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

North America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Chattanooga or Nashville?

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

Should I visit Chattanooga or Nashville? 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.

Where Should I go: Chattanooga or Nashville?

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.

Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee, known as Music City USA and home to the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, is waiting for vacationers and tourists. Even though musical attractions may be Nashville's main showcases, there are still plenty of other places and activities to check out, like hiking along shorelines, visit urban parks filled with entertainment, fishing, zoos, museums, take in shows in a variety of venues and so much more. Nashville tourism is also a discount, coupon friendly town for independent travelers and families. There are also many free attractions to enable you to enjoy all that this part of God's country has to offer.

Which city is cheaper, Nashville 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 Nashville is $138. 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 Nashville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chattanooga $73
    Nashville $79
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chattanooga $146
    Nashville $158
Compare Hotels in Chattanooga and Nashville

Looking for a hotel in Chattanooga or Nashville? 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 Chattanooga


Hotels in Nashville


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: Chattanooga Hotel Prices and Nashville Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chattanooga $28
    Nashville $17
Typical Local Transportation prices in Chattanooga

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


  • Chattanooga Zoo (for 2)
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nashville

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

  • Nashville Airport (BNA) to Nashville accomodation - Arrival Private Transfer: $142
  • Nashville Airport (BNA) to Nashville accomodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $284
  • Nashville Car Service - One Way Private Transfer To/From Airport: $117
  • Nashville International Airport One Way Transfer: $53
  • Nashville accomodation to Nashville Airport (BNA) - Departure Private Transfer: $142
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Nashville Airport (BNA) to Downtown Nashville: $40
  • Private Departure Transfer from Downtown Nashville to Nashville Airport (BNA): $40
  • Private Nashville Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $112
  • Private Nashville Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $112
  • Private transfer: Nashville Airport (BNA) to Nashville: $622
  • Private transfer: Nashville to Nashville Airport (BNA): $622
  • Transfer from Nashville International Airport to Nashville: $118

Is it cheaper to fly into Chattanooga or Nashville?

Prices for flights to both Nashville 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
    Nashville $33

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nashville

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

  • Virtual Cooking Class of Southern Soul Food in Nashville: $46
  • Nashville Pub Crawl: Nashville's #1 All-Inclusive Cocktail & Food Tour: $70
  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Nashville/Franklin: $77
  • Walking Food Tour: Heaven Of Foods: $172
  • Private Half-Day History and Food Tour of Nashville: $441
  • Private Hands-on Cooking Party for up to 10 guests: $714

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chattanooga $42
    Nashville $22

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

Tours and Activities in Nashville

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

  • Belmont Mansion Admission Ticket in Nashville: $16
  • Nashville Zoo General Admission Ticket: $19
  • The Ghosts of Nashville Walking Tour: $20
  • Nashville's Hatch Show Print Guided Studio Tour with Souvenir Poster: $20
  • Nashville Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Madame Tussauds Nashville Admission Ticket: $21
  • Haunted Nashville All-Ages Ghost Walking Tour: $21
  • Night-Time Ghost & History Walking Tour of Downtown Nashville: $23
  • Fontanel Mansion Tour: $25
  • Belle Meade "Journey to Jubilee" Guided History Tour: $25
  • Ryman Auditorium "Mother Church of Country Music" Self-Guided Tour: $27
  • The Murder in Music City Walking Ghost Tour: $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chattanooga $19
    Nashville $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 Nashville

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nashville:

  • Nashville Bar Hunt: Nonstop Nashville Bar Crawl: $12
  • Nashville's Tenn South Distillery Guided Tour with Tastings: $16
  • Downtown Nashville Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $21
  • Nashville Seeking Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $24
  • Belle Meade Guided Mansion Tour with Complimentary Wine Tasting: $25
  • Haunted Nashville Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $27
  • Nashville's Honky Tonk Sightseeing Pub Crawl: $29
  • Nashville Brewery & Distillery Tour by Golf Cart: $54
  • 2-Hour Golf Cart Bar Crawl Tour: $58
  • The Ville All-Inclusive Pub Crawl: $69
  • Downtown Nashville Broadway Bar Crawl with Drinks & Bull Riding: $71
  • All-Inclusive Nashville "Hey Y'all" Distillery Crawl with Transportation: $75

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Chattanooga and Nashville, we can see that Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga or Nashville?

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 Chattanooga or Nashville in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chattanooga as well as Nashville. Also, most visitors come to Nashville for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Chattanooga is around the same temperature as Nashville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chattanooga in July are around 81°F (27°C), and Nashville is about 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nashville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chattanooga this time of the year. In the summer, Chattanooga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville. Chattanooga gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 276 hours of full sun.

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in July than Nashville. Chattanooga gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Chattanooga 81°F (27°C) 
    Nashville 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Chattanooga or Nashville in the Autumn?

Both Nashville and Chattanooga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nashville because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Chattanooga is generally around the same temperature as Nashville. Temperatures in Chattanooga average around 63°F (17°C), and Nashville stays around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Nashville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville during autumn. Chattanooga gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Nashville. Chattanooga gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Chattanooga 63°F (17°C) 
    Nashville 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Chattanooga or Nashville in the Winter?

Both Nashville and Chattanooga during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nashville this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nashville in the winter. The weather in Chattanooga can be very cold. Chattanooga is a little warmer than Nashville in the winter. The temperature in Chattanooga is usually 40°F (5°C) in January, and Nashville stays around 38°F (4°C).

In the winter, Chattanooga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville. Chattanooga gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in January than Nashville. Chattanooga gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Chattanooga 40°F (5°C) 
    Nashville 38°F (4°C)

Should I visit Chattanooga or Nashville in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chattanooga and Nashville. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nashville for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Chattanooga is around the same temperature as Nashville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chattanooga in April are around 62°F (17°C), and Nashville is about 62°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chattanooga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville during spring. Chattanooga gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun in the spring.

Nashville receives a lot of rain in the spring. Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Chattanooga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nashville. Chattanooga gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Chattanooga 62°F (17°C) 
    Nashville 62°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Nashville and Chattanooga

Chattanooga Nashville
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 38°F (4°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Feb 44°F (7°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Mar 53°F (12°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 52°F (11°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm)
Apr 62°F (17°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 62°F (16°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm)
May 70°F (21°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 70°F (21°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 78°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 5.2 inches (131 mm) 81°F (27°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 80°F (27°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 52°F (11°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 43°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm)


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
Washington vs. Chattanooga
Washington vs. Nashville
Clearwater vs. Chattanooga
Clearwater vs. Nashville
Fort Lauderdale vs. Chattanooga
Fort Lauderdale vs. Nashville
Gainesville vs. Chattanooga
Gainesville vs. Nashville
Jacksonville vs. Chattanooga
Jacksonville vs. Nashville
Miami vs. Chattanooga
Miami vs. Nashville
Orlando vs. Chattanooga
Orlando vs. Nashville
Saint Petersburg vs. Chattanooga
Saint Petersburg vs. Nashville
Tallahassee vs. Chattanooga
Tallahassee vs. Nashville
Tampa vs. Chattanooga
Tampa vs. Nashville
Atlanta vs. Chattanooga
Atlanta vs. Nashville
Savannah vs. Chattanooga
Savannah vs. Nashville
New Orleans vs. Chattanooga
New Orleans vs. Nashville
Baltimore vs. Chattanooga
Baltimore vs. Nashville
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Chattanooga vs. Nashville 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.