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

Should you visit Duck Key or New Bern?

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 New Bern can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Duck Key or New Bern?

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.

New Bern

New Bern is a town in the coastal region of North Carolina. The town, which has a population of about 30,000, is the county seat of Craven County. It sits at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers close to the North Carolina coast, although there is no coastline in town. The town makes a nice daytrip from Raleigh, which is 112 miles away, and Wilmington, which is 87 miles away. It's also 162 miles from Norfolk, Virginia.

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.


Which place is cheaper, New Bern or Duck Key?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Duck Key is $143, while the average daily cost in New Bern is $140. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Duck Key and New Bern in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Duck Key $56
    New Bern $76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Duck Key $112
    New Bern $152
Compare Hotels in Duck Key and New Bern

Looking for a hotel in Duck Key or New Bern? 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 Duck Key


Hotels in New Bern


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: New Bern Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Duck Key $69
    New Bern $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Duck Key or New Bern?

Prices for flights to both New Bern and Duck Key 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
    Duck Key $45
    New Bern $41

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Duck Key $30
    New Bern $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Duck Key $7.99
    New Bern $30


When comparing the travel costs between Duck Key and New Bern, we can see that Duck Key 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.

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 New Bern Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Duck Key or New Bern?

New Bern has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Duck Key and New Bern, 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 New Bern?

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 Duck Key or New Bern in the Summer?

Both New Bern and Duck Key during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Duck Key is generally around the same temperature as New Bern. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 84°F (29°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Duck Key usually gets less rain in July than New Bern. Duck Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Duck Key 84°F (29°C) 
    New Bern 80°F (27°C)

Should I visit Duck Key or New Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck Key and New Bern. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to New Bern this time of year.

Duck Key is a little warmer than New Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

Duck Key gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Duck Key usually receives more rain than New Bern. Duck Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Duck Key 80°F (27°C) 
    New Bern 65°F (18°C)

Should I visit Duck Key or New Bern in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Duck Key as well as New Bern. Additionally, many travelers come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Duck Key is much warmer than New Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Duck Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and New Bern averages at about 44°F (7°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. Duck Key usually gets less rain in January than New Bern. Duck Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Duck Key 70°F (21°C) 
    New Bern 44°F (7°C)

Should I visit Duck Key or New Bern in the Spring?

Both New Bern and Duck Key are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to New Bern in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Duck Key is generally much warmer than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 77°F (25°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In April, Duck Key usually receives less rain than New Bern. Duck Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Duck Key 77°F (25°C) 
    New Bern 62°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for New Bern and Duck Key

Duck Key New Bern
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 44°F (7°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Feb 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Mar 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm) 62°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
May 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 69°F (21°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Jun 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 76°F (25°C) 5 inches (126 mm)
Jul 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 80°F (27°C) 6.6 inches (169 mm)
Aug 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 79°F (26°C) 7.6 inches (192 mm)
Sep 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm) 75°F (24°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Oct 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 65°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Nov 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 56°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)