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

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Should you visit Charlotte or Philadelphia?

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

Where Should I go: Charlotte or Philadelphia?

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.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.

Which city is cheaper, Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia is $151. 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 Philadelphia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Charlotte $94
    Philadelphia $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Charlotte $188
    Philadelphia $190
Compare Hotels in Charlotte and Philadelphia

Looking for a hotel in Charlotte or Philadelphia? 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 Philadelphia


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 Philadelphia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Charlotte $27
    Philadelphia $22

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia

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

  • Private Transfer: Philadelphia to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): $622
  • Private Transfer: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia: $622
  • Philadelphia City to Washington City - Private Car Transfer: $392
  • Philadelphia City to Baltimore City - Private Car Transfer: $311
  • Philadelphia to New York J.F. Kennedy Airport(JFK) - Departure Private Transfer: $286
  • Philadelphia to New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - Departure Private Transfer: $280
  • Philadelphia City to New York City - Private Car Transfer: $267
  • Philadelphia to Newark International Airport (EWR) - Departure Private Transfer: $243
  • Arrival Private Transfer Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia by Minibus: $204
  • Departure Private Transfer Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport PHL by Minibus: $204
  • Private transfer from or to MDT , PHL airports , Philadelphia and Harrisburg, PA: $200
  • RoundTrip transfer in executive private minivan from-to Airpt-Philadelphia City: $191

Is it cheaper to fly into Charlotte or Philadelphia?

Prices for flights to both Philadelphia 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
    Philadelphia $39
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

Typical Food prices in Philadelphia

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


  • Casual Lunch (for 3)
    $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia

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

  • Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $44
  • Decadent Gourmet Food Tour: $44
  • Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $52
  • Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $54
  • South Philly Italian Family Dinner Tour: $75
  • Historic Food Tour: $78
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Philadelphia: $90
  • Spirit of Philadelphia Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $107
  • Secret Food Tours Philadelphia w/ Private Tour Option: $193

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Charlotte $34
    Philadelphia $22

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

Typical Entertainment prices in Philadelphia

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Big Bus Tour (family of 3)
    $99

Tours and Activities in Philadelphia

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

  • 1776 History and Cheesesteak Tour: $28
  • Art and Controversy: An audio tour of Philadelphia's most infamous art scandals: $5.00
  • Badass Women's History Tour of Philadelphia: $40
  • Beyond the [Liberty] Bell History Tour: $40
  • Brandywine Valley Tour with Private Driver: $581
  • Cemetery and Serial Killers Walking Tour of Philadelphia: $35
  • City Sightseeing Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $36
  • Colonial Era Philadelphia Waterfront Walking Tour: $215
  • Dark Philly Adult Night Tour: $25
  • Discovering Colonial Philadelphia to now Walking Tour: $250
  • Double Decker Bus Tour of Philadelphia: $37
  • Double Decker Night-Time Tour of Philadelphia: $34

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Charlotte $16
    Philadelphia $17

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia

Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Haunted Pub Crawl: $45
  • Philadelphia Prohibition Pub Crawl: $45
  • Charleston: Haunted Bar Crawl with Tarot Reading: $64
  • Sip of Philly Brewery Tour: $79

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Philadelphia. Also, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Charlotte is generally around the same temperature as Philadelphia. Temperatures in Charlotte average around 81°F (27°C), and Philadelphia stays around 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia during summer. Charlotte gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

Philadelphia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charlotte gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Charlotte or Philadelphia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Philadelphia. Also, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Charlotte is a little warmer than Philadelphia in the autumn. The temperature in Charlotte is usually 63°F (17°C) in October, and Philadelphia stays around 56°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In the autumn, Charlotte often gets more sunshine than Philadelphia. Charlotte gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets more rain in October than Philadelphia. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Philadelphia 56°F (14°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Philadelphia in the Winter?

Both Philadelphia and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Philadelphia can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Charlotte is much warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charlotte in January are around 42°F (6°C), and Philadelphia is about 30°F (-1°C).

Charlotte usually receives more sunshine than Philadelphia during winter. Charlotte gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


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

Should I visit Charlotte or Philadelphia in the Spring?

Both Philadelphia and Charlotte during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Charlotte is generally much warmer than Philadelphia. Temperatures in Charlotte average around 63°F (17°C), and Philadelphia stays around 52°F (11°C).

In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlotte. In the spring, Charlotte often gets more sunshine than Philadelphia. Charlotte gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets more rain in April than Philadelphia. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Philadelphia 52°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Charlotte

Charlotte Philadelphia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 42°F (6°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Feb 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 42°F (6°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 63°F (17°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 52°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
May 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 76°F (24°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 56°F (14°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)
Nov 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm) 46°F (8°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm)
Dec 46°F (8°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 36°F (2°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)


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Charlotte vs. Philadelphia Travel Comparison

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