A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Bern vs. Fairfield for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit New Bern or Fairfield?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Fairfield? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: New Bern or Fairfield?

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.

Fairfield

The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.

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


Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or New Bern?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in New Bern is $140, while the average daily cost in Fairfield is $131. 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 New Bern and Fairfield in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    New Bern $76
    Fairfield $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    New Bern $152
    Fairfield $194
Compare Hotels in New Bern and Fairfield

Looking for a hotel in New Bern or Fairfield? 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 New Bern


Hotels in Fairfield


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: New Bern Hotel Prices and Fairfield Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    New Bern $34
    Fairfield -

Is it cheaper to fly into New Bern or Fairfield?

Prices for flights to both Fairfield and New Bern 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
    New Bern $41
    Fairfield $30

Typical Food Prices in Fairfield

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:


  • El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)
    $17
  • Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)
    $44

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    New Bern $26
    Fairfield $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    New Bern $30
    Fairfield -

Sample the Local Flavors in Fairfield

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fairfield:

  • Olive Oil, Cheese, and Wine Tasting with Local Expert: $133


When comparing the travel costs between New Bern and Fairfield, we can see that New Bern 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 New Bern Expensive? and Is Fairfield Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, New Bern or Fairfield?

Fairfield has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Fairfield, 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 New Bern or Fairfield?

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 New Bern or Fairfield in the Summer?

Both Fairfield and New Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to New Bern in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

New Bern is a little warmer than Fairfield in the summer. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Fairfield fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets more rain in July than Fairfield. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    New Bern 80°F (27°C) 
    Fairfield 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit New Bern or Fairfield in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Fairfield. Most visitors come to New Bern for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In the autumn, New Bern is around the same temperature as Fairfield. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Bern in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Fairfield averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, New Bern usually receives more rain than Fairfield. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    New Bern 65°F (18°C) 
    Fairfield 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit New Bern or Fairfield in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Fairfield. The winter months attract visitors to New Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, New Bern is generally cooler than Fairfield. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 44°F (7°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets more rain in January than Fairfield. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    New Bern 44°F (7°C) 
    Fairfield 46°F (8°C)

Should I visit New Bern or Fairfield in the Spring?

Both Fairfield and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm are the main draw to New Bern this time of year.

New Bern is a little warmer than Fairfield in the spring. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 62°F (16°C) in April, and Fairfield fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, New Bern usually receives more rain than Fairfield. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    New Bern 62°F (16°C) 
    Fairfield 56°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Fairfield and New Bern

New Bern Fairfield
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 44°F (7°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Feb 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 62°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
May 69°F (21°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 76°F (25°C) 5 inches (126 mm) 69°F (21°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 80°F (27°C) 6.6 inches (169 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 79°F (26°C) 7.6 inches (192 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 70°F (21°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 65°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Nov 56°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 48°F (9°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 46°F (8°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)