Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Gatlinburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gatlinburg or Halifax?
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 Halifax can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Gatlinburg or Halifax?
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.
Halifax
The quaint and charming coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia has an interesting personality. While it caters to travelers from all over the world, it maintains the pace and lifestyle of a small town.
Steeped in maritime history, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and one of the world's greatest natural harbors. This busy seaport serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.
When planning your trip keep in mind that this city has a climate like other coastal cities. Summers are nice with the occasional humidity. Winters are mild, but still full of snow and wind. The best time of year to visit is most certainly the fall.
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 G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGatlinburg $190Halifax $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Gatlinburg is $190, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $114. 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 Gatlinburg and Halifax in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGatlinburg $80Halifax $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGatlinburg $160Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Gatlinburg and Halifax
Looking for a hotel in Gatlinburg or Halifax? 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.
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: Gatlinburg Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gatlinburg $35Halifax $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax
Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209
- Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
- From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80
- Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
- Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
- Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Gatlinburg or Halifax?
Prices for flights to both Halifax and Gatlinburg 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
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Food Meals for one dayGatlinburg $85Halifax $31
Typical Food Prices in Gatlinburg
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Gatlinburg:
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Chinese Food Dinner (for 2)$21
Typical Food Prices in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Bluenose II Restaurant$45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $160
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gatlinburg $24Halifax $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gatlinburg
For Gatlinburg, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Photos$22
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Horseback Riding (for 2)$55
Tours and Activities in Gatlinburg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gatlinburg.
- 3-Hour Nantahala River Fully Guided Rafting Experience: $65
- 6-Line Zip at Night Tour: $72
- 7-Line Zipline Experience in Sevierville: $119
- Admission Ticket: Brian Hoffman's Remembering Red - A Tribute to Red Skelton: $35
- Admission Ticket: Patty Waszak Show in Pigeon Forge: $35
- Appalachian Trail Adventure: $175
- Beyond The Lens Interactive Museum Admission Ticket: $27
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Cherokee to Asheville) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Blue Ridge Parkway: Audio Driving Tour: $25
- Douglas Lake View Scenic Helicopter Tour: $41
- East Tennessee Off Road ATV Guided Experience: $71
- Extended Douglas Lake Region Tour by Helicopter: $63
Tours and Activities in Halifax
For Halifax, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Exlore Halifax with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
- From City and Peggy's Cove Sunset Guided Tour: $65
- From Small Group Lunenberg Express Tour: $120
- Halifax Boardwalk and Seaport: Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
- Halifax self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
- Churches, Gardens, & Graveyards Smartphone Tour: $5.11
- City Segway Tour: $67
- Discover the Halifax Explosion Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Full Day City Sightseeing Tour: $1,675
- Guided Harbourfront Food Walking Tour: $120
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & Museum: $102
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGatlinburg $15Halifax $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Gatlinburg
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Gatlinburg:
- Famous Moonshine & Wine Tour From Pigeon Forge: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gatlinburg and Halifax, we can see that Gatlinburg is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Halifax.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gatlinburg Expensive? and Is Halifax Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Halifax?
Halifax has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gatlinburg and Halifax, 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 Halifax?
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 Halifax in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gatlinburg and Halifax. The hiking are the main draw to Gatlinburg this time of year.
Gatlinburg is much warmer than Halifax in the summer. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Halifax this time of the year. In Gatlinburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Gatlinburg usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during summer. Gatlinburg gets 294 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun in the summer.
Gatlinburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Halifax. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGatlinburg 81°F (27°C)Halifax 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Gatlinburg or Halifax in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Gatlinburg as well as Halifax. Many travelers come to Gatlinburg for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Gatlinburg is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gatlinburg in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Halifax averages at about 10°C (49°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gatlinburg this time of the year. In the autumn, Gatlinburg often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Gatlinburg gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Halifax. Gatlinburg usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. Gatlinburg gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGatlinburg 63°F (17°C)Halifax 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Gatlinburg or Halifax in the Winter?
Both Halifax and Gatlinburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Gatlinburg in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Halifax can be very cold during winter. Gatlinburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Gatlinburg is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Gatlinburg average around 40°F (5°C), and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).
Gatlinburg usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during winter. Gatlinburg gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. It's quite rainy in Gatlinburg. In January, Gatlinburg usually receives less rain than Halifax. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGatlinburg 40°F (5°C)Halifax -4°C (24°F)
Should I visit Gatlinburg or Halifax in the Spring?
Both Halifax and Gatlinburg during the spring are popular places to visit.
The weather in Halifax can be very cold. Gatlinburg is much warmer than Halifax in the spring. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
It's quite sunny in Gatlinburg. In the spring, Gatlinburg often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Gatlinburg gets 263 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.
Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Gatlinburg usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. Gatlinburg gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGatlinburg 62°F (17°C)Halifax 4°C (39°F)
Typical Weather for Halifax and Gatlinburg
| Gatlinburg | Halifax | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | -4°C (24°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 44°F (7°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) | -1°C (31°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 62°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 4°C (39°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 78°F (25°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 14°C (57°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Aug | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 74°F (24°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Oct | 63°F (17°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 5°C (40°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | -1°C (29°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
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.