A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sarasota vs. Austin for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Attractions

Should you visit Sarasota or Austin?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Sarasota and Austin. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a underrated, relaxing, and entertaining city. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food. See Sarasota travel costs.

Austin

Austin is a entrepreneurial, eccentric, and unconventional city. It's a big city with many activities to entertain visitors, too. Austin is beautiful destination to visit. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping. See Austin travel costs.

Sarasota and Austin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Austin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Austin than Sarasota. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Austin is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Sarasota attracts visitors for its resorts and beaches. Sarasota is more touristy than Austin and is popular for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. Austin is famous for its live music scene, excellent Texas barbecue, authentic Mexican food, and vibrant student population. It is also well known for The Texas Capital.

How is Sarasota different from Austin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sarasota or Austin?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sarasota and Austin.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sarasota. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

Austin offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Austin has a number of great museums and sights including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Mexic-Arte Museum, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. There's also a huge supply of local art galleries. Perhaps the most notable landmark in town is the beautiful Texas Capital Building

Is the Food Better in Sarasota or Austin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Austin is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Austin, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It is credited with being the original food truck city and you'll find many diverse food truck options around town. There is also amazing Mexican food, world renowned Texas barbecue, and many modern restaurants that reflect the city's culinary influence.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sarasota area. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

Is Sarasota or Austin Better for Nightlife?

Austin is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Austin is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It's nightlife is centered around its thriving live music scene. Head for Sixth Street for some of the most popular bars and clubs. There are also many music festivals and outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months. Popular bars and clubs around town include the White Horse, the Rose Room, and Antone's Nightclub.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sarasota. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

Is Sarasota or Austin Better for Music?

Austin is renowned for its live music scene. However, Sarasota is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Austin. Music is what gives this city its character. There are many live music venues, concerts, and music festivals to experience. Austin has influenced many music genres such as rock, blues, jazz, hip hop, punk, and country.

Sarasota is not a live music destination.

Is Sarasota or Austin Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Austin is not a resort destination.

Sarasota has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Austin is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Austin Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Austin is not a beach destination.

Sarasota has a beach worth visiting. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

Austin is not a beach destination.

Is Sarasota or Austin Better for Hiking?

Austin is adequate for hiking. However, Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors include a hike while visiting Austin. Head just outside of town to explore a few great hiking spots right near town.

Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Austin?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Austin both offer plenty of nice spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sarasota. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

Many visitors go to Austin to go shopping. There are a number of local boutiques around town where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Sarasota or Austin More Beautiful?

Austin is adequate for its scenery and beauty. However, Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

Austin is beautiful destination to visit. The city has some nearby natural beauty as well as an eclectic style.

Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sarasota or Austin Better for Families?

Sarasota is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Sarasota is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

Austin offers lots of family activities. The city is a popular destination for young travelers, but there are also some family-friendly activities like Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and several natural swimming holes. There's a number of nice parks around town that are great for kids of all ages.

Is Sarasota or Austin Better for Couples?

Sarasota and Austin both nice destinations for a couple.

Sarasota makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

Austin is a good city for couples to visit. Young couples will enjoy the city for its lively nightlife, fun music scene, and youthful vibe. There are also many outdoor areas where you can hike or explore. The restaurant scene is among the best as well.

Is Sarasota or Austin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Austin is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Austin. Although the city is relatively small, it does see a disproportionate number of backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town as well.

Sarasota is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are budget friendly places to stay, but there isn't a large backpacker or young crowd hanging around.

Is Sarasota or Austin Better for Students?

Austin is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Sarasota is not popular with students.

Many students visit Austin. The city has a huge university, the University of Texas at Austin, and it is a young city with tons for international students. There is a great nightlife scene and plenty for students to see and do.

Sarasota is not popular with students.

Is Sarasota or Austin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sarasota and Austin both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

Public transit is generally limited in Austin. There are city buses and a very limited lightrail system, but you really need a car to explore the city.

Is Sarasota or Austin a more walkable city?

Sarasota and Austin are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Sarasota is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

Austin is generally not very walkable. The city, like most southern cities, isn't very walkable and it's important to have a car to get around. There are some downtown areas that are pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Sarasota Worth Visiting? and Is Austin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Austin or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Austin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sarasota and Austin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sarasota than in Austin. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 2-3 days is enough time in Austin.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Austin than Sarasota 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 Austin.

One day in Sarasota or Austin?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Sarasota. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Austin offers museums and nightlife. 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.

A weekend in Sarasota or Austin?

Sarasota is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Austin is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Austin, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarasota or Austin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sarasota. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Austin 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.

A week in Sarasota or Austin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the underrated destination of Sarasota. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Austin is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Austin?

Austin has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Austin, 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 Sarasota or Austin?

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 Sarasota or Austin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Austin. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Austin for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Sarasota is generally around the same temperature as Austin. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 82°F (28°C), and Austin fluctuates around 87°F (30°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Austin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the summer, Sarasota often gets less sunshine than Austin. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 318 hours of full sun.

Sarasota receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Austin. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Austin in the Autumn?

Both Austin and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Austin because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Sarasota is around the same temperature as Austin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Austin fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Austin. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Austin during autumn. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Austin. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Austin receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Should I visit Sarasota or Austin in the Winter?

Both Austin and Sarasota during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Austin this time of year.

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

It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the winter, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Austin. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 163 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets more rain in January than Austin. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Austin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Austin. The beaches are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Austin for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Sarasota is generally around the same temperature as Austin. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 73°F (23°C), and Austin fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Austin this time of the year. In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Austin during spring. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Austin. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Austin receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Typical Weather for Austin and Sarasota