A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Havana vs. Charlottesville for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Havana or Charlottesville?

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 Havana and Charlottesville can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Charlottesville?

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

Charlottesville

Located in central Virginia, Charlottesville is a little university town steeped in history and culture. Home to Thomas Jefferson, much of the town's architecture is heavily influenced by his hand, while the people scene is full of activities, dining, and entertainment. Many visitors are drawn to the area for the University of Virginia, the Historic Downtown Mall, plus many quaint vineyards and farms in the surrounding countryside.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Charlottesville or Havana?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $65, while the average daily cost in Charlottesville is $154. 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 Havana and Charlottesville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $40
    Charlottesville $80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $80
    Charlottesville $160
Compare Hotels in Havana and Charlottesville

Looking for a hotel in Havana or Charlottesville? 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 Havana


Hotels in Charlottesville


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: Charlottesville Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    Charlottesville $53
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlottesville

Also for Charlottesville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
  • Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Charlottesville?

Prices for flights to both Charlottesville and Havana 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
    Havana $10
    Charlottesville $42
Typical Food Prices in Havana

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


  • Pizza
    $0.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charlottesville

For Charlottesville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The UVA Corner Food Tour: Private Walking Food Tour in Charlottesville: $139
  • The Downtown Mall Food Tour: $149

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Havana $11
    Charlottesville $18

Tours and Activities in Charlottesville

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlottesville.

  • Charlottesville Historic Downtown APP/GPS Smartphone Walking Tour: $7.75
  • Shenandoah National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour: $17
  • Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour: $26
  • Charlottesville Dark History Ghost Tour : $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    Charlottesville $53
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:


  • Mojito
    $0.15

Sample the Local Flavors in Charlottesville

Also in Charlottesville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi : $85


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Charlottesville, we can see that Charlottesville is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana is in Caribbean Islands and Charlottesville is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Charlottesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charlottesville than you might in Havana.

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


Which is Bigger, Havana or Charlottesville?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Charlottesville, 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 Havana or Charlottesville?

Charlottesville has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Havana or Charlottesville in the Summer?

Both Charlottesville and Havana during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Havana is generally around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 27°C (81°F), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Havana usually gets less rain in July than Charlottesville. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Havana 27°C (81°F) 
    Charlottesville 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Havana or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Charlottesville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Havana is much warmer than Charlottesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In October, Havana usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Havana 25°C (77°F) 
    Charlottesville 59°F (15°C)

Should I visit Havana or Charlottesville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Havana as well as Charlottesville. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

It's quite cold in Charlottesville in the winter. In the winter, Havana is much warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Havana in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Charlottesville averages at about 36°F (2°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in January than Charlottesville. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Havana 21°C (70°F) 
    Charlottesville 36°F (2°C)

Should I visit Havana or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Havana is generally much warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 24°C (75°F), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Havana usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Havana 24°C (75°F) 
    Charlottesville 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Havana

Havana Charlottesville
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 36°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (83 mm)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (80 mm)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 49°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 58°F (14°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 67°F (19°C) 3.8 inches (98 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 74°F (24°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 78°F (26°C) 5 inches (128 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 77°F (25°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 71°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 59°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 41°F (5°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)