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

Should you visit Sarasota or Dayton?

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 Dayton. 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.

Where Should I go: Sarasota or Dayton?

Sarasota

Located on the Gulf Coast of southwest Florida, Sarasota is a popular city known for its thriving arts scene, selection of restaurants, plenty of shopping, and beautiful beaches. The metropolitan area is a hub of city culture, while the beaches offer escapes of fine white sand and aqua waters.

Dayton

Located in southwest Ohio, Dayton is known as the "Gem City." It's the original home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who designed the first airplane. You'll also find the Dayton Aviation Heritage Park here, which is one of the only multi-site National Parks in the United States. The cities climate has four different seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. The winter months are quite cold and you can expect a decent amount of snow in the area. Spring remains cool and there are infrequent showers. This is also the peak time for tornadoes in the area. Summer is hot and humid and can be unpleasant at times, but fall is crisp and refreshing with occasional storms and infrequent tornadoes.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Dayton or Sarasota?

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

  • Sarasota Prices
    USA Prices
    Dayton Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Sarasota $350
    Dayton $368

The average daily cost (per person) in Sarasota is $350, while the average daily cost in Dayton is $368. 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 Sarasota and Dayton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sarasota $108
    Dayton $250
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sarasota $216
    Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Sarasota and Dayton

Looking for a hotel in Sarasota or Dayton? 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 Sarasota


Hotels in Dayton


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: Sarasota Hotel Prices and Dayton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sarasota -
    Dayton $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota–Bradenton Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota Round-Trip Transfer: $55
  • Sarasota Airport(SRQ) to Anna Maria island hotel-Arrival Transfer: $125
  • Sarasota Airport (SRQ) to Anna Maria island - Round-Trip Transfer: $251

Is it cheaper to fly into Sarasota or Dayton?

Prices for flights to both Dayton and Sarasota 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
    Sarasota $238
    Dayton $105

Typical Food Prices in Dayton

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


  • Noodle Company Lunch (for 2)
    $17
  • Indian Food Dinner (for 2)
    $34

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sarasota $11
    Dayton -

Tours and Activities in Sarasota

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sarasota.

  • Palmetto Ghost & History Tour by Silent Slayer Ghost Tours: $40
  • Robinson Preserve Mangrove Tour: $55
  • Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour: $55
  • Siesta Key: Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboard Tour: $55
  • Anna Maria Island Dolphin Sightseeing Adventure : $55
  • Anna Maria Island Dolphin Sunset Boat Tour: $58
  • Siesta Key Guided Eco Tour: $59
  • Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour: $59
  • Glass Bottom Kayak Fish Feeding LED Night Tour: $59
  • Siesta Key Kayak Tour : $60
  • Sarasota Waterways Tour for All Ages: $60
  • Sharkey's Glass Bottom Fish Feeding LED Night Tour in Sarasota: $62

Tours and Activities in Dayton

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

  • Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
  • Daytona Beach: Paddle Pub Experience: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sarasota -
    Dayton -

Sample the Local Flavors in Dayton

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dayton:

  • Dive Bar Bus Crawl: $50


When comparing the travel costs between Sarasota and Dayton, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Dayton?

Dayton has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Dayton, 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 Dayton?

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 Dayton in the Summer?

Both Dayton and Sarasota during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sarasota is around the same temperature as Dayton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sarasota in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Dayton averages at about 78°F (26°C).

In Dayton, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the summer, Sarasota often gets less sunshine than Dayton. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Dayton. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sarasota 82°F (28°C) 
    Dayton 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Sarasota or Dayton in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Dayton. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 76°F (24°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during autumn. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sarasota usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dayton. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sarasota 76°F (24°C) 
    Dayton 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Sarasota or Dayton in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Dayton. The winter months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Dayton in the winter. Sarasota is much warmer than Dayton in the winter. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Dayton fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the winter, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets more rain in January than Dayton. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sarasota 59°F (15°C) 
    Dayton 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Sarasota or Dayton in the Spring?

Both Dayton and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year.

In the spring, Sarasota is much warmer than Dayton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sarasota in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Dayton averages at about 55°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Dayton. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during spring. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Dayton. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sarasota 73°F (23°C) 
    Dayton 55°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Dayton and Sarasota

Sarasota Dayton
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Feb 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 67°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Apr 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
May 78°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 65°F (18°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jun 82°F (28°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm) 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) 69°F (21°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Oct 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm)
Nov 69°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3 inches (75 mm)