A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America North Carolina vs. Alaska for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit North Carolina or Alaska?

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 North Carolina and Alaska can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: North Carolina or Alaska?

North Carolina

North Carolina is a diverse state in the southern United States. The state has a variety of landscapes, with mountains, forests, and beaches all represented. The state's elevation ranges from sea level to 6,684 feet on Mount Mitchell, which is the highest point in North America east of the Mississippi. There are large cosmopolitan cities like Charlotte, and there are quaint college towns like Chapel Hill. North Carolina is the nineth most populous state in the country and the economy is currently centered around engineering, energy, biotechnology, and finance. Historically, the state's economy developed from the tobacco, textile, and furniture making industries.

Alaska

Alaska joined the United States of America as the 49th state. The US purchased the area from the Russian Empire in 1867 for just 7.2 million dollars (about two cents an acre). It became an organized territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It is separated from the rest of the country by Canada and, although it is the largest state, it is the least densely populated and for many years had the lowest population. It covers an area equal to California, Texas and Montana combined and lies on the Arctic Circle. Many people consider Alaska to be the United State's "final frontier" because of its vast wilderness. It is also where you will find the highest point in North America.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Alaska or North Carolina?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in North Carolina is $185, while the average daily cost in Alaska is $243. 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 North Carolina and Alaska in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    North Carolina $112
    Alaska $135
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    North Carolina $224
    Alaska $270
Compare Hotels in North Carolina and Alaska

Looking for a hotel in North Carolina or Alaska? 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 North Carolina


Hotels in Alaska


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    North Carolina $36
    Alaska $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
  • Private Departure Transfer to Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC: $62
  • Shuttle Transfer Anchorage to/from Denali National Park: $150
  • Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $197
  • Anchorage to Seward- Pre-Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $219
  • Private Transfer Whittier Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport ANC: $232
  • SUV-Private Transfer, Anchorage to Seward Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
  • SUV-Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
  • SUV-Private Transfer, Whittier Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
  • SUV-Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage : $299

Is it cheaper to fly into North Carolina or Alaska?

Prices for flights to both Alaska and North Carolina 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
    North Carolina $45
    Alaska $57

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.

  • "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $210
  • Kenai Fjords Glacier Dinner Cruise from Seward: $213
  • Half Day ATV Tour and Dinner Experience: $250

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    North Carolina $25
    Alaska $65

Tours and Activities in Alaska

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:

  • Gold Rush Boomtown: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Skagway: $5.00
  • Juneau, The Last Frontier Self Guided (Smart Phone App/GPS) Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Fort Seward: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Alaska’s historical Port Chilkoot: $6.99
  • Sensational Sitka Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Skagway Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Seward Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • 30 Minute Tour of Totem Park | NATIONAL PARK: $19
  • DIY Skagway Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $20
  • Salmon Express Anchorage's Fish Hatchery Experience: $20
  • Anchorage Trolley Tour: $25
  • Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $34
  • Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $34

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    North Carolina $29
    Alaska $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska

Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings: $179


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between North Carolina and Alaska, we can see that Alaska is more expensive. And not only is North Carolina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to North Carolina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in North Carolina 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 Alaska would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alaska than you might in North Carolina.

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


Which has a larger population, North Carolina or Alaska?

North Carolina has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of North Carolina and Alaska, 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.