A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlotte vs. Bangor for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Charlotte or Bangor?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Bangor can help you decide which place is right for you.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a evolving, up-and-coming, and growing city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bangor

Bangor is a friendly, laid back, and welcoming town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Charlotte and Bangor: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Charlotte or Bangor?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Charlotte. Although Charlotte and Bangor are popular destinations, Charlotte has more sights and attractions for tourists. Charlotte is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Bangor attracts visitors for its small town charm. Charlotte is famous for its banking industry and growing Uptown area. It is also well known for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Bangor is famous for its history as a lumber town.

How is Charlotte different from Bangor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charlotte or Bangor?

Charlotte
Bangor

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Bangor and Charlotte.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlotte. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Bangor is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.


Is the Food Better in Charlotte or Bangor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Charlotte
Bangor

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Charlotte and Bangor.

Charlotte is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

Bangor offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

Is Charlotte or Bangor Better for Nightlife?

Charlotte
Bangor

Charlotte is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlotte. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bangor. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlotte or Bangor?

Charlotte
Bangor

If you're looking to go shopping, Charlotte and Bangor both offer plenty of nice spots.

Charlotte has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

Bangor is a great destination for shopping. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.


Is Charlotte or Bangor Better for Families?

Charlotte
Bangor

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Charlotte or Bangor.

Charlotte offers lots of family activities. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

Bangor is a family-friendly place to visit. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.

Is Charlotte or Bangor Better for Couples?

Charlotte
Bangor

Charlotte is a city with good options for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Charlotte is a good city for couples to visit. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

Is Charlotte or Bangor Better for Students?

Charlotte
Bangor

Charlotte is a city with good options for students. However, Bangor is not popular with students.

Charlotte is a good city to visit for students. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Bangor is not popular with students.


Is Charlotte or Bangor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Charlotte
Bangor

Charlotte is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Bangor is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Charlotte has a few public transit options. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Is Charlotte or Bangor a more walkable city?

Charlotte
Bangor

Charlotte and Bangor are nice when it comes to walkability.

Charlotte is a somewhat walkable city. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

Bangor is somewhat walkable. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Charlotte Worth Visiting? and Is Bangor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bangor or Charlotte?

How long in Charlotte or Bangor?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Charlotte or Bangor to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Charlotte than Bangor because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Charlotte, and 1-2 days is enough time in Bangor.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charlotte than Bangor 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 Charlotte.


  • How many days in Charlotte or Bangor? Ideal Length of Stay
    Charlotte 1-3 
    Bangor 1-2

One day in Charlotte or Bangor?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Charlotte. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Bangor. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bangor has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


A weekend in Charlotte or Bangor?

Charlotte is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and food around the welcoming destination of Bangor. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Charlotte or Bangor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlotte. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the friendly town of Bangor. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Charlotte or Bangor?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the growing destination of Charlotte. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bangor is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Bangor or Charlotte?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Charlotte is $191, while the average daily cost in Bangor is $197. 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 Charlotte and Bangor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Charlotte $118
    Bangor $114
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Charlotte $236
    Bangor $228
Compare Hotels in Charlotte and Bangor

Looking for a hotel in Charlotte or Bangor? 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 Charlotte


Hotels in Bangor


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: Charlotte Hotel Prices and Bangor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Charlotte $33
    Bangor $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlotte

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

  • Private Departure Transfer to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT): $54
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT): 1-Way Transfer to Charlotte: $99
  • Arrival Transfer: Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte in Business Car: $133
  • Departure Transfer: Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT in Business Car: $133
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $136
  • Charlotte Round Trip Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer by Sedan: $150

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangor:

  • Private Transfer from Bangor Airport(BGR) to Rockland Cruise Port: $69
  • Private Transfer from Bangor city hotels to Rockland Cruise Port: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Charlotte or Bangor?

Prices for flights to both Bangor and Charlotte 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
    Charlotte $46
    Bangor $54
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.
    Charlotte $43
    Bangor $45

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
  • Self-Guided City Highlights Audio Tour: $12
  • Uptown A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City: $12
  • Uptown Funk: 1 Hour Guided Walking Tour of Charlotte: $15
  • UPTOWN FUNK: 1 Hour Guided Historical Walking Tour in Charlotte: $15
  • UPTOWN AT SUNDOWN: 1 Hour Guided Arts Walking Tour in Charlotte: $15
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Charlotte by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Charlotte Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Sea Life Charlotte Concord Aquarium Admission Ticket: $25
  • Charlottesville: Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour: $26

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangor

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


  • Children's Museum (for 4)
    $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Charlotte $20
    Bangor $23

Sample the Local Flavors in Charlotte

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

  • 3-Hour Brewery Crawl on 7 passenger Cart: $48
  • Charlotte Brewery Crawl Tour: $48
  • Bar Crawl on a Rollin Disco Ball Golf Cart in Charlotte: $240


When comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Bangor, we can see that Bangor 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.

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


Which is Bigger, Charlotte or Bangor?

Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bangor. When comparing the sizes of Charlotte and Bangor, 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 Charlotte or Bangor?

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 Charlotte or Bangor in the Summer?

Both Bangor and Charlotte during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Charlotte for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bangor in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Charlotte is a little warmer than Bangor in the summer. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Bangor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. Charlotte usually gets more rain in July than Bangor. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Charlotte 81°F (27°C) 
    Bangor 69°F (21°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Bangor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Bangor. Many visitors come to Charlotte in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bangor for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In the autumn, Charlotte is much warmer than Bangor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charlotte in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Bangor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

In October, Charlotte usually receives less rain than Bangor. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Bangor 48°F (9°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Bangor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Bangor. Most visitors come to Charlotte for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Bangor because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bangor can be very cold. In January, Charlotte is generally much warmer than Bangor. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 42°F (6°C), and Bangor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Charlotte usually gets more rain in January than Bangor. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Charlotte 42°F (6°C) 
    Bangor 18°F (-8°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Bangor in the Spring?

Both Bangor and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the activities around the city. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Bangor this time of year.

Charlotte is much warmer than Bangor in the spring. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Bangor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

In April, Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bangor. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Bangor 43°F (6°C)

Typical Weather for Bangor and Charlotte

Charlotte Bangor
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 42°F (6°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 18°F (-8°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Feb 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 20°F (-6°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 31°F (-1°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Apr 63°F (17°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
May 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 69°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 67°F (20°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 59°F (15°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Nov 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm) 37°F (3°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Dec 46°F (8°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 24°F (-5°C) 4 inches (100 mm)