A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Duck Key vs. Gatlinburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Duck Key or Gatlinburg?

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 Duck Key and Gatlinburg can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Duck Key or Gatlinburg?

Duck Key

If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck Key and Gatlinburg, we can see that Gatlinburg is more expensive. And not only is Duck Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Duck Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Duck Key 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 Gatlinburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gatlinburg than you might in Duck Key.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Duck Key Expensive? and Is Gatlinburg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Duck Key or Gatlinburg?

Gatlinburg has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Duck Key and Gatlinburg, 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Duck Key or Gatlinburg?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Duck Key or Gatlinburg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck Key and Gatlinburg. Furthermore, the hiking are the main draw to Gatlinburg this time of year.

In July, Duck Key is generally around the same temperature as Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gatlinburg this time of the year. In Duck Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck Key usually receives more sunshine than Gatlinburg during summer. Duck Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 294 hours of full sun in the summer.

Gatlinburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Duck Key usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. Duck Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Duck Key or Gatlinburg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Duck Key as well as Gatlinburg. Additionally, many travelers come to Gatlinburg for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Duck Key is much warmer than Gatlinburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In the autumn, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than Gatlinburg. Duck Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 213 hours of full sun.

Duck Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Duck Key usually gets more rain in October than Gatlinburg. Duck Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Duck Key or Gatlinburg in the Winter?

Both Gatlinburg and Duck Key are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Gatlinburg in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Gatlinburg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Duck Key is much warmer than Gatlinburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Duck Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Gatlinburg averages at about 40°F (5°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. Duck Key usually receives more sunshine than Gatlinburg during winter. Duck Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. In January, Duck Key usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. Duck Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Duck Key or Gatlinburg in the Spring?

Both Gatlinburg and Duck Key during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Duck Key is generally a little warmer than Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In Gatlinburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Duck Key. In the spring, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than Gatlinburg. Duck Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 263 hours of full sun.

Duck Key usually gets less rain in April than Gatlinburg. Duck Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Gatlinburg and Duck Key