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

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Should you visit Charleston or Berkeley?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Berkeley, 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.

Where Should I go: Charleston or Berkeley?

Charleston

Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.

Berkeley

Berkeley is considered to be perhaps the most progressive or liberal city in the United States. The town has deep roots in the Free Speech movement of the 1960s. Visitors, students, and locals alike will find an eclectic mix of cultures and viewpoints. The city's free-thinking environment has witnessed the creation of quality attractions, great food from many world cultures, and of course the internationally renowned University of California, Berkeley (also known as "Cal" or "Cal Berkeley").

Which place is cheaper, Berkeley or Charleston?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Charleston is $170, while the average daily cost in Berkeley is $190. 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 Charleston and Berkeley in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Charleston $90
    Berkeley $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Charleston $180
    Berkeley $262
Compare Hotels in Charleston and Berkeley

Looking for a hotel in Charleston or Berkeley? 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 Charleston


Hotels in Berkeley


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: Charleston Hotel Prices and Berkeley Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Charleston $33
    Berkeley $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:

  • Private Transfer From/ to Charleston International Airport (CHS) : $50
  • Private Transfer from Charleston Cruise Port to Charleston city: $55
  • Private Transfer from Charleston City to Charleston Cruise Port: $55
  • Private Transfer from Charleston Port to Charleston Airport (CHS): $59
  • Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $59
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS): $64
  • Private Departure Transfer to Charleston Airport (CHS): $64
  • Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city – Arrival Private Transfer: $88
  • Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $88
  • Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island to Charleston Airport –Departure Private Transfer: $104
  • Charleston Airport to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island– Arrival Private Transfer: $104
  • Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $104

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berkeley

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Berkeley:

  • Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland hotel or address - Private Arrival Transfer: $44
  • Oakland hotel or address to Oakland Airport (OAK) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
  • Oakland Airport (OAK) to San Francisco hotel/address - Private Arrival Transfer: $63
  • Private Departure Transfer to Oakland Airport OAK: $81
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport OAK: $81
  • Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Oakland International Airport (OAK): $93
  • Departure Private Transfer Oakland to San Francisco Cruise Port in Business Car: $104
  • Departure Private Transfer Oakland to SFO Airport in Business Car: $114
  • Departure Private Transfer Oakland to San Francisco Cruise Port in a Luxury Car: $124
  • Oakland Airport (OAK) to San Francisco - Round-Trip Private Car Transfer: $127
  • Departure Private Transfer Oakland to SFO Airport in a Luxury Car: $133

Is it cheaper to fly into Charleston or Berkeley?

Prices for flights to both Berkeley and Charleston 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
    Charleston $58
    Berkeley $36
Typical Food prices in Charleston

Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:


  • Lunch in downtown Charleston for two
    $21
  • Breakfast
    $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston

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

  • Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $63
  • The Dinner Detective Mystery Dinner Show - Charleston, SC: $70
  • Charleston Food Tour: $75
  • Historic Downtown Food Tour with Tastings: $75
  • Charleston Brunch and Broad Walking Food Tour w/Secret Food Tours: $85
  • Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $86
  • Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $93
  • Small Group Food Tour – Savor the Flavors: $95
  • Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $95
  • Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour: $95
  • Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour: $95
  • 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $103

Typical Food prices in Berkeley

Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:


  • Chocolates at Sweet Dreams
    $4.46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley

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

  • North 3-Hour Food Tour: $116
  • Best of North Berkeley Food Tour: $130
  • Black Food Tour - Downtown Oakland: $140
  • Berkeley New Year's Eve Plated Dinner Cruise: $405

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Charleston $22
    Berkeley $30
Typical Entertainment prices in Charleston

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:


  • Patriots Point (for 2)
    $60

Tours and Activities in Charleston

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:

  • Charleston Self-Guided Ghost Tour Audio: $2.50
  • Self-Guided "The French Quarter Charleston" Solo Walking Tour: $5.00
  • Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in Charleston: $5.00
  • The French Quarter: GPS Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $5.99
  • Charleston Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Charleston's Haunted Ghost Tour - Solo Smart Phone Guided Tour: $6.75
  • Self-Guided Ghost Tour: $6.99
  • Ghost Tour Charleston: $7.00
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Charleston by Operation City Quest: $10
  • 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Self-Guided Audio History Walking Tour: $12
  • Self-Guided Highlights Walking Audio Tour: $13

Tours and Activities in Berkeley

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Berkeley are as follows:

  • Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket: $12
  • UC Berkeley Private 2 hour Walking Tour: $20
  • Comedy Oakland at The Washington Inn Show Tickets: $20
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Antioch by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Berkeley by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Oakland Athletics Baseball Game Ticket at RingCentral Coliseum: $37
  • Redwoods of Marin and Mt. Tamalpais Walking Tour with Local Guide: $64
  • Historic Houseboat Tour: $65
  • Classic Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour: $135
  • Private Charter - Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay (2 hrs): $799
  • Private Charter - Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay (3 hrs): $899
  • Full-Day Private San Francisco Bay Sailing Tour: $1,120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Charleston $36
    Berkeley $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston

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

  • Charleston Bar Hunt: Charleston Chase Bar Crawl: $13
  • Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $20
  • Women and Wine Tour: $20
  • Charleston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Guided Pub Crawl and Haunted History Tour: $30
  • Charleston Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $34
  • Speakeasy Sagas - Charleston Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
  • Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
  • Holy City Homicide! Charleston's True Crime Pub Crawl: $35
  • Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
  • Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
  • Haunted Pub Crawl of the Market: $37

Sample the Local Flavors in Berkeley

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

  • Guided Wine Tasting at Berkeley Wineries with Local Sommelière : $175
  • Bay Area Brewery Tour: $307
  • Livermore Valley All-Inclusive Wine Tour: $515
  • Napa Valley All-Inclusive Wine Tour: $599
  • Sonoma Valley All-Inclusive Wine Tour: $599

How are these travel costs calculated?

When comparing the travel costs between Charleston and Berkeley, we can see that Berkeley 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, Charleston or Berkeley?

Berkeley is bigger, and its population is about 4% larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the population of Charleston vs. Berkeley, 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 Charleston or Berkeley?

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 Charleston or Berkeley in the Summer?

Both Berkeley and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Charleston because of the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Charleston is much warmer than Berkeley in the summer. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Berkeley fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Charleston. In July, Charleston usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Charleston 82°F (28°C) 
    Berkeley 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Charleston or Berkeley in the Autumn?

Both Berkeley and Charleston during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.

In the autumn, Charleston is around the same temperature as Berkeley. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charleston in October average around 67°F (19°C), and Berkeley averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Charleston usually gets more rain in October than Berkeley. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Charleston 67°F (19°C) 
    Berkeley 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Charleston or Berkeley in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Berkeley. Many travelers come to Charleston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Charleston is generally cooler than Berkeley. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 47°F (9°C), and Berkeley fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

In January, Charleston usually receives less rain than Berkeley. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Charleston 47°F (9°C) 
    Berkeley 50°F (10°C)

Should I visit Charleston or Berkeley in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Berkeley. Many visitors come to Charleston in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Charleston is a little warmer than Berkeley in the spring. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Berkeley fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Charleston usually gets more rain in April than Berkeley. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Charleston 64°F (18°C) 
    Berkeley 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Berkeley and Charleston

Charleston Berkeley
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 47°F (9°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Feb 50°F (10°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 58°F (14°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Apr 64°F (18°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 58°F (14°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
May 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm) 60°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 78°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 6.9 inches (176 mm) 63°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm)
Sep 76°F (25°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm) 66°F (19°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 67°F (19°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 63°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Nov 58°F (15°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Dec 51°F (10°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (68 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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