A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Lancaster for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Durham or Lancaster?

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 Lancaster can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Durham or Lancaster?

Durham

Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.

Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.

Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.

Lancaster

The largest city in Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, Lancaster is surrounded by scenic landscape and a unique culture. The area is predominately agricultural in nature and you will find lush farms growing crops and produce most seasons. The Amish communities are spread throughout the area and although they remain relatively isolated, they are acknowledged by fellow community members and their customs are respected. The Amish community prides themselves on minimalist living. They do not use electricity and travel around in horse and buggy, a sight which you will grow accustomed to while you're in the area. They are excellent farmers and craftsmen and you can find shops that proudly sell Amish made goods. Their close are old fashion in nature. Women generally wear long dresses and bonnets while men wear black suits and hats. The Amish community has their own churches and their own schools. There are a handful of places where you can learn more about the Amish community in the area. The Amish Experience F/X Theater offers shows and the People's Place Quilt Museum shows some handicrafts. It is possible to take an Amish Country tour or visit the Mennonite Information Center for more information.

Which place is cheaper, Lancaster or Durham?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Durham is $162, while the average daily cost in Lancaster is $183. 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 Durham and Lancaster in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Durham $92
    Lancaster $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Durham $184
    Lancaster $182
Compare Hotels in Durham and Lancaster

Looking for a hotel in Durham or Lancaster? 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 Durham


Hotels in Lancaster


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: Durham Hotel Prices and Lancaster Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Durham $33
    Lancaster $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Durham or Lancaster?

Prices for flights to both Lancaster and Durham 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
    Durham $44
    Lancaster $53

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lancaster

For Lancaster, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Red Rose Walking Food Tour in Lancaster: $65
  • International Food Tour Lancaster, Pennsylvania: $65
  • 3 Hour Dinner Theater Ticket Pass - Magic Variety Show: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Durham $26
    Lancaster $19

Tours and Activities in Durham

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Durham are as follows:

  • Durham NC: A downtown art tour on foot: $20

Tours and Activities in Lancaster

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lancaster.

  • Guided Tour of the 1792 Johannes Mueller House: $10
  • Guided Ghost Tour of Lititz: $12
  • 45-Minute Private Guided Historic Walking Tour in Lititz: $12
  • Evening Ghost Tour by Candlelight: $20
  • Farm Animal Fun Tour : $22
  • Lancaster County: Amish Farmlands, Museum Tour, Farm Visit: $35
  • Premium Amish Country Tour including Amish Farm and House: $35
  • Lancaster Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Amish Experience SuperSaver Package: $47
  • Lancaster History and Breakfast Walking Tour: $60
  • Amish Experience Visit-In-Person Tour: $65
  • Sweet & Savory Tour of Lancaster City!: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Durham $34
    Lancaster $11


When comparing the travel costs between Durham and Lancaster, we can see that Lancaster 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.

Which is Bigger, Durham or Lancaster?

Durham is bigger, and its population is about 3.7 times larger than the population of Lancaster. When comparing the population of Durham vs. Lancaster, 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 Durham or Lancaster?

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 Durham or Lancaster in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Durham as well as Lancaster.

Durham is around the same temperature as Lancaster in the summer. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Lancaster fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lancaster. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In the summer, Durham often gets less sunshine than Lancaster. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun.

Durham receives a lot of rain in the summer. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Lancaster. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Durham 79°F (26°C) 
    Lancaster 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Durham or Lancaster in the Autumn?

Both Lancaster and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Durham is a little warmer than Lancaster. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durham in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Lancaster averages at about 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually receives more sunshine than Lancaster during autumn. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Durham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lancaster. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Durham 61°F (16°C) 
    Lancaster 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Durham or Lancaster in the Winter?

Both Lancaster and Durham during the winter are popular places to visit.

Lancaster can be very cold during winter. Durham can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Durham is generally much warmer than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Durham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets more rain in January than Lancaster. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Durham 40°F (5°C) 
    Lancaster 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Durham or Lancaster in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Lancaster.

Durham is a little warmer than Lancaster in the spring. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Lancaster fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lancaster this time of the year. In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. Durham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during spring. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Durham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lancaster. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Durham 60°F (16°C) 
    Lancaster 53°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Lancaster and Durham

Durham Lancaster
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 33°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jun 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Oct 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Nov 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (82 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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Durham vs. Lancaster Travel Comparison

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