Should you visit Charlotte or Galveston?
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 Galveston can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Galveston
Located on Galveston Island off the Texas Gulf Coast, Galveston is a popular destination for Texans and a departure point for cruise ships. It also makes a great beach destination for anyone looking to enjoy a week or weekend.
Galveston is a popular destination during the summer months, but the warm climate makes it comfortable year round. Even during the winter months you can enjoy mild temperatures, although on occasion it can have a cold spell.
Which city is cheaper, Galveston 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 Galveston is $147. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Charlotte and Galveston in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $188 in Charlotte For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $128 in Galveston For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
Food in Charlotte costs travelers about $37 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
On average, meal and food prices in Galveston cost around $42 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $17.
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Food
Meals for one day
Charlotte $37
Galveston $42
Typical Food prices in Charlotte
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Charlotte:
Local Transportation
Charlotte's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $27 per person, per day on transportation in Charlotte.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Galveston than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $28 on transportation in Galveston on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlotte
Also for Charlotte, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by SUV:
$141
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Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT by SUV:
$140
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Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$106
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Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by Sedan car:
$86
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Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT Sedan Car:
$85
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Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$54
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Charlotte City to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) - Departure Private Transfer:
$54
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Private Departure Transfer to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT):
$38
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Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT:
$38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galveston
Also for Galveston, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Galveston Port to Houston Airport Transfer:
$432
Is it cheaper to fly into Charlotte or Galveston?
Prices for flights to both Galveston 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Charlotte can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $34 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing expenses in Galveston, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $12 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Charlotte
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlotte.
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Belize Jungle Limo - Triple Activity Tour:
$50
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Charlotte Beyond the Grave Haunted History Walking Ghost Tour:
$18
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Charlotte Comedy City PG-13 Tour:
$35
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Charlotte Comedy City Tour:
$30
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Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour:
$23
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Charlotte's Historical City Tour:
$38
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Discover Charlotte Historic City: Segway Tour:
$234
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Historic Uptown Neighborhood Segway Tour of Charlotte:
$60
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Private and Custom Tours:
$75
Tours and Activities in Galveston
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galveston.
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Al's Galveston Ghost Tour:
$9.99
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Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Galveston with a Guide:
$15
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E-bike Island Adventure Tour:
$75
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From Houston: 6-Hour Galveston Island Tour:
$99
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Galveston Ghost Tour:
$10
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Galveston Ghosts Walking Tour:
$8.00
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Galveston Island Ghost Tour:
$13
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Galveston Island Red Light District Tour:
$26
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Galveston Red Light District Tour:
$22
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Galveston's Haunted Cemetery Walking Tour:
$20
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Ghost Bus Tour in Galveston:
$26
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Ghost On the Strand Ghost Tour:
$10
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Charlotte, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $16.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Galveston, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $30.
Sample the Local Flavors in Charlotte
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charlotte:
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Haunted Charlotte Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
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Trolley Pub Tour of Charlotte:
$41
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3-Hour Charlotte Brewery Crawl Tour:
$54
When comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Galveston, we can see that Charlotte 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.
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