A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jekyll Island vs. Durham for Attractions, Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Jekyll Island or Durham?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jekyll Island and Durham can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a secluded, natural, and relaxing island. Other popular activities here include museums, beaches, and hiking.

Durham

Durham is a diverse, student-filled, and sports oriented city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Jekyll Island and Durham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jekyll Island or Durham?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Jekyll Island. Although Jekyll Island and Durham are popular destinations, Jekyll Island has more sights and attractions for tourists. Jekyll Island is very popular for its resorts, beaches, and hiking, while Durham attracts visitors for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping. Jekyll Island is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its quiet beaches and its Historic District. It is also well known for Driftwood Beach. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Jekyll Island different from Durham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Durham and Jekyll Island. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jekyll Island or Durham?

Durham is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Durham. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

Jekyll Island is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

Is the Food Better in Jekyll Island or Durham? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Durham is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Durham is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Jekyll Island or Durham Better for Nightlife?

Durham is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Jekyll Island or Durham Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is a moderate island for its resorts. However, Durham is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Jekyll Island as a resort destination, but it has a few places. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Durham is not a resort destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Durham Better for Beaches?

Jekyll Island is a well-known place for the beach. However, Durham is not a beach destination.

Jekyll Island is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Durham is not a beach destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Durham Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Durham is not a hiking destination.

Jekyll Island is a popular spot for hiking. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Durham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jekyll Island or Durham?

Durham is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Durham has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Jekyll Island or Durham Better for Families?

Jekyll Island is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Jekyll Island is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

Durham is a family-friendly island. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Is Jekyll Island or Durham Better for Couples?

Both Jekyll Island and Durham are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Jekyll Island is a good island for couples to visit. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Is Jekyll Island or Durham Better for Students?

Durham is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Jekyll Island is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Durham. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Jekyll Island is not popular with students.

Is Jekyll Island or Durham Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Durham is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Jekyll Island or Durham a more walkable city?

Durham is a decent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Durham is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

Jekyll Island is not a walkable island. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Jekyll Island Worth Visiting? and Is Durham Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Durham or Jekyll Island?

How long in Jekyll Island or Durham?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jekyll Island and Durham. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Jekyll Island than in Durham. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Jekyll Island, and 1-3 days is enough time in Durham.

Families should spend more time in Jekyll Island than Durham. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Jekyll Island, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Durham than Jekyll Island. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Durham that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durham than Jekyll Island if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Durham.

One day in Jekyll Island or Durham?

Many travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Jekyll Island. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse destination of Durham. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Jekyll Island or Durham?

Jekyll Island is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Durham. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Jekyll Island or Durham?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jekyll Island. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the sports oriented destination of Durham. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Jekyll Island or Durham?

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the natural destination of Jekyll Island. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Durham. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Jekyll Island and Durham, we can see that Durham is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

When is the best time to visit Jekyll Island or Durham?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Durham in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Jekyll Island as well as Durham. Many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Jekyll Island is around the same temperature as Durham in the summer. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Durham fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jekyll Island this time of the year. In the summer, Jekyll Island often gets more sunshine than Durham. Jekyll Island gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Durham. Jekyll Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jekyll Island usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Durham. Jekyll Island gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Durham in the Autumn?

Both Durham and Jekyll Island are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Jekyll Island for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Durham because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Durham. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jekyll Island in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Durham averages at about 61°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Durham. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Durham during autumn. Jekyll Island gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Durham. Jekyll Island gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Durham in the Winter?

Both Durham and Jekyll Island during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Jekyll Island because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Durham this time of year.

It's quite cold in Durham in the winter. In January, Jekyll Island is generally much warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Jekyll Island average around 53°F (12°C), and Durham fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Jekyll Island often gets more sunshine than Durham. Jekyll Island gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun.

Jekyll Island usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Durham. Jekyll Island gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Durham in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jekyll Island and Durham. The beaches are the main draw to Jekyll Island this time of year.

Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Durham in the spring. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Durham fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In Jekyll Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jekyll Island usually receives more sunshine than Durham during spring. Jekyll Island gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jekyll Island usually receives less rain than Durham. Jekyll Island gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Durham and Jekyll Island