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

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Should you visit Gainesville or Durham?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Durham, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Gainesville or Durham?

Gainesville

Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Durham or Gainesville?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Gainesville is $172, while the average daily cost in Durham is $130. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Gainesville and Durham in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gainesville $95
    Durham $73
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gainesville $190
    Durham $146
Compare Hotels in Gainesville and Durham

Looking for a hotel in Gainesville or Durham? 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 Gainesville


Hotels in Durham


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: Gainesville Hotel Prices and Durham Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gainesville $32
    Durham $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gainesville

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gainesville:

  • Private Transfer from Gainesville to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $453
  • Private Transfer from Gainesville to Port Canaveral: $658
  • Private Transfer from Gainesville to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $676

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durham

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Durham:

  • Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $139
  • Private Transfer from Durham to Manchester Airport (MAN): $407

Is it cheaper to fly into Gainesville or Durham?

Prices for flights to both Durham and Gainesville 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
    Gainesville $56
    Durham $35
Typical Food prices in Gainesville

Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:


  • Diner Breakfast for Two
    $17
  • Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)
    $24

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gainesville $16
    Durham $21
Typical Entertainment prices in Gainesville

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:


  • Manatee Tour for Two
    $98
  • Tour Guide Tip
    $5.00

Tours and Activities in Gainesville

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

  • Butterfly Rainforest at Florida Museum of Natural History Ticket: $14

Tours and Activities in Durham

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

  • Trolley Pub Public Tour of Durham: $41

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gainesville $39
    Durham $27

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gainesville and Durham, we can see that Gainesville 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 Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville than you might in Durham.


When is the best time to visit Gainesville or Durham?

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 Gainesville or Durham in the Summer?

Both Durham and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In July, Gainesville is generally around the same temperature as Durham. Temperatures in Gainesville average around 81°F (27°C), and Durham stays around 79°F (26°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Durham. It's quite rainy in Gainesville. In July, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Durham. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gainesville 81°F (27°C) 
    Durham 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Durham in the Autumn?

Both Durham and Gainesville during the autumn are popular places to visit.

Gainesville is a little warmer than Durham in the autumn. The temperature in Gainesville is usually 71°F (22°C) in October, and Durham stays around 61°F (16°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in October than Durham. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gainesville 71°F (22°C) 
    Durham 61°F (16°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Durham in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Durham.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Durham. In the winter, Gainesville is much warmer than Durham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gainesville in January are around 54°F (12°C), and Durham is about 40°F (5°C).

In January, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Durham. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gainesville 54°F (12°C) 
    Durham 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Durham in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Durham.

In April, Gainesville is generally a little warmer than Durham. Temperatures in Gainesville average around 69°F (20°C), and Durham stays around 60°F (16°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in April than Durham. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gainesville 69°F (20°C) 
    Durham 60°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Durham and Gainesville

Gainesville Durham
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 54°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm) 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 57°F (14°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Mar 63°F (17°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Apr 69°F (20°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Jun 80°F (26°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm) 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm) 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm) 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm)
Sep 78°F (26°C) 5.5 inches (139 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Oct 71°F (22°C) 2 inches (51 mm) 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Nov 63°F (17°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Dec 56°F (14°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)


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Gainesville vs. Durham Travel Comparison

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