A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Asheville vs. Charlotte for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Asheville or Charlotte?

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 Asheville and Charlotte. 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: Asheville or Charlotte?

Asheville

Asheville is a beautiful mountain town between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. It's a popular tourist destination in western North Carolina that attracts hikers, shoppers, and adventurers alike. It's the largest city in the area and is famous for it's liberal mindset and large art community. Local crafts are frequently available for sale in the downtown shops.

Charlotte

With a population of almost 800,000, Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina. The city has grown rapidly in recent years and the thriving economy has led to major revitalization efforts in the city's central district. The city is a center for finance, industry, technology, and entertainment within the state. It is the location of the corporate headquarters of Bank of America as well as the east coast operations of Wells Fargo, making it the second largest banking center in the United States. Although Charlotte has never been considered a significant tourist destination, recent efforts to enhance the urban core and develop entertainment venues have begun to appeal to outside visitors.

Which place is cheaper, Charlotte or Asheville?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Asheville is $133, while the average daily cost in Charlotte is $191. 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 Asheville and Charlotte in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Asheville $89
    Charlotte $118
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Asheville $178
    Charlotte $236
Compare Hotels in Asheville and Charlotte

Looking for a hotel in Asheville or Charlotte? 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 Asheville


Hotels in Charlotte


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: Asheville Hotel Prices and Charlotte Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Asheville $14
    Charlotte $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlotte

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

  • Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by SUV: $187
  • Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by Sedan car: $144
  • Arrival Transfer: Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte in Business Car: $133
  • Charlotte City to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $136
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Spartanburg - Arrival Private Transfer: $148
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Spartanburg - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $295
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT): 1-Way Transfer to Charlotte: $99
  • Charlotte Douglas Int. Airport One-Way Transfer to /from Charlotte: $148
  • Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT Sedan Car: $125
  • Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT by SUV: $168

Is it cheaper to fly into Asheville or Charlotte?

Prices for flights to both Charlotte and Asheville 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
    Asheville $33
    Charlotte $46
Typical Food prices in Asheville

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Asheville:


  • Biltmore Estate Entrance Fee
    $60

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Asheville

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Asheville.

  • Electric Bike Tour of Asheville's Best Pizza: $98
  • Best Pizza E-bike Tour: $111
  • 3-Hour Hands on Cooking Class: $120
  • Private Cooking Class at E Sondley Drive Dr Asheville: $450

Typical Food prices in Charlotte

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Charlotte:


  • Pizza at Airport
    $4.03
  • Cracker Barrel Lunch (family of 4)
    $29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Asheville $16
    Charlotte $43
Typical Entertainment prices in Asheville

Here are a few typical costs in Asheville for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Massage
    $40

Tours and Activities in Asheville

Here are a few actual costs in Asheville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Asheville: $65
  • 2-Hour Hiking Experience with Carly Buntin Photography : $1,200
  • 2.5-Hour Blue Ridge Parkway Guided Jeep Tour: $99
  • A Taste of West Asheville Tip-Based Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
  • Amazing Asheville Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
  • An afternoon with the artist, private art gallery tour: $60
  • Asheville Coffee Tours: $65
  • Asheville Ghost Tour: A Walk Through Riverside Cemetery & Montford Neighborhood: $27
  • Asheville Historic Highlights: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.99
  • Asheville Insider Guided Walking Tour: $30
  • Asheville Literary Tour: $30
  • Asheville Music History Walking Tour: $200

Tours and Activities in Charlotte

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

  • Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour: Smartphone Audio & GPS Tour: $6.50
  • Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour - Smartphone guided audio/gps Tour at your own pace: $6.75
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Charlotte by 3Quest Challenge: $10
  • Uptown A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City: $12
  • Self-Guided City Highlights Audio Tour: $12
  • Sunset Walking Tour: Bronze Statues Tell the Story of Charlotte: $15
  • UPTOWN FUNK: 1 Hour Guided Historical Walking Tour in Charlotte: $15
  • Carolina Panthers Football Game Ticket at Bank of America Stadium: $17
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Charlotte by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Charlotte Hornets Basketball Game Ticket at Spectrum Center: $23
  • Charlotte Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Carolina History and Haunts Charlotte Historical Ghost Walking Tour : $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Asheville $16
    Charlotte $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Asheville

Also in Asheville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Skip the Line: Copper Barrel's Premium Distillery Tour & Tasting: $10
  • Asheville Terrors Boos and Brews Ultimate Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Terrors, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Ultimate Late Night Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Asheville Terrors Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $39
  • Expert-Led Brewery Walking Tour with Beer Samples: $65
  • 3-Hour Guided Walking Brewery Tour Through Downtown Asheville: $69
  • Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour: $69
  • Floating Bar Crawl Tour: $72
  • "Beer Flight" Drag Queen Bar Crawl Tour + VIP After Party Seating: $77
  • Electric Bike Brewery Crawl of Asheville: $79
  • 3 Hour Brewery Bus Guided Tour in Asheville: $89

Sample the Local Flavors in Charlotte

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

  • Trolley Pub Tour of Charlotte: $42
  • Charlotte Brewery Crawl Tour: $48
  • 3-Hour Brewery Crawl on 7 passenger Cart: $48
  • Original Charlotte Brewery Tour - Craft Beer Experience : $125
  • Bar Crawl on a Rollin Disco Ball Golf Cart in Charlotte: $240

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Charlotte?

Charlotte is bigger, and its population is about 8.7 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the population of Asheville vs. Charlotte, 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Asheville or Charlotte?

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 Asheville or Charlotte in the Summer?

Both Charlotte and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Asheville is around the same temperature as Charlotte. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Charlotte averages at about 81°F (27°C).

In Charlotte, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the summer, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Charlotte. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 289 hours of full sun.

Charlotte gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Charlotte. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Asheville 82°F (28°C) 
    Charlotte 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Charlotte in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Charlotte. Many visitors come to Asheville in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as Charlotte. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Charlotte fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 223 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives more rain than Charlotte. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Asheville 64°F (18°C) 
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Charlotte in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Charlotte. Most visitors come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Asheville is a little warmer than Charlotte in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Charlotte fluctuates around 42°F (6°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 173 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Charlotte. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Asheville 44°F (7°C) 
    Charlotte 42°F (6°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Charlotte in the Spring?

Both Charlotte and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Asheville because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Asheville is around the same temperature as Charlotte. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Charlotte averages at about 63°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlotte. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Charlotte. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Asheville 64°F (18°C) 
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Charlotte and Asheville

Asheville Charlotte
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Feb 47°F (8°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Mar 55°F (13°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 54°F (12°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm)
Apr 64°F (18°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 63°F (17°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
May 71°F (22°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 80°F (27°C) 4 inches (101 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Nov 55°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
Dec 47°F (8°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)


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.
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