How much does it cost to travel to Gatlinburg?
You should plan to spend around $190 per day on your vacation in Gatlinburg. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $85 on meals
- $35 on local transportation
- $160 on hotels
A one week trip to Gatlinburg for two people costs, on average, $2,665. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Gatlinburg has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Gatlinburg expensive to visit?
Prices in Gatlinburg are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Gatlinburg is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Kauai or Berkeley.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Gatlinburg Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Gatlinburg?
The average Gatlinburg trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Gatlinburg travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$160
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$35
|
|
Food 2
|
$85
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$24
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
$7 -
21
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$8 -
23
|
Accommodation Budget in Gatlinburg
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Gatlinburg is $80. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Gatlinburg is $160. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Gatlinburg? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Gatlinburg
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Gatlinburg is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $35 per person, per day, on local transportation in Gatlinburg.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$35
How much does it cost to go to Gatlinburg? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Gatlinburg will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Gatlinburg
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Gatlinburg can vary, the average cost of food in Gatlinburg is $85 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Gatlinburg should cost around $34 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Gatlinburg is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$85
Typical prices for Food in Gatlinburg are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Gatlinburg, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Entertainment Budget in Gatlinburg
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Gatlinburg typically cost an average of $24 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$24
Typical prices for Entertainment in Gatlinburg are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Gatlinburg, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Horseback Riding Photos
$22
-
Horseback Riding (for 2)
$55
Tips and Handouts Budget in Gatlinburg
Calculated from travelers like you
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Gatlinburg
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Gatlinburg is $56, as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$56
Alcohol Budget in Gatlinburg
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $15 on alcoholic beverages in Gatlinburg per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$15
Gatlinburg On a Budget
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national park.
Gatlinburg's climate is hot in the summer and cool in the winter. Summer highs are typically in the mid 80s Fahrenheit and winter highs are in the high 40s to low 50s Fahrenheit. Rain is spread consistently throughout the year and several inches of snow can be expected every winter.
Sights
The main sights in town are designed for those hoping to escape the nearby natural setting. Many attractions can be considered tacky or gimmicky, but that doesn't seem to reduce the appeal for many visitors. There are many stores in the downtown area and several have attached museums. Cooter's Place is a Dukes of Hazzard store and museum. There is also the Guinness World Records Museum, the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, and Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, among others. A favorite attraction in the area is the Gatlinburg Sky Life, which offers excellent views of the the area. The Gatlinburg Space Needle also has an observation tower and arcade. If you're looking for something a little different, you can head to the Smoky Mountain Winery, which has complimentary tours and wine tasting.
For even more ideas, read
this amazing article about things to do in the Smoky Mountains which has information about the national park areas, hiking, and activities for every season.
Neighborhoods
Gatlinburg covers just over ten square miles in total. There is a downtown area which is where you'll find most of the tourist attractions, restaurants, and entertainment. This area is easily walkable, but there is also a trolley that travels throughout. Many of the city's popular resorts are within walking distance to the downtown. The city is surrounded by mountains. Le Conte and Sugarland Mountain are to the south, Cove Mountain is to the west, Big Ridge is to the northeast and Grapeyard Ridge is to the east.
Most hotels in the area are chains and are reasonably priced and a decent quality. You aren't likely to find anything particularly special, but you can easily find a good deal if you decide to stay in town.
Activities
Many visitors to Gatlinburg choose to spend their time in the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are many hikes in the area, including part of the famed Appalachian Trail. If hiking is not your thing, then Gatlinburg has no shortage of other activities including amusement park rides, water parks, and arcades.
Ober Gatlinburg is a popular place to visit with an aerial tramway, alpine slide, a bear habitat, and a ski resort.
Cades Cove (in the park) is another interesting place to spend some time. It's about 45 minutes from the town and you can see wildlife that is native to the area.
The town has plenty of festivals year around. Some of the more interesting ones include the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, the Gatlinburg Scottish Festival & Games, Gatlinburg Heritage Days, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Holiday Show, and the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Christmas Show.
Food and Dining
There are plenty of budget and mid-range restaurants around town. Most serve the typical American fare including steaks, burgers, and sandwiches. There are plenty of chain restaurants around town which offer predictable food and quality. There are also a handful of locally owned places, some with an interesting atmosphere and high quality dishes. For breakfast you'll find a handful of diners and cafes which offer anything from omelets to pancakes or sausage. In the evening there are some bars that stay open late and can sell you cheap beer with a lively atmosphere.
Transportation
You generally must have a car to explore Gatlinburg and the surrounding area, but there is a trolley that can transport tourists to many of the sights in the immediate downtown area. During the peak season, particularly at the height of the summer months, traffic in the area can become very congested. Both in town and headed in the direction of the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you can expect delays during peak times.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.