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

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Should you visit Gainesville or Raleigh?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Raleigh, 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 Raleigh?

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.

Raleigh

Raleigh is the capital city of the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of about 450,000 and is home to many colleges and university including North Carolina State University, Shaw University, Saint Augustine's College, Meredith College and Peace University. The city has a wide range of museums, restaurants, theaters, and parks. There's also an extensive greenway system that is great for biking or running.

Which place is cheaper, Raleigh or Gainesville?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Gainesville is $221, while the average daily cost in Raleigh is $189. 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 Gainesville and Raleigh in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gainesville $119
    Raleigh $104
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gainesville $238
    Raleigh $208
Compare Hotels in Gainesville and Raleigh

Looking for a hotel in Gainesville or Raleigh? 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 Raleigh


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 Raleigh Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gainesville $40
    Raleigh $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gainesville

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gainesville:

  • Private Transfer from Gainesville to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $400
  • Private Transfer from Gainesville to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $596
  • Private Transfer from Gainesville to Port Canaveral: $581

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Raleigh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Raleigh:

  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh Arrival Private Transfer: $59
  • Raleigh to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
  • Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $62
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $118
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $125

Is it cheaper to fly into Gainesville or Raleigh?

Prices for flights to both Raleigh 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 $70
    Raleigh $57
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

Typical Food prices in Raleigh

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Raleigh:


  • The Pit Authentic BBQ (for 3)
    $84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Raleigh

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Raleigh.

  • Private Cooking Class in Durham with an Expert Home Cook: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gainesville $44
    Raleigh $37
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:

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Butterfly Rainforest at Florida Museum of Natural History Ticket: $15
  • Private Snorkeling Tour in Florida Springs: $250

Tours and Activities in Raleigh

Here are a few actual costs in Raleigh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Durham by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • Crime Solving Detective Experience Chapel Hill: $15
  • Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Walking Tour: $26
  • Raleigh Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Tour: $30
  • Raleigh Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Trolley Pub Public Tour of Raleigh: $45
  • Carolina Hurricanes Ice Hockey Game Ticket at PNC Arena: $48
  • Private Pedicab Tour of Downtown Raleigh: $60
  • 3-Hour Canopy Zipline Adventure in Raleigh: $670

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gainesville $49
    Raleigh $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Raleigh

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Raleigh:

  • Raleigh Bar Hunt: Rowdy Raleigh Bar Crawl: $12
  • ZincHouse Winery and Brewery Tour: $399

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Raleigh?

Raleigh is bigger, and its population is about 2.2 times larger than the population of Gainesville. When comparing the population of Gainesville vs. Raleigh, 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 Gainesville or Raleigh?

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 Raleigh in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Raleigh. Furthermore, most visitors come to Raleigh for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Gainesville is generally around the same temperature as Raleigh. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 81°F (27°C), and Raleigh fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

Raleigh receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Raleigh. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Raleigh receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Gainesville or Raleigh in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Raleigh. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the city's sights and attractions.

Gainesville is a little warmer than Raleigh in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Raleigh fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

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


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

Should I visit Gainesville or Raleigh in the Winter?

Both Raleigh and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year.

It's quite cold in Raleigh in the winter. In the winter, Gainesville is much warmer than Raleigh. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gainesville in January average around 54°F (12°C), and Raleigh averages at about 40°F (5°C).

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


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

Should I visit Gainesville or Raleigh in the Spring?

Both Raleigh and Gainesville during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Raleigh for the activities around the city.

In April, Gainesville is generally a little warmer than Raleigh. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 69°F (20°C), and Raleigh fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

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


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

Typical Weather for Raleigh and Gainesville

Gainesville Raleigh
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)


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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Gainesville vs. Raleigh Travel Comparison

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