A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Charlottesville for Nightlife, Hiking, Food, and Old Town

Should you visit Asheville or Charlottesville?

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 Charlottesville. 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.

Asheville

Asheville is a open-minded, eclectic, and outdoorsy mountain town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and hiking.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a collegiate, southern, and proud university town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Asheville and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
  • Quaint atmosphere


How is Asheville different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Asheville
Charlottesville

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Charlottesville can be an enjoyable experience.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Asheville. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

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.


Is Asheville or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Asheville
Charlottesville

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Asheville and Charlottesville.

Asheville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlottesville has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Asheville
Charlottesville

Visitors enjoy the old town areas in both Asheville and Charlottesville.

You can check out the historic old town in Asheville. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

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.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Asheville
Charlottesville

Hiking trails can be found around both Asheville and Charlottesville.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Asheville. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains.

Charlottesville is a good destination for hiking. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville Better for Christmas?

Asheville
Charlottesville

The Christmas season is a nice time to visit both Asheville and Charlottesville.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Asheville. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Charlottesville is a very popular destination during Christmas. From Christmas lights on campus to a festive atmosphere at the Monticello, the town is beautiful for Christmas.


Is Asheville or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Asheville
Charlottesville

Both Asheville and Charlottesville are family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Asheville. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination.

Charlottesville offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Asheville
Charlottesville

Asheville and Charlottesville both fun destinations for a couple.

Asheville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway.

Charlottesville is a good mountain town for couples to visit. There are a number of romantic activities in and around town that couples can enjoy.

Is Asheville or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Asheville
Charlottesville

Asheville and Charlottesville both are comparable when exploring on foot.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

Charlottesville is generally not a very walkable mountain town. While the University of Virginia campus and the downtown mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Asheville and Charlottesville. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Asheville is 2-3 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Charlottesville is 2-3 days.


  • How many days in Asheville or Charlottesville? Ideal Length of Stay
    Asheville 2-3 
    Charlottesville 2-3

One day in Asheville or Charlottesville?

The eclectic destination of Asheville offers nightlife and live music. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Asheville or Charlottesville?

The mountain town of Asheville offers live music and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Asheville or Charlottesville?

Asheville is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This mountain town 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 Asheville or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Which place is cheaper, Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville is $154. 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 Charlottesville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Asheville $89
    Charlottesville $80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Asheville $178
    Charlottesville $160
Compare Hotels in Asheville and Charlottesville

Looking for a hotel in Asheville or Charlottesville? 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 Charlottesville


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 Charlottesville Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Asheville $14
    Charlottesville $53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlottesville

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

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
  • Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Asheville or Charlottesville?

Prices for flights to both Charlottesville 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
    Charlottesville $42
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Asheville $16
    Charlottesville $18
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:

  • "Love Stories of Asheville" Guided Walking Tour: $498
  • 2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Asheville: $68
  • 4-Mile Guided Paddleboard Tour on The French Broad River in Asheville: $82
  • 7 Mile Guided Paddleboard Tour On The French Broad River in Asheville: $97
  • Asheville Insider Guided Walking Tour: $30
  • Asheville Literary Tour: $30
  • Asheville Night-Time Guided Walking Ghost Tour (1 or 1.5-Hour Options Available): $21
  • Asheville Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour: $21
  • Asheville Private Guided Bird Watching Tour: $41
  • Asheville Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Asheville Scavenger Hunt: Downtown Asheville Adventure: $12
  • Asheville tip-based sightseeing Walking Tour with Donut & Spirits/Beer Tastings: $5.00

Tours and Activities in Charlottesville

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

  • Immersive Art Experience at The Looking Glass Ticket: $15
  • Private Virginia BBQ Experience Tour: $107
  • Private Virginia Craft Beer Tour: $180

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Asheville $16
    Charlottesville $53

Sample the Local Flavors in Asheville

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

  • Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour: $38
  • Private Adventure Brews Cruise Brewery Tours in Asheville (Up To 5 Breweries): $1,013

Sample the Local Flavors in Charlottesville

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

  • Private Wine Tours: $75
  • Weekday Virginia Private Custom Wine Tour from Charlottesville: $217
  • Virginia Private Custom Wine Tour from Charlottesville: $379


When comparing the travel costs between Asheville and Charlottesville, we can see that Charlottesville is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.


When is the best time to visit Asheville or Charlottesville?

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 Charlottesville in the Summer?

Both Charlottesville and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

Asheville is around the same temperature as Charlottesville in the summer. The temperature in Asheville is usually 82°F (28°C) in July, and Charlottesville stays around 78°F (26°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the summer, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Charlottesville. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Charlottesville. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Asheville 82°F (28°C) 
    Charlottesville 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Charlottesville. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Asheville is a little warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Asheville in October are around 64°F (18°C), and Charlottesville is about 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charlottesville. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Asheville 64°F (18°C) 
    Charlottesville 59°F (15°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Charlottesville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Charlottesville. Many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.

Charlottesville can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Asheville is generally much warmer than Charlottesville. Temperatures in Asheville average around 44°F (7°C), and Charlottesville stays around 36°F (2°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Charlottesville. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Asheville 44°F (7°C) 
    Charlottesville 36°F (2°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Asheville is a little warmer than Charlottesville in the spring. The temperature in Asheville is usually 64°F (18°C) in April, and Charlottesville stays around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Asheville 64°F (18°C) 
    Charlottesville 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Asheville

Asheville Charlottesville
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 36°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (83 mm)
Feb 47°F (8°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (80 mm)
Mar 55°F (13°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 49°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Apr 64°F (18°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 58°F (14°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
May 71°F (22°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 67°F (19°C) 3.8 inches (98 mm)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 78°F (26°C) 5 inches (128 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 77°F (25°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 71°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 59°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Nov 55°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
Dec 47°F (8°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 41°F (5°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)


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Asheville vs. Charlottesville Travel Comparison

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