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

Should you visit Berkshires or Lancaster?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Berkshires and Lancaster can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Berkshires or Lancaster?

Berkshires

The Berkshires are a popular highland destination in the western part of Massachusetts and northwest Connecticut. The region has scenic landscape, hiking, lakes, recreational opportunities and other outdoor experiences. The Berkshires also has an impressive cultural scene with music, arts, museums, and live theaters.

The Berkshires can be a bit expensive to visit if you stay at a luxury resort and take advantage of the award winning restaurants in the area. Alternatively, the experience can be equally rewarding by camping, picnicking, and spending your time hiking and enjoying the beautiful natural setting.

Lancaster

The largest city in Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, Lancaster is surrounded by scenic landscape and a unique culture. The area is predominately agricultural in nature and you will find lush farms growing crops and produce most seasons. The Amish communities are spread throughout the area and although they remain relatively isolated, they are acknowledged by fellow community members and their customs are respected. The Amish community prides themselves on minimalist living. They do not use electricity and travel around in horse and buggy, a sight which you will grow accustomed to while you're in the area. They are excellent farmers and craftsmen and you can find shops that proudly sell Amish made goods. Their close are old fashion in nature. Women generally wear long dresses and bonnets while men wear black suits and hats. The Amish community has their own churches and their own schools. There are a handful of places where you can learn more about the Amish community in the area. The Amish Experience F/X Theater offers shows and the People's Place Quilt Museum shows some handicrafts. It is possible to take an Amish Country tour or visit the Mennonite Information Center for more information.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Lancaster or Berkshires?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Berkshires is $244, while the average daily cost in Lancaster is $183. 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 Berkshires and Lancaster in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Berkshires $141
    Lancaster $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Berkshires $282
    Lancaster $182
Compare Hotels in Berkshires and Lancaster

Looking for a hotel in Berkshires or Lancaster? 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 Berkshires


Hotels in Lancaster


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: Berkshires Hotel Prices and Lancaster Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Berkshires $47
    Lancaster $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Berkshires or Lancaster?

Prices for flights to both Lancaster and Berkshires 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
    Berkshires $73
    Lancaster $53

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lancaster

For Lancaster, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • International Food Tour Lancaster, Pennsylvania: $62
  • Red Rose Walking Food Tour in Lancaster: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Berkshires $25
    Lancaster $19

Tours and Activities in Berkshires

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

  • 2-Hour Guided Private Forest Bathing Experience Lenox: $40

Tours and Activities in Lancaster

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

  • Guided Tour of the 1792 Johannes Mueller House: $12
  • Guided Ghost Tour of Lititz: $12
  • 45-Minute Private Guided Historic Walking Tour in Lititz: $12
  • Historic Columbia, PA: Guided Tour of the Bank Museum: $14
  • Evening Ghost Tour by Candlelight: $25
  • Lititz Whiskey and History Tour : $25
  • Lancaster Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $25
  • Lancaster Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Lancaster County: Amish Farmlands, Museum Tour, Farm Visit: $36
  • Premium Amish Country Tour including Amish Farm and House: $36
  • Amish Experience SuperSaver Package: $47
  • Lancaster History and Breakfast Walking Tour: $57

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Berkshires $31
    Lancaster $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Lancaster

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

  • Guided Brewery Walking Tour in Lancaster City: $79
  • Lancaster City: The Ultimate Walking Craft Brewery Tour: $79


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Berkshires Expensive? and Is Lancaster Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Berkshires or Lancaster?

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 Berkshires or Lancaster in the Summer?

Both Lancaster and Berkshires during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Berkshires is cooler than Lancaster. Typically, the summer temperatures in Berkshires in July average around 72°F (22°C), and Lancaster averages at about 77°F (25°C).

In Lancaster, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Berkshires. In the summer, Berkshires often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster. Berkshires gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun.

Berkshires usually gets less rain in July than Lancaster. Berkshires gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Berkshires 72°F (22°C) 
    Lancaster 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Berkshires or Lancaster in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkshires and Lancaster. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year.

In October, Berkshires is generally cooler than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Berkshires average around 51°F (11°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Berkshires usually receives less sunshine than Lancaster during autumn. Berkshires gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Berkshires usually receives less rain than Lancaster. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Berkshires 51°F (11°C) 
    Lancaster 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Berkshires or Lancaster in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Berkshires as well as Lancaster. Also, many travelers come to Lancaster for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lancaster. It's quite cold in Berkshires in the winter. Berkshires is much colder than Lancaster in the winter. The daily temperature in Berkshires averages around 22°F (-6°C) in January, and Lancaster fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Berkshires often gets less sunshine than Lancaster. Berkshires gets 138 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun.

Berkshires usually gets less rain in January than Lancaster. Berkshires gets 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Berkshires 22°F (-6°C) 
    Lancaster 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Berkshires or Lancaster in the Spring?

Both Lancaster and Berkshires are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Lancaster in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Berkshires is cooler than Lancaster. Typically, the spring temperatures in Berkshires in April average around 47°F (9°C), and Lancaster averages at about 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Lancaster. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Berkshires. Berkshires usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during spring. Berkshires gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Berkshires usually receives less rain than Lancaster. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Berkshires 47°F (9°C) 
    Lancaster 53°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Lancaster and Berkshires

Berkshires Lancaster
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°F (-6°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Feb 24°F (-4°C) 2 inches (51 mm) 33°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Mar 35°F (2°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 47°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
May 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jun 67°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Jul 72°F (22°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Aug 70°F (21°C) 3 inches (76 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Sep 62°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Oct 51°F (11°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Nov 41°F (5°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 28°F (-2°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)