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

Should you visit Charleston or Reno?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Reno, 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 Reno?

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.

Reno

In the northwest area of Nevada, Reno sits at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. After Las Vegas, it's the second most popular tourist destination in the state of Nevada. You'll find some nice resorts, elaborate casinos, nice restaurants and unique opportunities for entertainment throughout the city.

The city, referred to as "The Biggest Little City in the World", has a population of about 235,000. It's part of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, which has a population of about 440,000.

Reno is located in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The city has a steppe climate with light to moderate snowfall in the winter months. Precipitation is most common during the winter and spring, but the city averages about 300 days of sunshine a year. Average temperatures are 35 degrees Fahrenheit in December and 75 degrees Fahrenheit in July.

Which place is cheaper, Reno 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 Reno is $144. 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 Reno in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Charleston $90
    Reno $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Charleston $180
    Reno $110
Compare Hotels in Charleston and Reno

Looking for a hotel in Charleston or Reno? 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 Reno


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 Reno Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Charleston $33
    Reno $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:

  • Private Transfer from Charleston Port to Charleston Airport (CHS): $59
  • Private Transfer from Charleston Cruise Port to Charleston city: $55
  • Private Transfer from Charleston City to Charleston Cruise Port: $55
  • Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $59
  • Private Transfer From/ to Charleston International Airport (CHS) : $50
  • Private Departure Transfer to Charleston Airport (CHS): $64
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS): $64
  • Middleton Place Private Transfer from Charleston and Airport: $440
  • Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island to Charleston Airport –Departure Private Transfer: $104
  • Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $104
  • Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $88
  • Charleston International Airport (CHS) - Private Round Trip transfer: $312

Typical Local Transportation prices in Reno

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Reno:


  • Car Wash
    $5.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reno

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

  • Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Heavenly Mountain - Arrival Transfer: $33
  • Reno Tahoe Airport to Northstar/Squaw Valley - Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Reno to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Private Arrival Transfer : $55
  • Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
  • Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Mammoth Mountain: Arrival Transfer: $186
  • Reno Tahoe Airport to Heavenly Mountain - Round-Trip Transfer: $219
  • Reno Tahoe Airport(RNO) to Mammoth Mountain Round Trip Transfer: $372

Is it cheaper to fly into Charleston or Reno?

Prices for flights to both Reno 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
    Reno $54
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 Reno

For Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dennys for Breakfast
    $22
  • Sushi DInner (for 2)
    $40
  • In-n-Out Burger (for 3)
    $19

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Charleston $22
    Reno $88
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:

  • 2 Hours Shem Creek Safari Kayak Tour: $52
  • 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston: $54
  • 2-Hour Weekday Private Harbor Cruise with Captain in Charleston: $450
  • 2-Hours Roaring 20s Premium Cocktail Walking Tour: $110
  • 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • 4 Hour Private Boat Tour: $1,000
  • 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour : $31
  • A tour to "Charleston Romance": $274
  • Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor: $55
  • Behind the Scenes of Shem Creek Shrimp Walking Tour: $25
  • Boat rental and tours: $650
  • Boone Hall Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston: $78

Tours and Activities in Reno

For Reno, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • From Reno Arch to Truckee River: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Reno by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Reno Scavenger Hunt: Reno Adventure: $12
  • Lake Tahoe: Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour: $14
  • Crime Solving Detective Experience Carson City : $15
  • Gangs and Gamblers Haunted Walking Tour: $26
  • Reno Ghosts Tour: $33
  • Carson City Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Reno Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • (18+) Private 30-Minute Axe Throwing Experience Ticket: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Charleston $36
    Reno $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 Reno

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

  • 1 Hour Distillery Tour and Tasting Flight: $25
  • Brewery Tour: $130
  • Brewery District Tour: $133
  • Private Distillery Tour by Pedicab with Tastings: $159
  • Pedicab Distillery Tour: $192


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charleston and Reno, we can see that Charleston is more expensive. And not only is Reno much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Reno would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Reno 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 Reno.

Which is Bigger, Charleston or Reno?

Reno is bigger, and its population is about 2.1 times larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the population of Charleston vs. Reno, 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.

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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Charleston vs. Reno Travel Comparison

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