WFSU Public Media says, “Florida’s tourism agency Visit Florida estimated a record 37.9 million travelers into the state during the first quarter of 2023, up from a prior single-quarter high of 35.528 million in the first three months of 2022.”
They add that “First-quarter tourism into Florida was up 6.7 percent from a year ago, with overseas visitors still under pre-COVID-19 figures, according to a release from the governor’s office Friday.”
So if you’re motivated by such things, it’s a great way to help the US economy.
Add in the opportunity to visit amazing destinations like EPCOT, the Everglades, or the ever-bumping Miami, and you’ve got yourself a first-class vacation for very decent rates.
Of course, even an affordable vacation requires lots of planning, which is what we’re here to help you do today. Read through this guide to learn everything you need to know about prices, smart travel hacks, and the best things to see and do!
Average Trip to Florida Cost in 2024
An average one-week trip to Florida for two people will cost around $4,500:
- Average Accommodation Cost: $125 per night
- Average Flight Cost: $200 per person
- Food, Drink & Activities: $200 per person, per day
- Transportation: $300
- Total Cost: $4,500
As you can see, a one-week vacation to Florida is pretty doable on the average budget for one week. This is especially true for Americans who don’t have to pay a lot in airfare.
However, due to the expensive nature of many Florida activities – boating, theme parks, and fine dining – you might find yourself spending a lot if you’re not careful. If you are careful, you can winnow that $200 above down to $100 a day per person.
Plus, there are tons of resort options and vacation packages to choose from. If you’re the house rental type, you’ll have a raft of choices there as well.
Airbnb and VRBO both have multitudinous options from which to choose in a variety of price ranges, for everything from a single guest to a large family. Naturally, the cost of your vacation will depend on tons of factors.
These might include (but certainly aren’t limited to) whether you’re visiting family, if you’ll stay in a hostel or a five-star hotel, how you like to take your meals, and how many expensive tourist destinations you’ll hit while you’re there.
However, it is helpful to have an average set of costs from which to start – which is where this guide comes in! Intro to the next section, where we will break down costs by accommodations, flights, activities and food, and transportation.
Once you’re finished reading, you’ll know exactly where to cut costs so you can spend on the items that will make your vacation truly memorable.
Florida Trip Cost: Average by Item
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The average cost of a trip to Florida is hard to predict due to the variety of needs and interests that make up any traveler. However, here are some basic numbers to get you started!
Accommodation Costs
If you’re an American, you won’t be particularly surprised by the accommodation costs in Florida, which are pretty standard. Hostel lovers can stay for around $40 for a dorm bunk or $100 for a hotel room in Orlando, for instance.
If you’re looking for a resort experience, plan to spend more like $150 to $250 a night. On average, you can live in relative luxury for about $125 per person, per night.
Flight Costs
Anyone traveling from the United States will be delighted by the airfare costs to Florida. Low-season prices hover around $200 round trip from the West Coast and $100 from the East Coast.
If you’re flying out of the South, such as North Carolina, you can get airfare for as little as $50.
Note that these prices will go up significantly if you a) go during the high season or b) book during busy times. One way to hack plane ticket prices is to wait until closer to your departure date to book them.
If you can stand it, it’s worth waiting until only a few weeks before. You might not find times that are as convenient, but you will find great prices and you’re pretty much guaranteed a range of domestic flight options.
(If you are flying internationally, or are returning to the country but spending a few days in Florida before returning to your home state, this approach is not recommended. Always make sure you have international airfare locked down well ahead of time!)
Another way to lower your costs is to book flights and accommodations at the same time.
For instance, a three-night stay in Orlando for two travelers, including flights, is around $325 in October. Combining this with another four-night stay somewhere else is a great way to reduce airfare without increasing your hotel budget.
Food, Drink & Activity Costs
ORLANDO,USA – AUGUST 24, 2014 : The Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls ride at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure theme park/Kamira/Shutterstock
There are so many things to see and do in Florida that you’ll need to plan wisely. A lot of this will depend on how you like to spend your time.
If you love beaches, clubs, and dining out, then you’ll be able to save money during the day by picnicking at the beach, then spend more at night when you pay cover charges and drink tabs.
However, if you’re an outdoorsy type, then you won’t need to pay for cultural events or admissions to venues. Instead, you’ll want to save your money for tours, park entrance fees, fishing licenses, or boating permits. It all comes down to what you prioritize.
For a couple, you can expect to pay an average of around $150 per day if you want to see some of the most notable sights. Disney World, for example, costs between $105 and $189 per day.
You can save money on this type of activity by going during the low season (typically summer and fall) and by combining your passes with hotel costs.
If you spend a few days at the big theme parks, then spend the rest of your time on the beach, hiking in state parks, and walking the city, you can easily get by on an average of $150 a day including food and drinks.
If you really want to go all out at theme parks, restaurants, and clubs, budget $250 a day – for an average of around $200.
As with any other trip, you can adjust the cost of your eating and drinking up or down, depending on where you go.
If your idea of a good vacation is a lot of partying, you should consider booking an all-inclusive resort where your drinks are wrapped into the overall cost and you don’t have to come up with extra funds when you tie one on.
Transportation Costs
Transportation is about as affordable in Florida as any other state. You can rent a car for about $100 a week, assuming you have a good driving record.
This is a great way to see more of the countryside if you’re the type that values the American wilderness – or if you’re going to spend much of your time getting to parks, U-pick farms, and what have you.
If you want to take public transportation everywhere you go, you can buy a bus pass in most Florida cities for between $40 and $80. Although that seems like a steep one-time purchase, it will cover most people’s vacations handily.
One of the best ways to save money is to fly into the area you want to visit.
Although a flight might seem cheaper to one city than another, you can waste a lot of your travel time trying to get to where you want to go on the ground, so consider paying more for a straight shot to your ultimate destination.
Also, it’s sometimes cheaper and more time-effective to hop between cities by plane. You can get a flight from Miami to Orlando for as low as $50, for example, so that’s something to keep in mind!
All told, assuming a bus pass and one in-state flight per person, plus a couple of taxi rides or a rental car, you should expect to spend around $300.
Things to Consider
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Now that we’ve discussed basics, here are a few more things to keep in mind:
- Safety in Florida cities is the same as safety anywhere. Don’t go out alone at night, especially as a woman, and if you do, stick to populated areas. Be careful to only use reputable ride services. Don’t flash money or jewelry around, and always have a partner if you’re out drinking.
- Florida has a Move Over Law, which you should be aware of if you’re driving in the state. This specifies that when passing a pulled-over car with a police vehicle behind it, you need to move over a lane or slow down to 20 miles per hour. Violating it can get you a ticket.
- Swimming and boating safety is very important, as people drown every year. By last count, there were about 500 deaths per 100,000 people in Florida, which shows you how important it is to stay safe. Don’t drink heavily on boats, wear life jackets, and supervise children closely.
- How much cash to have on hand is another question many people have. Happily, Florida is well-adapted to credit card culture. The only exception is that if you love driving through the countryside and visiting farm stands or mom-and-pop shops, you’ll want to have some cash handy. And of course, it’s always smart to travel with a few hundred dollars in a secure location, just in case.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When is the best time to visit Florida?
Try to go when school is in session, otherwise you’ll be overwhelmed by schoolchildren and their families at the most popular vacation destinations and attractions. The nicest weather is in late fall and early spring, though summer is a popular time for beach lovers.
Is Florida expensive?
Florida is not particularly expensive, but you can spend a lot of money if you want to – or aren’t careful. Check the above tips to learn where to save!
What clothes should I bring?
Florida doesn’t cool down at night the way desert places do, so you can plan to bring light layers to cover up if you’re visiting in spring, summer, or early fall. However, winter does cool down – and can get downright cold during the day – so you’ll need more warmth.
Is it safe in Florida?
Yes, Florida is very safe. Your main concerns should be at night in the city, when the majority of crime occurs, and while on the water – especially when drinking.
Do I need a license to fish or hunt?
Yes, you will need to obtain licenses to fish and hunt in the state of Florida. According to Visit Florida, “Licenses are required for both fresh and saltwater fishing in Florida and are available at many marinas, bait and tackle shops, and the local county tax collector’s office.”
If you want to learn more about fishing (both freshwater and saltwater), hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing, and boating, you can visit www.myFWC.com to learn the relevant rules and regulations.
So, What Is the Average Cost for a Florida Trip?
| 🛎️ Average Accommodation Cost | $125 per night |
| ✈️ Average Flight Cost | $200 per person |
| 🍽️ Food, Drink & Activities | $200 per person, per day |
| 🚕 Transportation | $300 total |
| 💲 Total Cost | $4,500 |
The average cost of a one-week trip to Florida is around $4.500 for two people. You can adjust that price down considerably by going during the low season, staying in low-cost hotels, combining your hotels and airfare, and eating on the cheap.
On the other hand, you can also go all out at the resorts and restaurants if that’s your deal, and you’ll have a grand time doing it. Either way, Florida is well worth the visit.