A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Charlotte vs. Durham for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Charlotte or Durham?

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 Durham can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Charlotte or Durham?

Charlotte

With a population of almost 800,000, Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina. The city has grown rapidly in recent years and the thriving economy has led to major revitalization efforts in the city's central district. The city is a center for finance, industry, technology, and entertainment within the state. It is the location of the corporate headquarters of Bank of America as well as the east coast operations of Wells Fargo, making it the second largest banking center in the United States. Although Charlotte has never been considered a significant tourist destination, recent efforts to enhance the urban core and develop entertainment venues have begun to appeal to outside visitors.

Durham

Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.

Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.

Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.

Which city is cheaper, Durham or Charlotte?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Charlotte is $153, while the average daily cost in Durham is $130. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Charlotte and Durham in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Charlotte $94
    Durham $73
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Charlotte $188
    Durham $146
Compare Hotels in Charlotte and Durham

Looking for a hotel in Charlotte or Durham? 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 Durham


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 Durham Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Charlotte $27
    Durham $26

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): $38
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT: $38
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Arrival Private Transfer: $54
  • Charlotte City to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
  • Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT Sedan Car: $85
  • Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by Sedan car: $86
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
  • Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT by SUV: $140
  • Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by SUV: $141

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durham

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Durham:

  • Private Transfer from Durham to Manchester Airport (MAN): $407
  • Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $139

Is it cheaper to fly into Charlotte or Durham?

Prices for flights to both Durham 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 $37
    Durham $35
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 $34
    Durham $21

Tours and Activities in Charlotte

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlotte.

  • Charlotte Beyond the Grave Haunted History Walking Ghost Tour: $18
  • Queen City Ghost Tour: $22
  • Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour: $23
  • Charlotte Comedy City Tour: $30
  • Charlotte Comedy City PG-13 Tour: $35
  • Charlotte's Historical City Tour: $38
  • 90-Minute Electric Cart City Sightseeing Tour: $40
  • Belize Jungle Limo - Triple Activity Tour: $50
  • Historic Uptown 90-Minute Segway Tour: $60
  • Historic Uptown Neighborhood Segway Tour of Charlotte: $60
  • Private and Custom Tours: $75
  • Discover Charlotte Historic City: Segway Tour: $234

Tours and Activities in Durham

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

  • Trolley Pub Public Tour of Durham: $41

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Charlotte $16
    Durham $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Charlotte

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

  • Haunted Charlotte Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $27
  • Trolley Pub Tour of Charlotte: $41
  • 3-Hour Charlotte Brewery Crawl Tour: $54

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Charlotte or Durham?

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 Durham in the Summer?

Both Durham and Charlotte during the summer are popular places to visit.

Charlotte is around the same temperature as Durham in the summer. The temperature in Charlotte is usually 81°F (27°C) in July, and Durham stays around 79°F (26°C).

In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlotte. In the summer, Charlotte often gets more sunshine than Durham. Charlotte gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun.

Durham gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. Charlotte usually gets less rain in July than Durham. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Charlotte 81°F (27°C) 
    Durham 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Durham in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Durham.

In the autumn, Charlotte is around the same temperature as Durham. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charlotte in October are around 63°F (17°C), and Durham is about 61°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In Charlotte, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Durham during autumn. Charlotte gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of rain as Durham. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Durham 61°F (16°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Durham in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Durham.

Durham can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Charlotte is generally a little warmer than Durham. Temperatures in Charlotte average around 42°F (6°C), and Durham stays around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Charlotte often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Durham. Charlotte gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets more rain in January than Durham. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Charlotte 42°F (6°C) 
    Durham 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Durham in the Spring?

Both Durham and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Charlotte is around the same temperature as Durham in the spring. The temperature in Charlotte is usually 63°F (17°C) in April, and Durham stays around 60°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Durham. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. Charlotte usually receives more sunshine than Durham during spring. Charlotte gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Durham. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Durham 60°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Durham and Charlotte

Charlotte Durham
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 42°F (6°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Apr 63°F (17°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Nov 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm) 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Dec 46°F (8°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)


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Charlotte vs. Durham Travel Comparison

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