A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jekyll Island vs. Columbia for Families, Attractions, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Jekyll Island or Columbia?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jekyll Island and Columbia can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a relaxing, secluded, and natural island. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and beaches. See Jekyll Island travel costs.

Columbia

Columbia is a welcoming, suburban, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Columbia travel costs.

Jekyll Island and Columbia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jekyll Island or Columbia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jekyll Island. Although Jekyll Island and Columbia are both popular with visitors, Jekyll Island has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Jekyll Island is more popular for its resorts, beaches, and hiking, while Columbia is known for its nightlife and shopping. Jekyll Island is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for its quiet beaches and its Historic District. It is also home to Driftwood Beach. Columbia is popular for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Jekyll Island different from Columbia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jekyll Island or Columbia?

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Columbia and Jekyll Island.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Jekyll Island. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

Columbia is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

Is the Food Better in Jekyll Island or Columbia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Jekyll Island and Columbia offer a number of decent restaurants to choose from.

Jekyll Island may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Columbia offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Jekyll Island or Columbia Better for Nightlife?

Columbia is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Jekyll Island or Columbia Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is a moderate island for its resorts. However, Columbia is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Jekyll Island offers a few options. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Columbia is not a resort destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Columbia Better for Beaches?

Jekyll Island is a well-known place for the beach. However, Columbia is not a beach destination.

Jekyll Island is considered a top beach destination. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Columbia is not a beach destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Columbia Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Jekyll Island is a popular spot for hiking. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jekyll Island or Columbia?

Columbia is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Columbia has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Jekyll Island or Columbia Better for Families?

Jekyll Island is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Jekyll Island is a very kid-friendly island. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

Columbia is a family-friendly island. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Is Jekyll Island or Columbia Better for Couples?

Jekyll Island is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Jekyll Island makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Jekyll Island or Columbia Better for Students?

Columbia is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Jekyll Island is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Jekyll Island is not popular with students.

Is Jekyll Island or Columbia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Columbia is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Jekyll Island or Columbia a more walkable city?

Neither Jekyll Island or Columbia are walkable places.

Jekyll Island is not a very walkable island. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

Columbia is not a walkable island. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

For even more information, also check out Is Jekyll Island Worth Visiting? and Is Columbia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbia or Jekyll Island?

How long in Jekyll Island or Columbia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Jekyll Island or Columbia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Jekyll Island than Columbia because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Jekyll Island, and 1-2 days is enough time in Columbia.

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

Couples should spend more time in Jekyll Island than Columbia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Jekyll Island that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Columbia than Jekyll Island 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 Columbia.

One day in Jekyll Island or Columbia?

The island of Jekyll Island offers museums. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the suburban destination of Columbia. 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 Jekyll Island or Columbia?

Jekyll Island is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Jekyll Island, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbia. 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 Jekyll Island or Columbia?

Jekyll Island is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Columbia. 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 Jekyll Island or Columbia?

Jekyll Island is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Columbia. 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 Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Jekyll Island or Columbia?

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 Jekyll Island or Columbia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Jekyll Island as well as Columbia. Many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Columbia in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Jekyll Island is generally around the same temperature as Columbia. Daily temperatures in Jekyll Island average around 82°F (28°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jekyll Island this time of the year. In the summer, Jekyll Island often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia. Jekyll Island gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Columbia. Jekyll Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jekyll Island usually gets more rain in July than Columbia. Jekyll Island gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Columbia in the Autumn?

Both Columbia and Jekyll Island are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Columbia for the shopping scene during these months.

Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Columbia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during autumn. Jekyll Island gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Columbia. Jekyll Island gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Columbia in the Winter?

Both Columbia and Jekyll Island during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Jekyll Island for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Columbia because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Jekyll Island is much warmer than Columbia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jekyll Island in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Columbia averages at about 45°F (7°C).

In the winter, Jekyll Island often gets more sunshine than Columbia. Jekyll Island gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun.

Jekyll Island usually gets less rain in January than Columbia. Jekyll Island gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Columbia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jekyll Island and Columbia. The spring months attract visitors to Jekyll Island because of the beaches.

In April, Jekyll Island is generally a little warmer than Columbia. Daily temperatures in Jekyll Island average around 68°F (20°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Jekyll Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during spring. Jekyll Island gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Columbia. Jekyll Island gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Columbia and Jekyll Island