A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nassau vs. New Bern for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nassau or New Bern?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or New Bern, 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 New Bern?

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.

New Bern

New Bern is a town in the coastal region of North Carolina. The town, which has a population of about 30,000, is the county seat of Craven County. It sits at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers close to the North Carolina coast, although there is no coastline in town. The town makes a nice daytrip from Raleigh, which is 112 miles away, and Wilmington, which is 87 miles away. It's also 162 miles from Norfolk, Virginia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, New Bern or Nassau?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $189, while the average daily cost in New Bern is $140. 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 New Bern in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nassau $109
    New Bern $76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nassau $218
    New Bern $152
Compare Hotels in Nassau and New Bern

Looking for a hotel in Nassau or New Bern? 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 Nassau


Hotels in New Bern


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 New Bern Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nassau $32
    New Bern $34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $8.02
  • Taxi to Cable Beach
    $25
  • Taxi from Airport
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:

  • (Private) Nassau Bahamas Airport Round-Trip Transfers (1-4ppl One Flat Rate): $160
  • Airport Transfer: $190
  • Atlantis Private Luxury Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $190
  • Baha Mar ( Grand Hyatt, SLS, Rosewood Hotels) Private Airport Transfers : $160
  • Chippies Airport/Hotel Transfers Transportation: $55
  • Group transfer: $68
  • Low Cost Airport Transfers: $185
  • Luxury MKT Town Car Private Roundtrip Transfer : $140
  • Lynden Pindling Airport (NAS): Round-Trip Nassau Transfer: $252
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109

Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or New Bern?

Prices for flights to both New Bern 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nassau $53
    New Bern $41

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nassau $37
    New Bern $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:


  • Jet Ski
    $50
  • 4 Hr Kayak Tour
    $70
  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nassau $19
    New Bern $30
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:


  • 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 New Bern, we can see that Nassau is more expensive. And not only is New Bern much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nassau is in Caribbean Islands and New Bern 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 New Bern would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in New Bern 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 New Bern.

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


Which is Bigger, Nassau or New Bern?

Nassau has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of Nassau and New Bern, 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 New Bern?

New Bern 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 New Bern in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nassau and New Bern. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nassau year-round. Also, most visitors come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Nassau is around the same temperature as New Bern in the summer. The daily temperature in Nassau averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nassau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nassau usually receives less rain than New Bern. Nassau gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nassau 28°C (82°F) 
    New Bern 80°F (27°C)

Should I visit Nassau or New Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nassau as well as New Bern. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to New Bern because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Nassau is a little warmer than New Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nassau in October average around 26°C (79°F), and New Bern averages at about 65°F (18°C).

Nassau receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nassau usually gets more rain in October than New Bern. Nassau gets 184 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nassau 26°C (79°F) 
    New Bern 65°F (18°C)

Should I visit Nassau or New Bern in the Winter?

Both New Bern and Nassau are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to New Bern this time of year.

In January, Nassau is generally much warmer than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 21°C (70°F), and New Bern fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. In January, Nassau usually receives less rain than New Bern. Nassau gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nassau 21°C (70°F) 
    New Bern 44°F (7°C)

Should I visit Nassau or New Bern in the Spring?

Both New Bern and Nassau during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm.

Nassau is a little warmer than New Bern in the spring. The daily temperature in Nassau averages around 23°C (74°F) in April, and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

Nassau usually gets less rain in April than New Bern. Nassau gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nassau 23°C (74°F) 
    New Bern 62°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for New Bern and Nassau

Nassau New Bern
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 51 mm (2 in) 44°F (7°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Feb 21°C (70°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Mar 22°C (72°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 54°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 23°C (74°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 62°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
May 25°C (77°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 69°F (21°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Jun 27°C (80°F) 237 mm (9.3 in) 76°F (25°C) 5 inches (126 mm)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 80°F (27°C) 6.6 inches (169 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 211 mm (8.3 in) 79°F (26°C) 7.6 inches (192 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 75°F (24°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 184 mm (7.2 in) 65°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Nov 24°C (75°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 56°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 22°C (71°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 48°F (9°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)