A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charleston vs. Alexandria for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Charleston or Alexandria?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Alexandria, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Charleston

Charleston is a picturesque, charming, and southern coastal town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a charming, quaint, and historic city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Charleston and Alexandria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charleston or Alexandria?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Charleston than Alexandria. While Alexandria is larger than Charleston, Charleston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Charleston is very popular for its food, music, resorts, beaches, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Alexandria attracts visitors for its museums and small town charm. Charleston is famous for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses. It is also well known for The Waterfront Park. Alexandria is famous for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere.

How is Charleston different from Alexandria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Alexandria and Charleston. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charleston or Alexandria?

Alexandria is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Alexandria can be an interesting and educational experience. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

Charleston is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. This city is famous for its many historic churches and plantations. The plantations are open to visit and will educate you on the city's past, which is heavily involved in slavery. You can also visit Fort Sumter National Monument by boat or take a tour of the USS Yorktown.

Is the Food Better in Charleston or Alexandria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Charleston is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Charleston, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Food lovers will enjoy the city's low country classics. There are many local restaurants in town that serve southern specialties. You can also head a bit out of the town center if you want a waterfront restaurant. Local favorites include she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, cornbread, and fried green tomatoes.

Alexandria offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

Is Charleston or Alexandria Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Charleston and Alexandria.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charleston. As a college town, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around town. There's also a lively music scene. Head to the areas near the college for the most affordable and active nightlife. Popular clubs in town include Cure Night Club, Deco Nightclub, and Mynt.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Is Charleston or Alexandria Better for Music?

Charleston is a good destination for its music scene. However, Alexandria is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Charleston. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.

Alexandria is not a live music destination.

Is Charleston or Alexandria Better for Resorts?

Charleston is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Alexandria is not a resort destination.

Charleston has a few great resort options. The town has mostly hotels and bed and breakfasts in the downtown area, but nearby Kiawah Island has a number of nice resorts to choose from. Kiawah Island is particularly kid-friendly if you're looking for a family beach vacation. If you have a bit more money to spend and want something more residential, check out nearby Seabrook Island.

Alexandria is not a resort destination.

Is Charleston or Alexandria Better for Beaches?

Charleston is great for the beach. However, Alexandria is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Charleston for it's beautiful beaches. The area has a number of beautiful and fun nearby beaches including Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. Folly Beach is an active and quirky beach area, while Kiawah is more family-friendly. Seabrook is more residential and more expensive.

Alexandria is not a beach destination.

Is Charleston or Alexandria Better for its Old Town?

Charleston and Alexandria both have world-class historical old towns that attract visitors.

Charleston offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Charleston's downtown is one of the most charming and well preserved Old Town's in the United States. It's easy to see why it's become a world class destination.

Alexandria has a world-famous historical area. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Is the Shopping Better in Charleston or Alexandria?

Charleston is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Charleston specifically to go shopping. The city is famous for its historic market in the center of town. Local goods, foods, and crafts are sold daily here. There are also many clothing and local shops throughout town, particularly along King Street, which has boutiques and high end outlets. Outside of town, stop by Tanger Outlet Mall if you want name brands at a discount price.

Alexandria is an extremely popular place for shoppers. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Is Charleston or Alexandria Better for Christmas?

Charleston is great for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Alexandria does not offer Christmas activities.

Charleston is a very popular destination during Christmas. During the Christmas season there are a number of festivals, light shows, and even a boat parade that everyone can enjoy.

Alexandria does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Charleston or Alexandria Better for Christmas Markets?

Charleston is a good destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Alexandria does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Charleston. Marion Square hosts Christmas Markets on weekends throughout the holiday season.

Alexandria does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Charleston or Alexandria Better for Families?

Charleston is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Charleston offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of family-friendly activities like carriage rides and boat rides. There's also an aquarium, a waterfront park, and many kid-friendly museums. The nearby beaches also make it a wonderful place to visit with kids.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Charleston or Alexandria Better for Couples?

Charleston is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Charleston is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This beautiful city is one of the most popular wedding destinations in America. It's a very romantic setting with beautiful hotels and bed and breakfasts that are perfect for couples on their honeymoon or looking for a romantic setting.

Alexandria is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Is Charleston or Alexandria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alexandria is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Charleston is a mediocre coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Charleston is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Hotels in the old town tend to be pricey and there isn't the backpacker community that you find in many other destinations. Still, there are a couple of hostels.

Is Charleston or Alexandria Better for Students?

Charleston is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Charleston. The city is a college town with a young vibe that is perfect for students. There's a nice university area where you'll find cheaper places to eat and a good nightlife scene.

Alexandria is not popular with students.

Is Charleston or Alexandria Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alexandria is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. However, Charleston is a mediocre coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Alexandria is top-notch. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Charleston. While there are some buses, you really must have a car to fully experience the entire area.

Is Charleston or Alexandria a more walkable city?

Alexandria is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Alexandria on foot. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

Charleston is very walkable. The downtown area is very walkable, but once you leave the historic heart, it's best to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Charleston Worth Visiting? and Is Alexandria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alexandria or Charleston?

How long in Charleston or Alexandria?

It's fun to spend time in either Charleston or Alexandria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Charleston due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Charleston, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alexandria.

Families should spend more time in Charleston than Alexandria. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Charleston, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Charleston than Alexandria. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Charleston that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alexandria than Charleston if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Alexandria.

One day in Charleston or Alexandria?

With live music and food around the historic coastal town of Charleston, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Alexandria, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Charleston or Alexandria?

With food and shopping around the destination of Charleston, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Alexandria, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Charleston or Alexandria?

Charleston, a popular coastal town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Alexandria, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Charleston or Alexandria?

Charleston is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Alexandria is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Charleston or Alexandria?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the sizes of Charleston and Alexandria, 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Charleston or Alexandria?

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 Charleston or Alexandria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Alexandria. Many travelers come to Charleston for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Alexandria in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Charleston is around the same temperature as Alexandria in the summer. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Alexandria fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alexandria. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charleston this time of the year. In the summer, Charleston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alexandria. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 278 hours of full sun.

Charleston receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charleston usually gets more rain in July than Alexandria. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or Alexandria in the Autumn?

Both Alexandria and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Charleston in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Alexandria for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Charleston is a little warmer than Alexandria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charleston in October average around 67°F (19°C), and Alexandria averages at about 60°F (15°C).

Charleston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Alexandria during autumn. Charleston gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charleston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alexandria. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charleston or Alexandria in the Winter?

Both Alexandria and Charleston during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Charleston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Alexandria can be very cold. In January, Charleston is generally much warmer than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 47°F (9°C), and Alexandria fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 139 hours of full sun.

Charleston usually gets more rain in January than Alexandria. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or Alexandria in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Alexandria. The spring months attract visitors to Charleston because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year.

Charleston is a little warmer than Alexandria in the spring. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Alexandria fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alexandria this time of the year. In Charleston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charleston usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during spring. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charleston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alexandria. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alexandria and Charleston