A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Gatlinburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Asheville or Gatlinburg?

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 Gatlinburg. 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 Gatlinburg?

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.

Gatlinburg

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.

Which city is cheaper, Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg is $190. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Asheville and Gatlinburg in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Asheville or Gatlinburg? 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 Gatlinburg


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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 Gatlinburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Asheville $14
    Gatlinburg $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Asheville or Gatlinburg?

Prices for flights to both Gatlinburg 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
    Gatlinburg $85
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

Typical Food prices in Gatlinburg

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


  • Chinese Food Dinner (for 2)
    $21

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Asheville $16
    Gatlinburg $24
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

Typical Entertainment prices in Gatlinburg

For Gatlinburg, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Horseback Riding Photos
    $22
  • Horseback Riding (for 2)
    $55

Tours and Activities in Gatlinburg

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

  • Gatlinburg Ghost Tour: $22
  • Ghost and Haunt Tour of Gatlinburg: $26
  • Impossibilities Magic Show at the Iris Theater Ticket: $26
  • Great Smoky Mountains Waterfall Adventure Hiking Tour: $75
  • Pigeon Forge: Helicopter Tour of Gatllinburg: $158
  • Can-AM Maverick 1000 Adventure Vehicle Rental: $217
  • Polaris 570 Ranger Adventure Vehicle Rental: $217

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Asheville $16
    Gatlinburg $15

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 Gatlinburg

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Gatlinburg:

  • Gatlinburg's Best Moonshine Distillery Tour and Tastings: $44

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asheville and Gatlinburg, we can see that Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gatlinburg than you might in Asheville.


When is the best time to visit Asheville or Gatlinburg?

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 Gatlinburg in the Summer?

Both Gatlinburg 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 July, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as Gatlinburg. Temperatures in Asheville average around 82°F (28°C), and Gatlinburg stays around 81°F (27°C).

In Gatlinburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the summer, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Gatlinburg. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 294 hours of full sun.

Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Asheville or Gatlinburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Gatlinburg. 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.

Asheville is around the same temperature as Gatlinburg in the autumn. The temperature in Asheville is usually 64°F (18°C) in October, and Gatlinburg stays around 63°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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


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

Should I visit Asheville or Gatlinburg in the Winter?

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

The weather in Gatlinburg can be very cold. In the winter, Asheville is a little warmer than Gatlinburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asheville in January are around 44°F (7°C), and Gatlinburg is about 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Gatlinburg. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 134 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Gatlinburg. Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets less rain in January than Gatlinburg. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Asheville 44°F (7°C) 
    Gatlinburg 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Gatlinburg in the Spring?

Both Gatlinburg 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 April, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as Gatlinburg. Temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Gatlinburg stays around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Gatlinburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gatlinburg during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 263 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Gatlinburg. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Asheville 64°F (18°C) 
    Gatlinburg 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Gatlinburg and Asheville

Asheville Gatlinburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 40°F (5°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm)
Feb 47°F (8°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 44°F (7°C) 4.7 inches (120 mm)
Mar 55°F (13°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm)
Apr 64°F (18°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 62°F (17°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
May 71°F (22°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 70°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 78°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 81°F (27°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 80°F (27°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 74°F (24°C) 2.8 inches (71 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) 53°F (12°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 47°F (8°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)


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Biltmore Village Inn Bed and Breakfast From $325 The Inn On Biltmore Estate From $407 The Applewood Manor From $407 The Windsor - Asheville From $394 Foundry Hotel Asheville Curio Collection By Hilton From $409
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Asheville vs. Gatlinburg Travel Comparison

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