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

Should you visit Havana or Roanoke?

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 Roanoke can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Roanoke?

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.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a charming city located in the western region of the U.S. state of Virginia. Sometimes called the "Star City of the South" or the "Magic City," Roanoke lies in the scenic Roanoke Valley with Mill Mountain as a local icon, topped with a lighted 100-foot star. The city itself is home to many museums and opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Roanoke 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 Roanoke is $164. 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 Roanoke in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $40
    Roanoke $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $80
    Roanoke $192
Compare Hotels in Havana and Roanoke

Looking for a hotel in Havana or Roanoke? 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 Roanoke


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: Roanoke Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    Roanoke $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.68

Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Roanoke?

Prices for flights to both Roanoke 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
    Roanoke $48
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 Roanoke

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

  • Roanoke Ebike Food Tour: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Havana $11
    Roanoke $35

Tours and Activities in Roanoke

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

  • Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia) Driving Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
  • Blue Ridge Parkway – Driving Audio Tour (Roanoke ↔ Afton): $12
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Roanoke to Afton) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Roanoke Downtown Food and Cultural Tour: $78
  • Roanoke Holiday Season E-Bike Tour: $92
  • 3-Hour E-Bike Sightseeing and Breweries Tour in Roanoke: $109
  • Mountain Bike Tour from The Roanoke Star: $139

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    Roanoke $30
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

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


  • Mojito
    $0.15


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


Which is Bigger, Havana or Roanoke?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Roanoke, 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 Roanoke?

Roanoke 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 Roanoke in the Summer?

Both Roanoke 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, the summer months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Havana is around the same temperature as Roanoke in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Roanoke fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

Roanoke gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Havana usually gets less rain in July than Roanoke. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Havana 27°C (81°F) 
    Roanoke 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Havana or Roanoke in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Roanoke. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year.

In the autumn, Havana is much warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Roanoke averages at about 60°F (16°C).

In October, Havana usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Havana 25°C (77°F) 
    Roanoke 60°F (16°C)

Should I visit Havana or Roanoke in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Havana as well as Roanoke. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Roanoke for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Roanoke. In January, Havana is generally much warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in January than Roanoke. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Havana 21°C (70°F) 
    Roanoke 38°F (3°C)

Should I visit Havana or Roanoke in the Spring?

Both Roanoke and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.

Havana is much warmer than Roanoke in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In April, Havana usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Havana 24°C (75°F) 
    Roanoke 59°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Havana

Havana Roanoke
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 38°F (3°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 41°F (5°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 59°F (15°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.4 inches (88 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 79°F (26°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 78°F (26°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 60°F (16°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 51°F (11°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 42°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)