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

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Should you visit Asheville or Shenandoah National Park?

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 Shenandoah National Park. 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 Shenandoah National Park?

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.

Shenandoah National Park

One of the most visited destinations in the eastern part of the United States, Shenandoah National Park attracts over a million people each year for its beautiful mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, and vibrant colors in the autumn months. Established in 1935, it is the largest fully protected area in the mid-Appalachian region.

Which city is cheaper, Shenandoah National Park or Asheville?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Asheville is $106, while the average daily cost in Shenandoah National Park is $100. 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 Shenandoah National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Asheville $71
    Shenandoah National Park $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Asheville $142
    Shenandoah National Park $86
Compare Hotels in Asheville and Shenandoah National Park

Looking for a hotel in Asheville or Shenandoah National Park? 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 Shenandoah National Park


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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 Shenandoah National Park Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Asheville $11
    Shenandoah National Park $56

Is it cheaper to fly into Asheville or Shenandoah National Park?

Prices for flights to both Shenandoah National Park 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 $26
    Shenandoah National Park $23
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 $13
    Shenandoah National Park $27
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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Asheville $13
    Shenandoah National Park $5.71

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

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Asheville and Shenandoah National Park, we can see that Asheville 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 Shenandoah National Park?

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 Shenandoah National Park in the Summer?

Both Shenandoah National Park and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Asheville for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Asheville is a little warmer than Shenandoah National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July are around 82°F (28°C), and Shenandoah National Park is about 77°F (25°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Shenandoah National Park. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Shenandoah National Park receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Asheville 82°F (28°C) 
    Shenandoah National Park 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Shenandoah National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Shenandoah National Park. The autumn months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Asheville is generally a little warmer than Shenandoah National Park. Temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Shenandoah National Park stays around 56°F (13°C).

In October, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Shenandoah National Park. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Shenandoah National Park receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Asheville 64°F (18°C) 
    Shenandoah National Park 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Shenandoah National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Shenandoah National Park. The Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Shenandoah National Park. Asheville is much warmer than Shenandoah National Park in the winter. The temperature in Asheville is usually 44°F (7°C) in January, and Shenandoah National Park stays around 32°F (-0°C).

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Shenandoah National Park. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Shenandoah National Park receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Asheville 44°F (7°C) 
    Shenandoah National Park 32°F (-0°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Shenandoah National Park in the Spring?

Both Shenandoah National Park and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Asheville for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Asheville is a little warmer than Shenandoah National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April are around 64°F (18°C), and Shenandoah National Park is about 54°F (12°C).

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Shenandoah National Park. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Shenandoah National Park receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Asheville 64°F (18°C) 
    Shenandoah National Park 54°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Shenandoah National Park and Asheville

Asheville Shenandoah National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 32°F (-0°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
Feb 47°F (8°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 35°F (1°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Mar 55°F (13°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Apr 64°F (18°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 71°F (22°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 56°F (13°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Nov 55°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 47°F (8°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 36°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)


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Asheville vs. Shenandoah National Park Travel Comparison

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