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

Should you visit Gatlinburg or Fairfield?

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 Gatlinburg and Fairfield can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Gatlinburg or Fairfield?

Gatlinburg

Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national park.

Fairfield

The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Fairfield?

Fairfield has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gatlinburg and Fairfield, 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 Gatlinburg or Fairfield?

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 Gatlinburg or Fairfield in the Summer?

Both Fairfield and Gatlinburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Gatlinburg for the hiking.

Gatlinburg is a little warmer than Fairfield in the summer. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Fairfield fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Fairfield. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during summer. Gatlinburg gets 294 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Gatlinburg. In July, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Fairfield in the Autumn?

Both Fairfield and Gatlinburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Gatlinburg in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Gatlinburg is around the same temperature as Fairfield. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gatlinburg in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Fairfield averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Gatlinburg. In the autumn, Gatlinburg often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Gatlinburg gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun.

Gatlinburg usually gets more rain in October than Fairfield. Gatlinburg gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Fairfield in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Gatlinburg and Fairfield. Most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Gatlinburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Gatlinburg is generally much colder than Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Gatlinburg average around 40°F (5°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Gatlinburg usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during winter. Gatlinburg gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

Gatlinburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Fairfield in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Gatlinburg as well as Fairfield.

Gatlinburg is a little warmer than Fairfield in the spring. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Fairfield fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fairfield. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gatlinburg this time of the year. In the spring, Gatlinburg often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Gatlinburg gets 263 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun.

Gatlinburg usually gets more rain in April than Fairfield. Gatlinburg gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Fairfield and Gatlinburg