A Travel Price Comparison for Virginia Arlington vs. Charlottesville for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Arlington or Charlottesville?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Charlottesville, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Arlington

Arlington is a historical, educational, and international city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a traditional, young, and collegiate university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Arlington and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arlington or Charlottesville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Arlington. Although Arlington and Charlottesville are both popular with visitors, Arlington has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Arlington is more popular for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Charlottesville is known for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Arlington is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. It is also home to Arlington National Cemetery. Charlottesville is popular for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Arlington different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arlington or Charlottesville?

Arlington is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Arlington. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Is the Food Better in Arlington or Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arlington is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Arlington has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Arlington or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Arlington is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Arlington has something for everybody. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Arlington or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Arlington does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville has an old town worth visiting. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Arlington does not have a historic old town.

Is Arlington or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville has hiking trails worth exploring. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Charlottesville?

Arlington is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Arlington. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Arlington or Charlottesville Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is an excellent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Arlington does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Charlottesville is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. From Christmas lights on campus to a festive atmosphere at the Monticello, the town is beautiful for Christmas.

Arlington does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Arlington or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Arlington and Charlottesville are both good destinations for the whole family.

Arlington is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Charlottesville. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Arlington or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Arlington and Charlottesville are both good to visit as a couple.

Arlington is a good city for couples to visit. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Charlottesville is a nice destination for couples. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Arlington or Charlottesville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlottesville is not known for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

Is Arlington or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Charlottesville is a great destination for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Students come from all over to stay in Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Is Arlington or Charlottesville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington is terrific for times when you don't have a car. However, Charlottesville is not known for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Arlington can take you anywhere. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Public transit is generally limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Arlington or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Arlington is a great city for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Arlington is a very walkable city. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Arlington Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Arlington and Charlottesville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Arlington than in Charlottesville. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Arlington, and 2-3 days is enough time in Charlottesville.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Charlottesville 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 Arlington.

One day in Arlington or Charlottesville?

The historical destination of Arlington offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Even though Charlottesville is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Arlington or Charlottesville?

The city of Arlington offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Charlottesville is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this university town has to offer. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Arlington or Charlottesville?

Arlington is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Charlottesville is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Arlington or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Arlington. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Charlottesville is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Arlington or Charlottesville?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Arlington and Charlottesville, 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 Arlington or Charlottesville?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Arlington or Charlottesville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Charlottesville. Many travelers come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Arlington is generally around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 79°F (26°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In Arlington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arlington usually receives less sunshine than Charlottesville during summer. Arlington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.

Charlottesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Arlington usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Arlington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Arlington or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Charlottesville. Many visitors come to Arlington in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Arlington is around the same temperature as Charlottesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. In the autumn, Arlington often gets less sunshine than Charlottesville. Arlington gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun.

Arlington usually gets less rain in October than Charlottesville. Arlington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Charlottesville in the Winter?

Both Charlottesville and Arlington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Arlington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.

The weather in Charlottesville can be very cold. Arlington can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Arlington is much colder than Charlottesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Arlington in January average around 35°F (1°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 36°F (2°C).

Arlington usually receives less sunshine than Charlottesville during winter. Arlington gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Arlington usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Arlington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Arlington or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and Arlington during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

In April, Arlington is generally around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 56°F (14°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Arlington. In the spring, Arlington often gets less sunshine than Charlottesville. Arlington gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun.

Arlington usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Charlottesville. Arlington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Arlington