Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

Gainesville travel guide

Gainesville Tourism | Gainesville Guide

You're Going to Love Gainesville

With a population of 124,354, Gainesville is a must-see destination in Florida, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Gainesville deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Activities & attractions in Gainesville

Matheson History Museum
Museums•Free

Where to Eat in Gainesville

If you’re looking for affordable options, Amelia's Italian Cuisine (235 S. Main Street #107) and Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza - St. Augustine (200 Cbl Dr #101) are great picks.

When to visit Gainesville

Gainesville in July
Estimated hotel price
$117
1 night at 3-star hotel
Gainesville in July
Estimated hotel price
$117
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Gainesville in June, when the average temperature is 80.6 °F, and the highest can go up to 89.6 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 42.8 °F, with an average temperature of 53.6 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in June, when precipitation is around 7.1″. In contrast, November is usually the driest month of the year in Gainesville, with an average rainfall of 2.1″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Gainesville

Plane

When flying to Gainesville, you’ll arrive at Gainesville Regional (GNV), which is located 7 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Gainesville include American Airlines, Air France and Aeromexico. The shortest domestic flight to Gainesville departs from New York and takes around 4h 20m.

Car

Another option to get to Gainesville is to pick up a car rental from Orlando, which is about 154 km from Gainesville. You’ll find branches of Rent-A-Wreck and Routes Car & Truck Rentals, among others, in Orlando.

Bus

The most popular bus station is Gainesville Commuter Lot Parking Garage, located 2.6 km from downtown Gainesville. Gainesville 3509 Sw Williston Rd is also a commonly used station, and is 7 km from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Gainesville, you’ll arrive at Gainesville Regional (GNV), which is located 7 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Gainesville include American Airlines, Air France and Aeromexico. The shortest domestic flight to Gainesville departs from New York and takes around 4h 20m.

Car

Another option to get to Gainesville is to pick up a car rental from Orlando, which is about 154 km from Gainesville. You’ll find branches of Rent-A-Wreck and Routes Car & Truck Rentals, among others, in Orlando.

Bus

The most popular bus station is Gainesville Commuter Lot Parking Garage, located 2.6 km from downtown Gainesville. Gainesville 3509 Sw Williston Rd is also a commonly used station, and is 7 km from the city center.

Airports near Gainesville

JAXJacksonville
DABDaytona Beach
ORLOrlando All airports

Airlines serving Gainesville

Lufthansa
Good (7,409 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,386 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,367 reviews)
Delta
Good (7,961 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,737 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,966 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,925 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,925 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,468 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,339 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,622 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (850 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,156 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,486 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,117 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,251 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (10,896 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,324 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (998 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (359 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Gainesville

Where to stay in Gainesville

Average rates range from around $209 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $129 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include AC Hotel by Marriott Gainesville Downtown and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Gainesville I-75. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Gainesville, with prices from $61 to $346 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Gainesville are about 62% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Most popular hotel in Gainesville by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Gainesville

Most booked hotels in Gainesville

See all
Drury Inn & Suites Gainesville
3 stars
Excellent (9.4, 2363 reviews)
$118+
View
Hotel Indigo Gainesville-Celebration Pointe By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 708 reviews)
$118+
View
Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1113 reviews)
$99+
View
HOM Hotel Gainesville, SureStay Collection by Best Western
2 stars
Good (7.8, 1494 reviews)
$75+
View
Doubletree by Hilton Gainesville
4 stars
Good (7.5, 994 reviews)
$96+
View
Red Roof Inn Plus + Gainesville
2 stars
Good (6.9, 2058 reviews)
$77+
View

Renting a car in Gainesville

Renting a car in Gainesville costs $56 per day, on average, or $112 if you want to rent if for 2 days. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz and Alamo are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Gainesville is the Dollar branch at 3880 Northeast 39th Avenue, which is 6 km from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 24% more expensive than at Gainesville Regional.

Expect to pay $3.56 per gallon in Gainesville (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $42.70 and $56.93. The most frequently booked car type in Gainesville is Intermediate (Honda Civic or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Chevrolet Spark or similar) are, on average, 27% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Gainesville costs $56 per day, on average, or $112 if you want to rent if for 2 days. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz and Alamo are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Gainesville is the Dollar branch at 3880 Northeast 39th Avenue, which is 6 km from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 24% more expensive than at Gainesville Regional.

Expect to pay $3.56 per gallon in Gainesville (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $42.70 and $56.93. The most frequently booked car type in Gainesville is Intermediate (Honda Civic or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Chevrolet Spark or similar) are, on average, 27% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Gainesville

Compact

4 Adults, 2 Bags

$24/day

Compact

Intermediate

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$26/day

Intermediate
Find car rentals in Gainesville

Gainesville Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Gainesville city guide for the best Gainesville travel tips. To help you organize your Gainesville trip ideas, this Gainesville visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.