In Duck Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck Key usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during summer. Duck Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Duck Key usually receives less rain than Lancaster. Duck Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Duck Key 84°F (29°C) 
    Lancaster 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Duck Key or Lancaster in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Duck Key as well as Lancaster. Also, many visitors come to Lancaster in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Duck Key is generally much warmer than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 80°F (27°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In the autumn, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than Lancaster. Duck Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun.

Duck Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Duck Key usually gets more rain in October than Lancaster. Duck Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Duck Key 80°F (27°C) 
    Lancaster 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Duck Key or Lancaster in the Winter?

Both Lancaster and Duck Key are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Lancaster for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lancaster can be very cold during winter. Duck Key is much warmer than Lancaster in the winter. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Lancaster fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. Duck Key usually receives more sunshine than Lancaster during winter. Duck Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Duck Key usually receives less rain than Lancaster. Duck Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Duck Key 70°F (21°C) 
    Lancaster 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Duck Key or Lancaster in the Spring?

Both Lancaster and Duck Key during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Duck Key is much warmer than Lancaster. Typically, the spring temperatures in Duck Key in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Lancaster averages at about 53°F (12°C).

In Lancaster, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Duck Key. In the spring, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than Lancaster. Duck Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun.

Duck Key usually gets less rain in April than Lancaster. Duck Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Duck Key 77°F (25°C) 
    Lancaster 53°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Lancaster and Duck Key

Duck Key Lancaster
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Feb 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm) 33°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Mar 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
May 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jun 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Jul 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Aug 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Sep 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Oct 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Nov 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)