A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Asheville vs. Winston-Salem for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Asheville or Winston-Salem?

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 Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem?

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.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a moderately sized city in Forsyth Country, North Carolina. The city has a population of about 360,000 and is located in the central part of the state in the Piedmont Triad. Winston-Salem goes by several nicknames including the "Twin City", the "City of Arts and Innovation" and "Camel City", a reference to the city's history in the tobacco industry. Like several towns in central North Carolina, the city's economy was also once influenced by the furniture industry, although this sector continues to shrink.

Which place is cheaper, Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem is $150. 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 Winston-Salem in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Asheville $89
    Winston-Salem $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Asheville $178
    Winston-Salem $182
Compare Hotels in Asheville and Winston-Salem

Looking for a hotel in Asheville or Winston-Salem? 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 Winston-Salem


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 Winston-Salem Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Asheville $14
    Winston-Salem $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Asheville or Winston-Salem?

Prices for flights to both Winston-Salem 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
    Winston-Salem $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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Asheville

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

  • Best Pizza E-bike Tour: $111
  • 3-Hour Hands on Cooking Class: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Asheville $16
    Winston-Salem $20
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:

  • A Taste of West Asheville Tip-Based Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
  • Downtown Asheville Tip-Based Sightseeing Walking Tour : $5.00
  • River Arts District Tip-Based Sightseeing Walking Tour : $5.00
  • Asheville's Historic Smart Phone Guided App (GPS) Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Asheville's Famous Ghosts Smart Phone GPS APP Solo Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Asheville Historic Highlights: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.99
  • Highlights of Asheville Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Asheville) Driving Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
  • Asheville Scavenger Hunt: Downtown Asheville Adventure: $12
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Asheville to Roanoke) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
  • Blue Ridge Parkway Driving Audio Tour (Asheville ↔ Roanoke): $13
  • Gem Mining and Goat Farm Walking Tour in Hendersonville: $26

Tours and Activities in Winston-Salem

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Winston-Salem are as follows:

  • Carolina History & Haunts Winston-Salem Historical Ghost Tour: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Asheville $16
    Winston-Salem $24

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
  • Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour: $67
  • 3-Hour Guided Walking Brewery Tour Through Downtown Asheville: $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

How are these travel costs calculated?

When comparing the travel costs between Asheville and Winston-Salem, we can see that Winston-Salem 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.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem is bigger, and its population is about 2.8 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the population of Asheville vs. Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem?

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 Asheville or Winston-Salem in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Winston-Salem. The hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem during summer. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

Winston-Salem receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than Winston-Salem. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Asheville 82°F (28°C) 
    Winston-Salem 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Winston-Salem in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Winston-Salem. Many travelers come to Asheville 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 Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the autumn, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Winston-Salem. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 212 hours of full sun.

Asheville usually gets more rain in October than Winston-Salem. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Asheville 64°F (18°C) 
    Winston-Salem 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Winston-Salem in the Winter?

Both Winston-Salem and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Winston-Salem can be very cold during winter. Asheville is a little warmer than Winston-Salem in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem during winter. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In January, Asheville usually receives more rain than Winston-Salem. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Asheville 44°F (7°C) 
    Winston-Salem 40°F (4°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Winston-Salem in the Spring?

Both Winston-Salem and Asheville during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Asheville is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 61°F (16°C).

In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the spring, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Winston-Salem. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Asheville 64°F (18°C) 
    Winston-Salem 61°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Winston-Salem and Asheville

Asheville Winston-Salem
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 47°F (8°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Mar 55°F (13°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Apr 64°F (18°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
May 71°F (22°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 55°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Dec 47°F (8°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 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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Asheville vs. Winston-Salem Travel Comparison

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