A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. San Antonio for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Durham or San Antonio?

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 San Antonio can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a student-filled, sports oriented, and diverse city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a festive, fun, and historic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Durham and San Antonio: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or San Antonio?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Antonio than Durham. San Antonio is bigger than Durham, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Antonio is more touristy than Durham and is known for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks. Also, San Antonio is famous for The Alamo. Durham is well known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from San Antonio?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Antonio 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 San Antonio?

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

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 San Antonio can be an interesting and educational experience. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Durham and San Antonio can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Durham area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around San Antonio. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

Is Durham or San Antonio Better for Nightlife?

Both Durham and San Antonio are notable when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in San Antonio. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

Is Durham or San Antonio Better for Music?

San Antonio is very good for its music scene. However, Durham is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in San Antonio. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Durham is not a live music destination.

Is Durham or San Antonio Better for its Old Town?

San Antonio is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Durham does not have a historic old town.

San Antonio offers a nice historic old town area. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Durham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or San Antonio?

Both Durham and San Antonio are notable shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Durham to go shopping. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in San Antonio. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.

Is Durham or San Antonio Better for Christmas?

San Antonio is very good for its Christmas activities. However, Durham does not offer Christmas activities.

Many visitors go to San Antonio during the Christmas season. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.

Durham does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Durham or San Antonio Better for Families?

San Antonio is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

San Antonio is one of the most popular family destinations. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

Durham is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Durham or San Antonio Better for Couples?

Both Durham and San Antonio are notable 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.

San Antonio is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.

Is Durham or San Antonio Better for Students?

Durham is a great destination for students. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Durham. 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.

It's common for students to visit San Antonio. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

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

Both Durham and San Antonio offer respectable public transit options.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

Is Durham or San Antonio a more walkable city?

Durham and San Antonio both are respectable when exploring on foot.

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

San Antonio is generally not a very walkable city. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in San Antonio or Durham?

How long in Durham or San Antonio?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Antonio 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 San Antonio.

One day in Durham or San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the sports oriented city of Durham. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A weekend in Durham or San Antonio?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the student-filled destination of Durham. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

San Antonio 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 San Antonio?

The diverse city of Durham offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Antonio. 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 San Antonio?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Durham. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the colorful destination of San Antonio. 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 New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Durham or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Durham. When comparing the sizes of Durham and San Antonio, 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 San Antonio?

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 San Antonio in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and San Antonio. Many visitors come to Durham in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Antonio for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Durham is cooler than San Antonio. Typically, the summer temperatures in Durham in July average around 79°F (26°C), and San Antonio averages at about 87°F (31°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio this time of the year. In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. Durham usually receives less sunshine than San Antonio during summer. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

Durham gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Durham usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Durham or San Antonio in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Durham as well as San Antonio. Most visitors come to Durham for the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Durham is generally cooler than San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 61°F (16°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In the autumn, Durham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 213 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets less rain in October than San Antonio. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or San Antonio in the Winter?

Both San Antonio and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Durham because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.

The weather in Durham can be very cold. Durham is much colder than San Antonio in the winter. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and San Antonio fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Durham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio during winter. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Durham usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Durham or San Antonio in the Spring?

Both San Antonio and Durham during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to San Antonio for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Durham is cooler than San Antonio. Typically, the spring temperatures in Durham in April average around 60°F (16°C), and San Antonio averages at about 74°F (23°C).

In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Durham. In the spring, Durham often gets more sunshine than San Antonio. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets more rain in April than San Antonio. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Antonio and Durham