A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Berkeley for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Durham or Berkeley?

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 Durham and Berkeley can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a diverse, student-filled, and sports oriented city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Berkeley

Berkeley is a diverse, quirky, and progressive city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Durham and Berkeley: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Berkeley?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Berkeley than Durham. While Durham is larger than Berkeley, Berkeley has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Berkeley is more touristy than Durham and is known for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques. It is also well known for University of California Botanical Garden. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Berkeley?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Berkeley and Durham. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durham or Berkeley?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Durham or Berkeley.

Many visitors head to Durham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Berkeley can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a wide range of museums around town, many of which are affiliated with the university. There are natural history museums, art museums, cultural museums, as well as historical and science museums.

Is the Food Better in Durham or Berkeley? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Berkeley is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Berkeley is an experience not to be missed. There's a huge diversity of restaurants that range from international to California flavors. There are also eateries that cater to the student population, as well as fine dining and everything in between. You'll also find many farmer's markets, vegan options, and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Durham. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Is Durham or Berkeley Better for Nightlife?

Berkeley is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Berkeley offers plenty to do in the evening. With its large student population, you'll find no shortage of nightlife activities around town. There are bars and pubs as well as live music venues and plenty of unique experiences.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Berkeley?

Berkeley is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Berkeley. Quirky and local is what shopping in Berkeley is all about. There are also plenty of thrift stores and farmer's markets. Head to Fourth Street or Telegraph Avenue for some of the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Durham. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Is Durham or Berkeley Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Durham or Berkeley.

Durham is a family-friendly place to visit. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Berkeley is a family-friendly city. There are many outdoor places to explore with kids like Tilden Park or UC Botanical Garden. There are also science museums, nature centers, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Durham or Berkeley Better for Couples?

Both Durham and Berkeley are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Durham is a good city for couples to visit. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Berkeley is a nice destination for couples. There's a wonderful mix of cultural activities and outdoor parks that you can explore. There's the Berkeley Rose Garden, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and many charming restaurants.

Is Durham or Berkeley Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Berkeley is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Berkeley is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. With its eclectic and alternative vibe, backpackers will find their place in this city. There's also a huge student population and a couple of hostels in the area.

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

Is Durham or Berkeley Better for Students?

Durham and Berkeley are both excellent destinations for students and younger travelers.

Durham is very popular with students. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Berkeley is a great city to visit as a student. University of California, Berkeley is a well reviewed university that attracts a progressive and motivated student population. The city is an expensive, but very rewarding place to study with many activities and opportunities for students.

Is Durham or Berkeley Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Berkeley is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. However, Durham is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Berkeley is top-notch. It's located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has access to buses and several BART stations.

Public transit is mostly limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Is Durham or Berkeley a more walkable city?

Berkeley is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Berkeley on foot. Most of Berkeley is very walkable, particularly the parts around the university.

Durham is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Durham Worth Visiting? and Is Berkeley Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Berkeley or Durham?

How long in Durham or Berkeley?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Durham and Berkeley. In our opinion, Berkeley has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Berkeley than Durham. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Durham, and 2-3 days is enough time in Berkeley.

Families should spend more time in Berkeley than Durham. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Berkeley, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Berkeley than Durham. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Berkeley that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berkeley than Durham if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Berkeley.

One day in Durham or Berkeley?

The city of Durham offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Berkeley. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Durham or Berkeley?

Durham is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Durham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Berkeley is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Durham or Berkeley?

Durham is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berkeley. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Durham or Berkeley?

Durham is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse destination of Berkeley. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Durham or Berkeley?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Berkeley. When comparing the sizes of Durham and Berkeley, 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 Durham or Berkeley?

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 Durham or Berkeley in the Summer?

Both Berkeley and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Durham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Berkeley for the family-friendly experiences.

Durham is much warmer than Berkeley in the summer. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Berkeley fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Durham. In July, Durham usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Durham or Berkeley in the Autumn?

Both Berkeley and Durham during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Durham for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Berkeley in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Durham is around the same temperature as Berkeley. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durham in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Berkeley averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Durham usually gets more rain in October than Berkeley. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Berkeley in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Berkeley. Many visitors come to Durham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Berkeley for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Durham can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Durham is generally much colder than Berkeley. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Berkeley fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

In January, Durham usually receives less rain than Berkeley. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Durham or Berkeley in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Durham as well as Berkeley. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Berkeley because of the natural beauty.

Durham is a little warmer than Berkeley in the spring. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Berkeley fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Durham usually gets more rain in April than Berkeley. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Berkeley and Durham