A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Duck vs. Hilton Head Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Duck or Hilton Head Island?

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

Should I visit Duck or Hilton Head Island? 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: Duck or Hilton Head Island?

Duck

Duck is a resort town in Dare County, North Carolina. The town is quite small, with a year around population of just 369, but during the peak summer months the tourist crowds can climb to over 20,000. Duck is also the northernmost incorporated town in the county, and also the newest town in the Outer Banks, having been incorporated on May 1st, 2002.

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 place is cheaper, Hilton Head Island or Duck?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Duck is $188, while the average daily cost in Hilton Head Island is $243. 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 and Hilton Head Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Duck $107
    Hilton Head Island $129
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Duck $214
    Hilton Head Island $258
Compare Hotels in Duck and Hilton Head Island

Looking for a hotel in Duck or Hilton Head Island? 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


Hotels in Hilton Head Island


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: Hilton Head Island Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Duck $66
    Hilton Head Island $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Duck or Hilton Head Island?

Prices for flights to both Hilton Head Island and Duck 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 $45
    Hilton Head Island $60

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:

  • Dolphin Watching 3-Course Dinner Cruise: $70
  • Sunset Hibachi Dinner Cruise : $102
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise: $105
  • Hilton Head Sunset Dinner Cruise: $106

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Duck $13
    Hilton Head Island $23

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:

  • Ticket/Civil War Era on Hilton Head Island Talk: $12
  • Hilton Head Honey Horn Admission with Guided Tour: $12
  • Kazoo Factory Tour & Museum : $15
  • Virtual Reality Arcade Experience: $20
  • Beaufort Ghost Walking Tours : $21
  • 90 Minute Tour to See Dolphins in Hilton Head Island: $28
  • Historic Tour of Tybee Island: $30
  • Walking Tour in Beaufort: $30
  • 90 minute daytime Dolphin & Nature Tour: $32
  • History and Movie Tour of Beaufort by Golf Cart: $32
  • #1 Historical Horse Drawn Carriage Tour: $35
  • Beaufort City Minibus Tour: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Duck $45
    Hilton Head Island $26


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck and Hilton Head Island, we can see that Hilton Head Island is more expensive. And not only is Duck much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Duck would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Duck 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 Duck.

Which is Bigger, Duck or Hilton Head Island?

Hilton Head Island is bigger, and its population is about 61.3 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the population of Duck vs. Hilton Head Island, 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Duck or Hilton Head Island?

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 or Hilton Head Island in the Summer?

Both Hilton Head Island and Duck during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Duck is generally around the same temperature as Hilton Head Island. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 78°F (26°C), and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In Hilton Head Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Duck. In the summer, Duck often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island. Duck gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 267 hours of full sun.

Hilton Head Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Duck. Duck usually gets less rain in July than Hilton Head Island. Duck gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Duck 78°F (26°C) 
    Hilton Head Island 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Duck or Hilton Head Island in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and Hilton Head Island. Also, many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Duck is cooler than Hilton Head Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hilton Head Island this time of the year. In Duck, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island during autumn. Duck gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 223 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Duck usually receives more rain than Hilton Head Island. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Duck 62°F (16°C) 
    Hilton Head Island 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Duck or Hilton Head Island in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Duck as well as Hilton Head Island. Also, most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Duck can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Duck is much colder than Hilton Head Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Duck in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Hilton Head Island averages at about 48°F (9°C).

In the winter, Duck often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island. Duck gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 176 hours of full sun.

Duck receives a lot of rain in the winter. Duck usually gets more rain in January than Hilton Head Island. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Duck 41°F (5°C) 
    Hilton Head Island 48°F (9°C)

Should I visit Duck or Hilton Head Island in the Spring?

Both Hilton Head Island and Duck are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Duck is generally cooler than Hilton Head Island. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 59°F (15°C), and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Hilton Head Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck. Duck usually receives less sunshine than Hilton Head Island during spring. Duck gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Duck usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hilton Head Island. Duck gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Duck 59°F (15°C) 
    Hilton Head Island 67°F (19°C)

Typical Weather for Hilton Head Island and Duck

Duck Hilton Head Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 48°F (9°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Feb 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 52°F (11°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 58°F (15°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
Apr 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 67°F (19°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
May 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 73°F (23°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 80°F (26°C) 5.9 inches (150 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 82°F (28°C) 7.9 inches (200 mm)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm) 81°F (27°C) 6.5 inches (164 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 77°F (25°C) 5.6 inches (141 mm)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 59°F (15°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)


Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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Duck vs. Hilton Head Island Travel Comparison

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