A Travel Price Comparison for Tennessee Chattanooga vs. Gatlinburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

North America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Chattanooga or Gatlinburg?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Chattanooga or Gatlinburg? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Chattanooga

Located on the Tennessee River near the border of the U.S. state of Georgia, Chattanooga is Tennessee's fourth largest city and a major transportation hub. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its once dilapidated downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront, including the restoration of the historic Walnut Street Bridge.

Gatlinburg

Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national park.

Which city is cheaper, Gatlinburg or Chattanooga?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Chattanooga is $145, while the average daily cost in Gatlinburg is $152. 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 Chattanooga and Gatlinburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chattanooga $73
    Gatlinburg $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chattanooga $146
    Gatlinburg $128

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chattanooga $28
    Gatlinburg $28
Typical Local Transportation prices in Chattanooga

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chattanooga:


  • Chattanooga Zoo (for 2)
    $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Chattanooga or Gatlinburg?

Prices for flights to both Gatlinburg and Chattanooga 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
    Chattanooga $47
    Gatlinburg $68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chattanooga

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

  • Small-Group Electric Bike Food Tour in Chattanooga: $50
  • 2-Hour Small Group Southern Cuisine Food Tour in Chattanooga: $65
  • 2-Hour Chattanooga Walking Food Tour: $69

Typical Food prices in Gatlinburg

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Gatlinburg:


  • Chinese Food Dinner (for 2)
    $21

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chattanooga $42
    Gatlinburg $19

Tours and Activities in Chattanooga

Here are a few actual costs in Chattanooga for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Chattanooga "Awakening" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $29
  • Chattanooga "C-Block Prison Break" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $36
  • Chattanooga "Locker Room Lockdown: Mascot Rescue" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $32
  • Chattanooga "Secret Agent" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $32
  • Chattanooga "Speakeasy" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $32
  • Chattanooga "The Hunted" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $32
  • Chattanooga "The Inheritance Mystery Room" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $36
  • Chattanooga "Vaccine: Search For The Zombie Cure" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $36
  • Chattanooga Guided Electric Bike City Tour: $80
  • Chattanooga Guided Party Bike Tour: $26
  • Chattanooga Guided Walking Tour: $23
  • Chattanooga Stand-Up Paddleboarding & Kayak Tour: $75

Typical Entertainment prices in Gatlinburg

For Gatlinburg, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Horseback Riding Photos
    $22
  • Horseback Riding (for 2)
    $55

Tours and Activities in Gatlinburg

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

  • Gatlinburg Ghost Tour: $22
  • Ghost and Haunt Tour of Gatlinburg: $26
  • Impossibilities Magic Show at the Iris Theater Ticket: $26
  • Great Smoky Mountains Waterfall Adventure Hiking Tour: $75
  • Pigeon Forge: Helicopter Tour of Gatllinburg: $158
  • Can-AM Maverick 1000 Adventure Vehicle Rental: $217
  • Polaris 570 Ranger Adventure Vehicle Rental: $217

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chattanooga $19
    Gatlinburg $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Chattanooga

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

  • Chattanooga Brewery Walking Tour with Beer Tastings: $41
  • Half-Day Private Wine Tour in Chattanooga: $159

Sample the Local Flavors in Gatlinburg

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Gatlinburg:

  • Gatlinburg's Best Moonshine Distillery Tour and Tastings: $44

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Chattanooga and Gatlinburg, we can see that Gatlinburg 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.

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Blue Ridge vs. Chattanooga
Blue Ridge vs. Gatlinburg
Asheville vs. Chattanooga
Asheville vs. Gatlinburg
Boone vs. Chattanooga
Boone vs. Gatlinburg
Chattanooga vs. Charlottesville
Chattanooga vs. Roanoke
Chattanooga vs. Shenandoah National Park
Gatlinburg vs. Charlottesville
Gatlinburg vs. Roanoke
Gatlinburg vs. Shenandoah National Park
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Chattanooga vs. Gatlinburg Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.