Should you visit Charlottesville or Roanoke?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Charlottesville and Roanoke. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
Charlottesville
Located in central Virginia, Charlottesville is a little university town steeped in history and culture. Home to Thomas Jefferson, much of the town's architecture is heavily influenced by his hand, while the people scene is full of activities, dining, and entertainment. Many visitors are drawn to the area for the University of Virginia, the Historic Downtown Mall, plus many quaint vineyards and farms in the surrounding countryside.
Roanoke
Roanoke is a charming city located in the western region of the U.S. state of Virginia. Sometimes called the "Star City of the South" or the "Magic City," Roanoke lies in the scenic Roanoke Valley with Mill Mountain as a local icon, topped with a lighted 100-foot star. The city itself is home to many museums and opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Which city is cheaper, Roanoke or Charlottesville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Charlottesville is $123, while the average daily cost in Roanoke is $131. 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 Charlottesville and Roanoke in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Charlottesville, $128 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Charlottesville, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $64, such as in a hostel.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $154 in Roanoke For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
Food in Charlottesville costs travelers about $34 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.
The price of a meal in Roanoke can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $38 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $15 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Charlottesville $34
Roanoke $38
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Charlottesville than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $42 on transportation in Charlottesville on average per day.
Roanoke'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 $18 per person, per day on transportation in Roanoke.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlottesville
Also for Charlottesville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO):
$50
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Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO):
$50
Is it cheaper to fly into Charlottesville or Roanoke?
Prices for flights to both Roanoke and Charlottesville 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 expenses in Charlottesville, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $14 per day, per person.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Roanoke can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $28 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Charlottesville
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlottesville.
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Immersive Art Experience at The Looking Glass Ticket:
$15
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Private Virginia BBQ Experience Tour:
$107
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Private Virginia Craft Beer Tour:
$180
Tours and Activities in Roanoke
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Roanoke.
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Roanoke Downtown Food and Cultural Tour:
$63
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Roanoke Sunday Brunch Food & Cultural Tour:
$63
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 Charlottesville, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $42.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Roanoke, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $24.
Sample the Local Flavors in Charlottesville
Also in Charlottesville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Private Wine Tours:
$75
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Weekday Virginia Private Custom Wine Tour from Charlottesville:
$217
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Virginia Private Custom Wine Tour from Charlottesville:
$379
When comparing the travel costs between Charlottesville and Roanoke, we can see that Roanoke 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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