A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Orlando vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Families, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Should I visit Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Orlando

Orlando is a active, family-friendly, and entertaining city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Orlando travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and beaches. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Orlando and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Orlando than Carmel-by-the-Sea, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Orlando is better known for its theatre productions, nightlife, and resorts, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its museums and attractions, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Orlando is more touristy than Carmel-by-the-Sea and is popular for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. Also, Orlando is famous for Disney World, Universal Studios, and the city's many amusement parks. Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is Orlando different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Orlando. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Theater?

Orlando is a city with good options for its shows and theatre. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a theatre destination.

Orlando offers a number of shows and performances. The city has a number of local theaters that are fun to explore. As home to Disney World and Universal Studios, there are also a number of shows available that are affiliated with the parks.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Orlando and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Orlando. There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. You'll also find many restaurants at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs. Food can be expensive, and the quality can vary dramatically. Many people enjoy going to dinner shows as well. Restaurants can be challenging also, as reservations must be made months in advance.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Carmel-by-the-Sea. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

Is Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Orlando is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Orlando. If you need a break from the kids, you'll find some of the best nightlife around Orlando at Disney Springs, Wall Street Plaza and Universal CityWalk.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

Orlando is renowned for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Orlando is a world class resort vacation destination. Disney World is famous for its many iconic resorts. Some of the most popular are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. There are also many resorts that aren't affiliated with the major theme parks. These tend to be more affordable, but transportation options to and from the park are limited. You'll also miss out on the perks that come with staying at a theme park resort.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Is Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its beaches. However, Orlando is not a beach destination.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is considered a top beach destination. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Orlando is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

If you're looking to go shopping, Orlando and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Orlando. Shopping is a dream for any Disney enthusiast. There are countless malls and shops, both on and off the Disney grounds, that sell all of the Disney paraphernalia. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are the most famous areas. During the evenings, these areas can be very crowded, but during the day they're less popular as most people are at the theme parks.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Is Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Orlando is not a destination known for its beauty.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

Orlando is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Orlando is renowned for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Orlando is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Known as a theme park capital, here you'll find the iconic Disney World, as well as Universal Studios, SeaWorld and many more. While most people spend their vacation at the Disney or Universal resorts, there is also an endless supply of less mainstream parks and activities in the area.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for romance. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Orlando makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While most people visit the area with family, there is a niche crowd that enjoys honeymooning or vacationing here as a couple. There are many beautiful restaurants and interesting activities that couples can enjoy together. This is the perfect trip for fun loving couples who don't take themselves to seriously.

Is Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

Orlando is a city with good options for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Orlando is a good city to visit for students. Most people don't think about education when they think about Orlando, but there are actually a diversity of internships and opportunities for students to learn in a fun setting.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Is Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Orlando and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Orlando. If you're staying at a Disney Property, there is excellent transportation around the complex, but otherwise, a car is essential.

Public transit is generally limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its walkability. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is very walkable. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

Orlando is not a walkable city. The city is sprawling, so unless you stay on the Disney grounds, it's best to rent a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Orlando Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Orlando?

How long in Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Orlando and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than in Orlando. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Orlando, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Couples should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Orlando. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Orlando 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

One day in Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and theater around the destination of Orlando, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town with plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Orlando. Your budget might influence how long you stay. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Carmel-by-the-Sea has to offer.

Five days in Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the entertaining destination of Orlando. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Orlando is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Since Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Orlando Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Orlando has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Orlando and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Orlando during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Orlando in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Orlando is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 82°F (28°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orlando. Orlando usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Orlando gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Orlando and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Orlando for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Orlando is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Orlando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Orlando usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Orlando gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Orlando as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. The winter months attract visitors to Orlando because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In the winter, Orlando is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the winter temperatures in Orlando in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Orlando usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Orlando gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orlando or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Orlando are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Orlando is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 72°F (22°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Orlando usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Orlando gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Orlando