Should you visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Hilton Head Island?
Should I visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Hilton Head Island? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Cumberland Island National Seashore
The Cumberland Island National Seashore, located on the southern coastline of Georgia, preserves an island of beaches and dunes, marshes, and freshwater lakes. It is also home to many historic sites and structures, preserved and interpreted for visitors to explore.
Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head, also called Hilton Head Island, is primarily a resort and beach town off the coast of South Carolina. Located on a barrier island, the place is best known for its beaches and golf courses overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Which city is cheaper, Hilton Head Island or Cumberland Island National Seashore?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cumberland Island National Seashore is $118, while the average daily cost in Hilton Head Island is $195. 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 Cumberland Island National Seashore and Hilton Head Island in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $120 in Cumberland Island National Seashore For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $206 in Hilton Head Island For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Cumberland Island National Seashore $60
Hilton Head Island $103
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Cumberland Island National Seashore
$120
Hilton Head Island
$206
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Cumberland Island National Seashore cost around $30 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $12.
Food in Hilton Head Island costs travelers about $48 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.
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hilton Head Island
For Hilton Head Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Hilton Head Coligny Beach Walking Food Tour:
$60
Local Transportation
To get around in Cumberland Island National Seashore, the average visitor spends $47 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hilton Head Island'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 $27 per person, per day on transportation in Hilton Head Island.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Cumberland Island National Seashore $47
Hilton Head Island $27
Entertainment
In Cumberland Island National Seashore, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $19 per person, per day.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Hilton Head Island can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $19 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Cumberland Island National Seashore $19
Hilton Head Island $19
Tours and Activities in Hilton Head Island
For Hilton Head Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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2-Hour Guided Kayak Nature Tour of Hilton Head:
$40
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3-Hour Private Customized Small-Group Fishing, Dolphin Watching, or Nature Tours:
$497
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Avocado Electric Beach Cruiser Rental at Hilton Head Island:
$50
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Creek Cat Tour:
$119
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Daufuskie Island: Ferry Ticket and Optional Golf Cart Rental:
$45
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Disappearing Island Dolphin Tour:
$48
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Dolphins & Donuts Cruise:
$59
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Guided Kayak Eco Tour:
$40
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Guided Mini Boat Dolphin Tour:
$250
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Guided Stand Up Paddleboard Tour:
$40
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Hidden Hilton Head Private Tours:
$185
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Hilton Head Fireworks Boat Cruise:
$50
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 Cumberland Island National Seashore, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $20.
Typically, people visiting Hilton Head Island spend on average $21 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cumberland Island National Seashore and Hilton Head Island, we can see that Hilton Head Island is more expensive. And not only is Cumberland Island National Seashore much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cumberland Island National Seashore would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cumberland Island National Seashore 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 Hilton Head Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilton Head Island than you might in Cumberland Island National Seashore.
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