Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Hilton Head Island?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island and Halifax can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Hilton Head Island or Halifax?
Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head, also called Hilton Head Island, is primarily a resort and beach town off the coast of South Carolina. Located on a barrier island, the place is best known for its beaches and golf courses overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, 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 dayHilton Head Island $243Halifax $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Hilton Head Island is $243, 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 Hilton Head Island and Halifax in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHilton Head Island $129Halifax $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHilton Head Island $258Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Hilton Head Island and Halifax
Looking for a hotel in Hilton Head Island 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: Hilton Head Island Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hilton Head Island $34Halifax $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax
Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36
- Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
- Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
- Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
- Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Hilton Head Island or Halifax?
Prices for flights to both Halifax and Hilton Head Island 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 dayHilton Head Island $60Halifax $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hilton Head Island
For Hilton Head Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dolphin Watching 3-Course Dinner Cruise: $70
- Sunset Hibachi Dinner Cruise : $102
- Hilton Head Sunset Dinner Cruise: $106
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $106
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.Hilton Head Island $23Halifax $28
Tours and Activities in Hilton Head Island
For Hilton Head Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- #1 Historical Horse Drawn Carriage Tour: $35
- 1 Hour Private Dolphin Tour Hilton Head Island: $250
- 2-Hour Hilton Head Guided Kayak Nature Tour: $45
- 90 Minute Hilton Head Dolphin Tour: $48
- 90 Minute Hilton Head Dolphin and Nature Cruise: $45
- 90 minute Hilton Head Sunset Dolphin Cruise: $55
- Beaufort City Minibus Tour: $35
- Beaufort Ghost Walking Tours : $22
- Beaufort Gullah Heritage Tour: $49
- Beaufort’s #1 Horse & Carriage History Tour: $35
- Complete History and Movie Walking Tour of Beaufort: $30
- Daufuskie Island Daily Round Trip Ferry Tickets: $54
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 dayHilton Head Island $26Halifax $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Hilton Head Island
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Hilton Head Island:
- Hilton Head's ONLY Distillery Experience: $55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hilton Head Island and Halifax, we can see that Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island Expensive? and Is Halifax Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hilton Head Island or Halifax?
Halifax has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hilton Head Island. When comparing the sizes of Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island or Halifax in the Summer?
Both Halifax and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year.
In the summer, Hilton Head Island is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hilton Head Island in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Halifax averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Halifax. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head Island usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during summer. Hilton Head Island gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Hilton Head Island. In July, Hilton Head Island usually receives more rain than Halifax. Hilton Head Island gets 7.9 inches (200 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 JulyHilton Head Island 82°F (28°C)Halifax 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Halifax in the Autumn?
Both Halifax and Hilton Head Island during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Hilton Head Island is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 68°F (20°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
It's quite sunny in Hilton Head Island. In the autumn, Hilton Head Island often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Hilton Head Island gets 223 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. Hilton Head Island usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. Hilton Head Island gets 2.8 inches (71 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 OctoberHilton Head Island 68°F (20°C)Halifax 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Halifax in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilton Head Island and Halifax. Many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Halifax can be very cold during winter. Hilton Head Island is much warmer than Halifax in the winter. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 48°F (9°C) in January, and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).
Hilton Head Island usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during winter. Hilton Head Island gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun in the winter.
Halifax receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Hilton Head Island usually receives less rain than Halifax. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 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 JanuaryHilton Head Island 48°F (9°C)Halifax -4°C (24°F)
Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Halifax in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hilton Head Island as well as Halifax. Most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
The weather in Halifax can be very cold. In the spring, Hilton Head Island is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hilton Head Island in April average around 67°F (19°C), and Halifax averages at about 4°C (39°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hilton Head Island this time of the year. In the spring, Hilton Head Island often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Hilton Head Island gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Halifax. Hilton Head Island usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 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 AprilHilton Head Island 67°F (19°C)Halifax 4°C (39°F)
Typical Weather for Halifax and Hilton Head Island
| Hilton Head Island | Halifax | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 48°F (9°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | -4°C (24°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 52°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 58°F (15°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | -1°C (31°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 4°C (39°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) | 14°C (57°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 7.9 inches (200 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (164 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 77°F (25°C) | 5.6 inches (141 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Oct | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Nov | 59°F (15°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 5°C (40°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 52°F (11°C) | 3.3 inches (83 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.