Which place is cheaper, Durham or Nassau?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nassau or Durham?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or Durham, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nassau or Durham?
Nassau
There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.
As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.
Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.
Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.
Durham
Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.
Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.
Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNassau $189Durham $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $189, while the average daily cost in Durham is $162. 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 Nassau and Durham in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNassau $109Durham $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNassau $218Durham $184
Compare Hotels in Nassau and Durham
Looking for a hotel in Nassau or Durham? 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: Nassau Hotel Prices and Durham Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nassau $32Durham $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:
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Water Taxi$8.02
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Taxi to Cable Beach$25
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Taxi from Airport$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:
- Private One-Way Transfer from Lynden Airport to Bahamas: $30
- Shared Shuttle Transfer to NAS Airport - Departure: $34
- Shared Shuttle Transfer from NAS Airport - Arrival: $34
- Nassau Cruise Port to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Nassau cruise port to Nassau Airport (NAS) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Private Transfer in Nassau: $45
- Nassau Airport Round-trip Shared Transfers: $45
- Nassau hotel or address to Nassau Airport (NAS) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Chippies Airport/Hotel Transfers Transportation: $55
- Private Airport Arrival Transfer Nassau, Bahamar & Paradise Isld: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or Durham?
Prices for flights to both Durham and Nassau 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 dayNassau $53Durham $44
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.
- Nassau Food Tour and Beach Break: $65
- Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
- Sail Catamaran Sunset Dinner Cruise: $116
- All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $125
- Dinner and Dancing: $130
- Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class: $135
- Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
- Island Food Tour: $140
- Gourmet dinner & sunset cruise on luxury catamaran: $375
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nassau $37Durham $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:
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Jet Ski$50
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4 Hr Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Nassau
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:
- All New Weekend Tour with Seafood Snack Portuguese & Spanish : $7.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Nassau Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Jewel of the Bahamas: $15
- Heritage Museum of The Bahamas Nassau Guided Tour: $20
- Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $28
- Roundtrip Shuttle from Cruise Terminal at Prince George Wharf: $29
- Nassau Sightseeing Bus Tour: $35
- Big Bus Private Tour (minimum of 15): $43
- Bahamas Ghost Walking Tour: $44
- Island Tour: $44
- Dis We Culture Tour (At least 6 passengers): $50
- Banana Boat Adventure: $50
Tours and Activities in Durham
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Durham are as follows:
- True Crime Tour: $13
- Downtown Durham Historian-Guided Walking Tour: $16
- Durham African American History Tour: $16
- Durham NC: Art Walking Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNassau $19Durham $34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:
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Cocktail$6.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $135
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $140
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nassau and Durham, we can see that Nassau is more expensive. And not only is Durham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nassau is in Caribbean Islands and Durham 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 Durham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durham 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau than you might in Durham.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nassau Expensive? and Is Durham Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nassau or Durham?
Nassau has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Durham. When comparing the sizes of Nassau and Durham, 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 Nassau or Durham?
Durham has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Nassau experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Nassau or Durham in the Summer?
Both Durham and Nassau are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Durham because of the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Nassau is generally around the same temperature as Durham. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 28°C (82°F), and Durham fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Durham. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nassau. Nassau usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Durham during summer. Nassau gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Durham. It's quite rainy in Nassau. In July, Nassau usually receives more rain than Durham. Nassau gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNassau 28°C (82°F)Durham 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Nassau or Durham in the Autumn?
Both Durham and Nassau during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Durham this time of year.
Nassau is much warmer than Durham in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nassau averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Durham fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).
In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nassau. In the autumn, Nassau often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Durham. Nassau gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 211 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nassau. Nassau usually gets more rain in October than Durham. Nassau gets 184 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNassau 26°C (79°F)Durham 61°F (16°C)
Should I visit Nassau or Durham in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nassau and Durham. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nassau year-round. Also, many travelers come to Durham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Durham. In the winter, Nassau is much warmer than Durham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nassau in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Durham averages at about 40°F (5°C).
In Nassau, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nassau usually receives more sunshine than Durham during winter. Nassau gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Nassau usually receives less rain than Durham. Nassau gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNassau 21°C (70°F)Durham 40°F (5°C)
Should I visit Nassau or Durham in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Nassau as well as Durham. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Nassau is generally a little warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 23°C (74°F), and Durham fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nassau this time of the year. In the spring, Nassau often gets more sunshine than Durham. Nassau gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 251 hours of full sun.
Nassau usually gets less rain in April than Durham. Nassau gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNassau 23°C (74°F)Durham 60°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Durham and Nassau
| Nassau | Durham | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Apr | 23°C (74°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
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.