A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Chapel Hill vs. Charlotte for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Chapel Hill or Charlotte?

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Charlotte? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Chapel Hill or Charlotte?

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a college town in North Carolina that, together with Raleigh and Durham, makes up the Research Triangle area. The town is 28 miles northwest of Raleigh and 12 miles southwest of Durham. Chapel Hill dates back to 1819 when it was founded to support the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With a population of just over 52,000, Chapel Hill has the vibe of a small college town with the amenities of a larger community. It's proximity to both Raleigh and Durham give it an economic boost that provides economic diversity and security.

Charlotte

With a population of almost 800,000, Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina. The city has grown rapidly in recent years and the thriving economy has led to major revitalization efforts in the city's central district. The city is a center for finance, industry, technology, and entertainment within the state. It is the location of the corporate headquarters of Bank of America as well as the east coast operations of Wells Fargo, making it the second largest banking center in the United States. Although Charlotte has never been considered a significant tourist destination, recent efforts to enhance the urban core and develop entertainment venues have begun to appeal to outside visitors.

Which place is cheaper, Charlotte or Chapel Hill?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Chapel Hill is $164, while the average daily cost in Charlotte is $191. 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 Chapel Hill and Charlotte in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chapel Hill $95
    Charlotte $118
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chapel Hill $190
    Charlotte $236
Compare Hotels in Chapel Hill and Charlotte

Looking for a hotel in Chapel Hill or Charlotte? 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 Chapel Hill


Hotels in Charlotte


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: Chapel Hill Hotel Prices and Charlotte Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chapel Hill $34
    Charlotte $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlotte

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

  • Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by SUV: $187
  • Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by Sedan car: $144
  • Arrival Transfer: Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte in Business Car: $133
  • Charlotte City to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $136
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Spartanburg - Arrival Private Transfer: $148
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Spartanburg - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $295
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT): 1-Way Transfer to Charlotte: $99
  • Charlotte Douglas Int. Airport One-Way Transfer to /from Charlotte: $148
  • Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT Sedan Car: $125
  • Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT by SUV: $168

Is it cheaper to fly into Chapel Hill or Charlotte?

Prices for flights to both Charlotte and Chapel Hill 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
    Chapel Hill $49
    Charlotte $46

Typical Food prices in Charlotte

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


  • Pizza at Airport
    $4.03
  • Cracker Barrel Lunch (family of 4)
    $29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chapel Hill $17
    Charlotte $43

Tours and Activities in Chapel Hill

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

  • 8 Hours Private Crystal Coast Sightseeing in North Carolina: $275
  • Carolina History & Haunts Greensboro Historical Ghost Tour: $19
  • Coastal Excursion/Sunset Cruise/Sand Dollars/Sea Shells/Horses: $225
  • Full-Day Private Tour to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge: $1,000
  • Morning Aerial Adventure Adult Course from Riegelwood: $55
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Greensboro by Zombie Scavengers: $20

Tours and Activities in Charlotte

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

  • Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour: Smartphone Audio & GPS Tour: $6.50
  • Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour - Smartphone guided audio/gps Tour at your own pace: $6.75
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Charlotte by 3Quest Challenge: $10
  • Uptown A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City: $12
  • Self-Guided City Highlights Audio Tour: $12
  • Sunset Walking Tour: Bronze Statues Tell the Story of Charlotte: $15
  • UPTOWN FUNK: 1 Hour Guided Historical Walking Tour in Charlotte: $15
  • Carolina Panthers Football Game Ticket at Bank of America Stadium: $17
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Charlotte by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Charlotte Hornets Basketball Game Ticket at Spectrum Center: $23
  • Charlotte Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Carolina History and Haunts Charlotte Historical Ghost Walking Tour : $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chapel Hill $40
    Charlotte $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Chapel Hill

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

  • Wacky Fayetteville Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Charlotte

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

  • Trolley Pub Tour of Charlotte: $42
  • Charlotte Brewery Crawl Tour: $48
  • Original Charlotte Brewery Tour - Craft Beer Experience : $125
  • Bar Crawl on a Rollin Disco Ball Golf Cart in Charlotte: $240

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Charlotte?

Charlotte is bigger, and its population is about 12.6 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the population of Chapel Hill vs. Charlotte, 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 Chapel Hill or Charlotte?

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 Chapel Hill or Charlotte in the Summer?

Both Charlotte and Chapel Hill during the summer are popular places to visit.

Chapel Hill is around the same temperature as Charlotte in the summer. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Charlotte fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

In Charlotte, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. In the summer, Chapel Hill often gets less sunshine than Charlotte. Chapel Hill gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 289 hours of full sun.

Charlotte gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in July than Charlotte. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Chapel Hill 79°F (26°C) 
    Charlotte 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Charlotte in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Charlotte.

In the autumn, Chapel Hill is around the same temperature as Charlotte. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chapel Hill in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Charlotte averages at about 63°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chapel Hill usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte during autumn. Chapel Hill gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 223 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chapel Hill usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charlotte. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Chapel Hill 61°F (16°C) 
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Charlotte in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Charlotte.

Chapel Hill can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Chapel Hill is generally cooler than Charlotte. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 40°F (5°C), and Charlotte fluctuates around 42°F (6°C).

In the winter, Chapel Hill often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte. Chapel Hill gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 173 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill usually gets less rain in January than Charlotte. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Chapel Hill 40°F (5°C) 
    Charlotte 42°F (6°C)

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Charlotte in the Spring?

Both Charlotte and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Chapel Hill is around the same temperature as Charlotte in the spring. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Charlotte fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlotte. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill usually receives less sunshine than Charlotte during spring. Chapel Hill gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chapel Hill usually receives less rain than Charlotte. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Chapel Hill 60°F (16°C) 
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Charlotte and Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill Charlotte
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 54°F (12°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm)
Apr 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 63°F (17°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Jun 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 80°F (27°C) 4 inches (101 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Oct 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Nov 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.4 inches (87 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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Chapel Hill vs. Charlotte Travel Comparison

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