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

Should you visit Duck Key or Palm Springs?

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 Palm Springs can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Duck Key or Palm Springs?

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.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a desert resort town located about two hours east of Los Angeles, most famously known as Hollywood's playground, where stars and starlets could escape for rest and relaxation but still be close enough to return for impromptu work.

It's no wonder that Palm Springs is increasingly popular as a weekend getaway for special occasions, and even for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Closer than the typical Las Vegas weekend for Southern California residents, Palm Springs provides a desert getaway with endless possibilities of activities, whether visitors want to gamble, shop, hike, or wander through an art gallery.

Climate in the high-desert is generally warm with highs in the 100s during the hot and dry summers, and lows in the mid 40s in the winter months, with sparse rainfall. However, if you're visiting during winter, be sure to pack versatile attire and layers as the days may be warm, but the nights in the low desert can get chilly enough to convince you to change into long pants.

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, Palm Springs 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
    Palm Springs Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Duck Key $175
    Palm Springs $244

The average daily cost (per person) in Duck Key is $175, while the average daily cost in Palm Springs is $244. 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 Palm Springs in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Duck Key $56
    Palm Springs $120
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Duck Key $112
    Palm Springs $240
Compare Hotels in Duck Key and Palm Springs

Looking for a hotel in Duck Key or Palm Springs? 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 Palm Springs


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: Palm Springs Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Duck Key $69
    Palm Springs $52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palm Springs

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palm Springs:

  • Private Transfer from PSP to Vía La Quinta, Indio, CA : $173
  • Private Airport Transfer in Palm Springs: $214
  • Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to Desert Hot Springs Arrival Transfer: $201
  • Desert Hot Springs to Palm Springs Airport PSP Departure Transfer: $201

Is it cheaper to fly into Duck Key or Palm Springs?

Prices for flights to both Palm Springs 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
    Palm Springs $92

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palm Springs

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palm Springs.

  • Private Palm Springs Cooking Class with a Fun Local Chef Stephen: $199

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Duck Key $30
    Palm Springs $29

Tours and Activities in Palm Springs

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palm Springs are as follows:

  • Palm Springs Windmill Guided Tour by Golf Cart: $55
  • 100+ Self-Guided Audio Tours: Driving & Walking Bundle: $100
  • All-In-One California Self-Guided Driving & Walking Bundle Tour: $50
  • Bombay Beach Salton Sea and Salvation Mountain Guided Art Tour: $225
  • Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ: $129
  • Death Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
  • Drag Queen Hosted Mobile Theater Palm Springs Sightseeing Tours: $125
  • Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bicycle Adventure: $149
  • Food Adventure Game: $99
  • French Bicycle Tour of Palm Springs: $152
  • Golf Cart Tour in a 6 Passenger Cart in Palm Springs California: $195
  • Guided Electric Motorbike Tour inside Joshua Tree National Park: $169

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Duck Key $7.99
    Palm Springs $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck Key and Palm Springs, we can see that Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Duck Key or Palm Springs?

Palm Springs has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Duck Key and Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs?

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 Duck Key or Palm Springs in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Duck Key as well as Palm Springs. Additionally, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Palm Springs this time of year.

In July, Duck Key is generally a little warmer than Palm Springs. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Palm Springs fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Duck Key usually gets more rain in July than Palm Springs. Duck Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Duck Key 84°F (29°C) 
    Palm Springs 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Duck Key or Palm Springs in the Autumn?

Both Palm Springs and Duck Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Palm Springs for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Duck Key is a little warmer than Palm Springs in the autumn. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Palm Springs fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

It's quite rainy in Duck Key. In October, Duck Key usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. Duck Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Duck Key 80°F (27°C) 
    Palm Springs 69°F (20°C)

Should I visit Duck Key or Palm Springs in the Winter?

Both Palm Springs and Duck Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Palm Springs in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Duck Key is a little warmer than Palm Springs. Typically, the winter temperatures in Duck Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Palm Springs averages at about 57°F (14°C).

Duck Key usually gets less rain in January than Palm Springs. Duck Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Duck Key 70°F (21°C) 
    Palm Springs 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Duck Key or Palm Springs in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck Key and Palm Springs.

In April, Duck Key is generally much warmer than Palm Springs. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Palm Springs fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In April, Duck Key usually receives less rain than Palm Springs. Duck Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.9 inches (24 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Duck Key 77°F (25°C) 
    Palm Springs 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Palm Springs and Duck Key

Duck Key Palm Springs
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2 inches (52 mm)
Feb 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm) 58°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Mar 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Apr 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm)
May 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
Jun 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 69°F (20°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Jul 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 74°F (24°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Sep 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm)
Oct 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 69°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Nov 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Dec 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)