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

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Should you visit Charlotte or Lancaster?

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

Where Should I go: Charlotte or Lancaster?

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.

Lancaster

The largest city in Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, Lancaster is surrounded by scenic landscape and a unique culture. The area is predominately agricultural in nature and you will find lush farms growing crops and produce most seasons. The Amish communities are spread throughout the area and although they remain relatively isolated, they are acknowledged by fellow community members and their customs are respected. The Amish community prides themselves on minimalist living. They do not use electricity and travel around in horse and buggy, a sight which you will grow accustomed to while you're in the area. They are excellent farmers and craftsmen and you can find shops that proudly sell Amish made goods. Their close are old fashion in nature. Women generally wear long dresses and bonnets while men wear black suits and hats. The Amish community has their own churches and their own schools. There are a handful of places where you can learn more about the Amish community in the area. The Amish Experience F/X Theater offers shows and the People's Place Quilt Museum shows some handicrafts. It is possible to take an Amish Country tour or visit the Mennonite Information Center for more information.

Which city is cheaper, Lancaster 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 Lancaster is $146. 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 Lancaster in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Charlotte or Lancaster? 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 Lancaster


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 Lancaster Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Charlotte $27
    Lancaster $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlotte

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

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lancaster

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

  • Private transfer: Lancaster to Lancaster Airport (LNS): $622
  • Private Transfer from Lancaster to Manchester Airport (MAN): $183

Is it cheaper to fly into Charlotte or Lancaster?

Prices for flights to both Lancaster 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
    Lancaster $42
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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lancaster

For Lancaster, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Private Walking Food Tour in Lancaster: $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Charlotte $34
    Lancaster $15

Tours and Activities in Charlotte

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

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

Tours and Activities in Lancaster

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

  • Authentic Tour & Meal with an Amish Family!: $65
  • Ghost Tour of Lancaster: $18
  • Lancaster City VIP Restaurant Tour: $75
  • Lancaster County: National Toy Train Museum Admission Ticket: $7.50
  • Lancaster County: Tour and Meal with an Amish Family: $75
  • Amish Experience Visit-in-Person Tour of 3 Farms: $60
  • Evening Ghost Tour by Candlelight: $18
  • Premium Amish Country Tour including Amish Farm and House: $32
  • Sweet & Savory Tour of Lancaster City!: $60
  • Truly Authentic Lancaster Experience!: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Charlotte $16
    Lancaster $9.14

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 comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Lancaster, 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.


When is the best time to visit Charlotte or Lancaster?

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 Charlotte or Lancaster in the Summer?

Both Lancaster and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

Charlotte is around the same temperature as Lancaster in the summer. The temperature in Charlotte is usually 81°F (27°C) in July, and Lancaster stays around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Lancaster. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during summer. Charlotte gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Charlotte. In July, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Lancaster. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Charlotte 81°F (27°C) 
    Lancaster 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Lancaster in the Autumn?

Both Lancaster and Charlotte during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In the autumn, Charlotte is a little warmer than Lancaster. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charlotte in October are around 63°F (17°C), and Lancaster is about 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlotte. In the autumn, Charlotte often gets more sunshine than Lancaster. Charlotte gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets less rain in October than Lancaster. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Lancaster 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Lancaster in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Lancaster.

Lancaster can be very cold during winter. In January, Charlotte is generally much warmer than Lancaster. Temperatures in Charlotte average around 42°F (6°C), and Lancaster stays around 30°F (-1°C).

Charlotte usually receives more sunshine than Lancaster during winter. Charlotte gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Lancaster. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Charlotte 42°F (6°C) 
    Lancaster 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Lancaster in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Lancaster.

Charlotte is a little warmer than Lancaster in the spring. The temperature in Charlotte is usually 63°F (17°C) in April, and Lancaster stays around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lancaster. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In the spring, Charlotte often gets more sunshine than Lancaster. Charlotte gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Lancaster. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Lancaster 53°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Lancaster and Charlotte

Charlotte Lancaster
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 42°F (6°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Feb 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 33°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 63°F (17°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
May 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Nov 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 46°F (8°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)


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Charlotte vs. Lancaster Travel Comparison

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