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

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Should you visit Charlotte or Richmond?

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

Where Should I go: Charlotte or Richmond?

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.

Richmond

One of the oldest American cities, Richmond was established in 1607 by English settlers led by Captain Christopher Newport and Captain John Smith. During the Civil War it existed as the capital of the Confederacy, and today it remains the capital of the U.S. state of Virginia. There are many historic sights to see and museums to explore, as well as plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Which place is cheaper, Richmond 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 Richmond is $161. 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 Richmond in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Charlotte $118
    Richmond $101
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Charlotte $236
    Richmond $202
Compare Hotels in Charlotte and Richmond

Looking for a hotel in Charlotte or Richmond? 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 Richmond


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 Richmond Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Charlotte $33
    Richmond $72

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
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT: $54
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT): 1-Way Transfer to Charlotte: $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Charlotte or Richmond?

Prices for flights to both Richmond 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
    Richmond $21
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 Richmond

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Richmond.

  • The Carytown Food Tour in Richmond: $80
  • Church Hill Food Tour in Richmond, VA: $80
  • Church Hill Food Tour: $80
  • Trendy Carytown Food Tour: $80
  • Arts District Food Tour in Richmond: $85
  • Arts District Walking Food Tour: $85

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Charlotte $43
    Richmond $13

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
  • Self-Guided City Highlights Audio Tour: $12
  • Uptown A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City: $12
  • 1.5-Hour Haunted Walking Tour: $16
  • Charlotte Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Carolina History and Haunts Charlotte Historical Ghost Walking Tour : $25
  • Sea Life Charlotte Concord Aquarium Admission Ticket: $25
  • Queen City Ghosts Charlotte Most Haunted Tour : $30
  • Queen City Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour: $32
  • Charlottesville: Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour: $32
  • Charlotte Haunted Booze and Boos Tour: $35

Tours and Activities in Richmond

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

  • Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond: $44
  • Church Hill Chillers Ghost Tour: $25
  • Discover Downtown Richmond Bike Tour: $125
  • Electric Bike Tour to Upper Shirley Vineyards: $155
  • Guided Walking Tour of Richmond: $38
  • Hollywood Cemetery Electric Car Tour in Richmond: $50
  • Hollywood Cemetery Tour Richmond Lore and Civil War: $24
  • RVA Ghosts Shockoe Bottom Sinister Scares by US Ghost Adventures : $30
  • RVATukTuk Sightseeing Tour of Richmond: $186
  • Richmond Downtown Walking Tour: $38
  • Richmond Ghosts: Sinister Scares of Shockoe Bottom Tour: $32
  • Richmond Landmark Segway Tour: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Charlotte $20
    Richmond -

Sample the Local Flavors in Charlotte

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

  • Original Charlotte Brewery Tour - Craft Beer Experience : $125

Sample the Local Flavors in Richmond

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

  • Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Brewery Tour of Richmond, VA: $90

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charlotte and Richmond, we can see that Charlotte is more expensive. And not only is Richmond much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Richmond would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Richmond 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 Richmond.

Which is Bigger, Charlotte or Richmond?

Charlotte is bigger, and its population is about 3.1 times larger than the population of Richmond. When comparing the population of Charlotte vs. Richmond, 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Charlotte or Richmond?

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 Richmond in the Summer?

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

Charlotte is around the same temperature as Richmond in the summer. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Richmond fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

In Richmond, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlotte. In the summer, Charlotte often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond. Charlotte gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 305 hours of full sun.

Richmond 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 Richmond. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Charlotte 81°F (27°C) 
    Richmond 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Richmond in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Charlotte is a little warmer than Richmond. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charlotte in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Richmond averages at about 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Richmond 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 Richmond during autumn. Charlotte gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charlotte usually receives less rain than Richmond. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Richmond 59°F (15°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Richmond in the Winter?

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

Richmond can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Charlotte is generally much warmer than Richmond. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 42°F (6°C), and Richmond fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

In the winter, Charlotte often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond. Charlotte gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 169 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets more rain in January than Richmond. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Charlotte 42°F (6°C) 
    Richmond 36°F (2°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Richmond in the Spring?

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

Charlotte is a little warmer than Richmond in the spring. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Richmond fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Richmond. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond during spring. Charlotte gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Richmond. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Richmond 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Richmond and Charlotte

Charlotte Richmond
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 42°F (6°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 36°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (83 mm)
Feb 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (80 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 49°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Apr 63°F (17°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 58°F (14°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
May 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 67°F (19°C) 3.8 inches (98 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 78°F (26°C) 5 inches (128 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 77°F (25°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 71°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 59°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Nov 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
Dec 46°F (8°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 41°F (5°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)


Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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Charlotte vs. Richmond Travel Comparison

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