A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Charlotte vs. Winston-Salem for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Charlotte or Winston-Salem?

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 Winston-Salem can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Charlotte or Winston-Salem?

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.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a moderately sized city in Forsyth Country, North Carolina. The city has a population of about 360,000 and is located in the central part of the state in the Piedmont Triad. Winston-Salem goes by several nicknames including the "Twin City", the "City of Arts and Innovation" and "Camel City", a reference to the city's history in the tobacco industry. Like several towns in central North Carolina, the city's economy was also once influenced by the furniture industry, although this sector continues to shrink.

Which place is cheaper, Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem is $150. 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 Winston-Salem in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Charlotte $118
    Winston-Salem $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Charlotte $236
    Winston-Salem $182
Compare Hotels in Charlotte and Winston-Salem

Looking for a hotel in Charlotte or Winston-Salem? 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 Winston-Salem


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 Winston-Salem Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Charlotte $33
    Winston-Salem $23

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 Winston-Salem?

Prices for flights to both Winston-Salem 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
    Winston-Salem $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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Charlotte $43
    Winston-Salem $20

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
  • UPTOWN FUNK: 1 Hour Guided Historical Walking Tour in Charlotte: $15
  • Carolina Panthers Football Game Ticket at Bank of America Stadium: $18
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Charlotte by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • 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
  • Charlottesville: Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour: $26
  • Queen City Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour: $26

Tours and Activities in Winston-Salem

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Winston-Salem are as follows:

  • Carolina History & Haunts Winston-Salem Historical Ghost Tour: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Charlotte $20
    Winston-Salem $24

Sample the Local Flavors in Charlotte

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

  • Trolley Pub Tour of Charlotte: $42
  • Charlotte Brewery Crawl Tour: $48
  • Original Charlotte Brewery Tour - Craft Beer Experience : $125

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Charlotte or Winston-Salem?

Charlotte is bigger, and its population is about 3.1 times larger than the population of Winston-Salem. When comparing the population of Charlotte vs. Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem?

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 Winston-Salem in the Summer?

Both Winston-Salem and Charlotte during the summer are popular places to visit.

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

In Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem. Charlotte gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 273 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. Charlotte usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Winston-Salem. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Charlotte 81°F (27°C) 
    Winston-Salem 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Winston-Salem in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Winston-Salem.

In the autumn, Charlotte is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charlotte in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Winston-Salem averages at about 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem during autumn. Charlotte gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charlotte usually receives less rain than Winston-Salem. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Winston-Salem 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Winston-Salem in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Winston-Salem.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Winston-Salem. In January, Charlotte is generally a little warmer than Winston-Salem. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 42°F (6°C), and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

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

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


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Charlotte 42°F (6°C) 
    Winston-Salem 40°F (4°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Winston-Salem in the Spring?

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

Charlotte is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem in the spring. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Winston-Salem fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. Charlotte usually receives more sunshine than Winston-Salem during spring. Charlotte gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of rain as Winston-Salem. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Winston-Salem 61°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Winston-Salem and Charlotte

Charlotte Winston-Salem
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 42°F (6°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Apr 63°F (17°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
May 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Dec 46°F (8°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 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. Winston-Salem Travel Comparison

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