A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Havana vs. Philadelphia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Havana or Philadelphia?

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 Havana and Philadelphia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Philadelphia?

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Philadelphia or Havana?

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

  • Havana Prices
    Cuba Prices
    Philadelphia Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Havana $74
    Philadelphia $224

The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in Philadelphia is $224. 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 Havana and Philadelphia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $42
    Philadelphia $119
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $84
    Philadelphia $238
Compare Hotels in Havana and Philadelphia

Looking for a hotel in Havana or Philadelphia? 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 Havana


Hotels in Philadelphia


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: Philadelphia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    Philadelphia $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia

Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Philadelphia City to Baltimore City - Private Car Transfer: $209
  • Private Transfer Philadelphia to Philadephia Airport PHL by SUV: $146
  • Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $104
  • Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Luxury SUV: $115
  • Private Transfer: Philadelphia to Airport PHL by Business Car: $104
  • Private transfer from PHL to Philadelphia Downtown: $130

Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Philadelphia?

Prices for flights to both Philadelphia and Havana 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
    Havana $18
    Philadelphia $84
Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    $0.03

Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia

For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Casual Lunch (for 3)
    $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia

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

  • Nibble Food Tour: $58
  • Philadelphia Italian Market Public Food Tour: $59
  • Center City Philadelphia Food Tour with Reading Market : $59
  • Philadelphia Historic Centre Food Tour with 5 Authentic Tastings: $65
  • Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
  • Behind The Scenes Food Tour: South Philly & Italian Market: $95
  • Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $105
  • City Cruises Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $109

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Havana $11
    Philadelphia $28

Tours and Activities in Havana

Here are a few actual costs in Havana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private: City Tour with Lunch, Rum, and Chocolate: $2,000

Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Big Bus Tour (family of 3)
    $99

Tours and Activities in Philadelphia

For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Philadelphia Haunted Ghost Smartphone Guided Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Philadelphia by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Philadelphia Architecture: Discover Every American Style on a GPS Audio Tour: $12
  • The Road to Revolution: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Philadelphia: $12
  • Philadelphia 76ers Basketball Game Ticket at Wells Fargo Center: $15
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Allentown by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • City Sightseeing Walking Tour – Founding Fathers and Mothers: $20
  • The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia: $24
  • Haunted Spirits of '76 Ghost Tour: $24
  • The Ghosts of Philadelphia Tour: $25
  • Walking Tour of Historic Philadelphia: $25
  • The Phantom Penance of Philadelphia Ghost Tour: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    Philadelphia $21
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:


  • Mojito
    $0.15

Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia

Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Philly Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
  • Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Philadelphia, we can see that Philadelphia is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana is in Caribbean Islands and Philadelphia is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Philadelphia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Philadelphia than you might in Havana.

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


Which is Bigger, Havana or Philadelphia?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Philadelphia. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Philadelphia, 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 Havana or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Havana or Philadelphia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Havana as well as Philadelphia. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Havana is generally around the same temperature as Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 27°C (81°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite rainy in Philadelphia. Havana usually gets less rain in July than Philadelphia. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Havana 27°C (81°F) 
    Philadelphia 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Havana or Philadelphia in the Autumn?

Both Philadelphia and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Havana is much warmer than Philadelphia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

In October, Havana usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Havana 25°C (77°F) 
    Philadelphia 56°F (14°C)

Should I visit Havana or Philadelphia in the Winter?

Both Philadelphia and Havana during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Philadelphia can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Havana is much warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Havana in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 30°F (-1°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in January than Philadelphia. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Havana 21°C (70°F) 
    Philadelphia 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Havana or Philadelphia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Philadelphia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Havana is generally much warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 24°C (75°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In April, Havana usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Havana 24°C (75°F) 
    Philadelphia 52°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Havana

Havana Philadelphia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 30°F (-1°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 42°F (6°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 52°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 76°F (24°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 56°F (14°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 46°F (8°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 36°F (2°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)