Which place is cheaper, Niagara Falls or Charleston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Charleston or Niagara Falls?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Niagara Falls, 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 Niagara Falls?
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.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, Ontario sits on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, across the border from Niagara Falls, New York. Together these cities have claimed themselves to be the "Honeymoon Capital of the World" a status that is probably little more than a marketing ploy. That said, Niagara Falls, Ontario, is perhaps a quainter and more natural version of its American counterpart. The town has existed as a tourist destination for hundreds of years, with its main attraction, obviously, being Niagara Falls. Today, millions of visitors come to see the falls every year. It's truly an impressive sight, and there is no shortage of entertainment options while you're in the area.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCharleston $170Niagara Falls $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Charleston is $170, while the average daily cost in Niagara Falls is $122. 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 Niagara Falls in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCharleston $90Niagara Falls $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCharleston $180Niagara Falls $148
Compare Hotels in Charleston and Niagara Falls
Looking for a hotel in Charleston or Niagara Falls? 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.
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 Niagara Falls Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Charleston $33Niagara Falls $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
- 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
- From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city – Arrival Private Transfer: $88
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $88
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $104
- Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island to Charleston Airport –Departure Private Transfer: $104
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Folly Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $104
- Charleston Airport to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island– Arrival Private Transfer: $104
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Kiawah/Seabrook Islands – Arrival Private Transfer: $118
- Charleston Airport: One-Way Transfer to Charleston: $153
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Niagara Falls
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Niagara Falls:
- Buffalo to Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) - Departure Private Transfer: $41
- Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) to Buffalo - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- Niagara Buffalo Airport Departure: Private Transfer to Buffalo Niagara Airport: $79
- Niagara Buffalo Airport Arrival: Private Transfer to Niagara Falls Ontario: $80
- Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) to Buffalo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $83
- Private Departure Transfer: Niagara Falls, Ontario to Buffalo Niagara International Airport: $87
- Private Arrival Transfer: Buffalo Niagara Airport to Niagara Falls, Ontario: $88
- Private Arrival Transfer from Buffalo Airport (BUF): $96
- Private Transfer: Niagara Int’l Airport (IAG) USA to Niagara Falls, ON: $97
- Shared Airport Transfer: Buffalo Niagara International Airport to Niagara Falls NY: $99
- Transfer Buffalo Niagara International Airport BUF to Niagara Falls,Canada: $103
- Private Departure Transfer to Buffalo Airport (BUF): $104
Is it cheaper to fly into Charleston or Niagara Falls?
Prices for flights to both Niagara Falls 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
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Food Meals for one dayCharleston $58Niagara Falls $28
Typical Food Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
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Lunch in downtown Charleston for two$21
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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: $72
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $88
- Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $93
- Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $95
- Charleston Food Tour: $99
- Historic Downtown Food Tour with Tastings: $99
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $108
- Charleston Farm-to-Table Food Tour and Chef's Challenge: $109
- Charleston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour: $110
- Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour: $110
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Niagara Falls
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Niagara Falls.
- The Wing Ride: The Hidden History of Chicken Wings Food Tour: $105
- Walking Food Tour in Niagara Falls: $108
- Niagara Falls Sightseeing Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $130
- Sunset Wine Tour with Dinner Niagara On The Lake: $146
- Guided Night Tour w/ Dinner & Hotel Transfer: $149
- Light up The Falls Small Group Tour with Fallsview Dinner: $155
- Evening Lights Tour with Skylon Tower Dinner: $177
- Sunset Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Dinner: $178
- Niagara Wine Tasting and three courses Dinner: $192
- Niagara Falls Evening Lights Tour With Skylon Tower Dinner: $192
- Night on Niagara Walking Tour with Fireworks Cruise + Dinner: $200
- Small Group Night Tour w/ Dinner & Light Show: $204
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Charleston $22Niagara Falls $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
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Patriots Point (for 2)$60
Tours and Activities in Charleston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
- The French Quarter: GPS Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $5.99
- Self-Guided Ghost Tour: $6.99
- Self-Guided "The French Quarter Charleston" Solo Walking Tour: $7.50
- Cinematic, Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in Charleston: $10
- Self-Guided Highlights Walking Audio Tour: $12
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Self-Guided Audio History Walking Tour: $12
- Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
- Trolley Tour in Wadmalaw Island of South Carolina: $17
- Charleston's Miracle Mile: Church and Cemetery Walking Tour: $21
- History & Storytelling Tour: $24
- The Ghosts of Liberty Guided Walking Tour: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Niagara Falls
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Niagara Falls are as follows:
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Maid of the Mist$37
Tours and Activities in Niagara Falls
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Niagara Falls are as follows:
- Visit Niagara Falls with bus ticket from/to Hamilton Airport: $3.65
- Niagara Peninsula Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $6.21
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Niagara Adventure Theater: $11
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Niagara SkyWheel Ticket: $12
- Niagara SkyWheel Admission Ticket: $13
- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site Admission and Guided Tour: $13
- Niagara's Fury 4D Experience Entry Ticket: $14
- Niagara Falls USA Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
- Niagara Falls, Canada: White Water Walk Entry Ticket: $16
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Skylon Tower Observation Deck Ticket: $16
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Bird Kingdom Entry Ticket: $16
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Buffalo by Zombie Scavengers: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCharleston $36Niagara Falls $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
- Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $20
- Women and Wine Tour: $20
- Charleston Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $27
- Guided Pub Crawl and Haunted History Tour: $30
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
- Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
- Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- Historic District Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $40
- Charleston Brewery District Cruise (Public Tour): $95
- Wadmalaw Island Wine Tasting and Tea Garden Trip: $135
- Half Day Party Bus Brewery Tour of Charleston: $140
Sample the Local Flavors in Niagara Falls
Also in Niagara Falls, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation : $56
- Small Group Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tasting Tour: $96
- Sip, Swirl and Savour Chocolate & Wine Tour : $103
- Niagara Craft Brewery Tour Niagara Falls: $110
- 3.5 Hours NOTL E-Bike Wine Tour: $111
- Niagara All American All inclusive Boutique Wine Tour : $114
- Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour: $119
- Full-Day Group Wine Tour (with cheese and charcuterie) in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $141
- myWineCountry Experience Premium Wine Tours and Tastings: $148
- Relaxing three courses Lunch & Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $148
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Picnic Lunch: $149
- Luxury Buffalo Brewery Tour: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charleston and Niagara Falls, we can see that Charleston is more expensive. And not only is Niagara Falls much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Niagara Falls would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charleston Expensive? and Is Niagara Falls Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Charleston or Niagara Falls?
Charleston has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Niagara Falls. When comparing the sizes of Charleston and Niagara Falls, 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 Niagara Falls?
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 Niagara Falls in the Summer?
Both Niagara Falls and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Charleston in the summer for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Charleston is generally a little warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 82°F (28°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
It's quite sunny in Niagara Falls. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charleston. Charleston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Niagara Falls during summer. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Charleston. In July, Charleston usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCharleston 82°F (28°C)Niagara Falls 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Charleston or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?
Both Niagara Falls and Charleston during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Charleston for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Charleston is much warmer than Niagara Falls in the autumn. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 67°F (19°C) in October, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the autumn, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Charleston gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 148 hours of full sun.
Charleston usually gets more rain in October than Niagara Falls. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCharleston 67°F (19°C)Niagara Falls 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Charleston or Niagara Falls in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Niagara Falls. The winter months attract visitors to Charleston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Niagara Falls in the winter. In the winter, Charleston is much warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charleston in January average around 47°F (9°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about -4°C (26°F).
Charleston usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during winter. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 89 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Charleston usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCharleston 47°F (9°C)Niagara Falls -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Charleston or Niagara Falls in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Niagara Falls. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.
In April, Charleston is generally much warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 64°F (18°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Niagara Falls. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charleston this time of the year. In the spring, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 203 hours of full sun.
Charleston usually gets more rain in April than Niagara Falls. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCharleston 64°F (18°C)Niagara Falls 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Charleston
| Charleston | Niagara Falls | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | -4°C (26°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | -3°C (28°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 23°C (74°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 22°C (72°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 76°F (25°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 6°C (43°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 51°F (10°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | -0°C (31°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
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.