A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Gainesville vs. Valdosta for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Gainesville or Valdosta?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Valdosta, 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.

Where Should I go: Gainesville or Valdosta?

Gainesville

Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.

Valdosta

Valdosta is a fast-growing city located in Southern Georgia in the United States. With a humid, subtropical climate, Valdosta is sometimes called the Azalea City, as the blossoms thrive in the area. The city is also home to many museums, galleries, restaurants, and venues for entertainment, as well as Valdosta State University.

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


Which place is cheaper, Valdosta or Gainesville?

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

  • Gainesville Prices
    USA Prices
    Valdosta Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Gainesville $267
    Valdosta $169

The average daily cost (per person) in Gainesville is $267, while the average daily cost in Valdosta is $169. 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 Gainesville and Valdosta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gainesville $115
    Valdosta $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gainesville $230
    Valdosta $140
Compare Hotels in Gainesville and Valdosta

Looking for a hotel in Gainesville or Valdosta? 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 Gainesville


Hotels in Valdosta


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: Gainesville Hotel Prices and Valdosta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gainesville $39
    Valdosta $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Gainesville or Valdosta?

Prices for flights to both Valdosta and Gainesville 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
    Gainesville $121
    Valdosta $77
Typical Food Prices in Gainesville

Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:


  • Diner Breakfast for Two
    $17
  • Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)
    $24

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gainesville $43
    Valdosta $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gainesville

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:


  • Manatee Tour for Two
    $98
  • Tour Guide Tip
    $5.00

Tours and Activities in Gainesville

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

  • 2 Hour Guided Clear Glass Bottom Kayak Tour Gilchrist Blue Spring: $60
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gainesville $49
    Valdosta $27


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

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


Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Valdosta?

Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Valdosta. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville and Valdosta, 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 Gainesville or Valdosta?

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 Gainesville or Valdosta in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Valdosta. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Gainesville is around the same temperature as Valdosta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gainesville in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Valdosta averages at about 82°F (28°C).

It's quite rainy in Valdosta. Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville usually gets less rain in July than Valdosta. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Valdosta receives 8.9 inches (227 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gainesville 81°F (27°C) 
    Valdosta 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Valdosta in the Autumn?

Both Valdosta and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Gainesville for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Gainesville is generally around the same temperature as Valdosta. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 71°F (22°C), and Valdosta fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

In October, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Valdosta. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Valdosta receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gainesville 71°F (22°C) 
    Valdosta 69°F (20°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Valdosta in the Winter?

Both Valdosta and Gainesville during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Gainesville is a little warmer than Valdosta in the winter. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 54°F (12°C) in January, and Valdosta fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in January than Valdosta. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Valdosta receives 3.7 inches (95 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gainesville 54°F (12°C) 
    Valdosta 51°F (11°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Valdosta in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Valdosta.

In the spring, Gainesville is around the same temperature as Valdosta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gainesville in April average around 69°F (20°C), and Valdosta averages at about 67°F (19°C).

Valdosta receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Valdosta. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Valdosta receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gainesville 69°F (20°C) 
    Valdosta 67°F (19°C)

Typical Weather for Valdosta and Gainesville

Gainesville Valdosta
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 54°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm) 51°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Feb 57°F (14°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm)
Mar 63°F (17°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 60°F (16°C) 5.9 inches (151 mm)
Apr 69°F (20°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 67°F (19°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)
May 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)
Jun 80°F (26°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm) 80°F (27°C) 6.6 inches (168 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm) 82°F (28°C) 8.9 inches (227 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm) 82°F (28°C) 6.9 inches (175 mm)
Sep 78°F (26°C) 5.5 inches (139 mm) 78°F (26°C) 6.7 inches (169 mm)
Oct 71°F (22°C) 2 inches (51 mm) 69°F (20°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Nov 63°F (17°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 60°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Dec 56°F (14°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 54°F (12°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)