Which place is cheaper, Monterey or North Conway?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit North Conway or Monterey?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit North Conway or Monterey? 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: North Conway or Monterey?
North Conway
North Conway is a small town in New Hampshire in the Mount Washington Valley (MWV). The entire valley is a popular vacation area year-round due to the multiple ski resorts and summer activities including amusement parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more.
Monterey
When it comes to California, Monterey may not be mentioned half as much as you hear about Los Angeles or San Francisco, but it is a beautiful city to visit, with a diverse expanse of exciting and relaxing things to do, whether you're looking for adventure, a quiet getaway, or romance.
Located on California's central coast, the city of Monterey was the first State Capital of California. It was also home to many artists, athletes, and musicians, such as John Steinbeck, Clint Eastwood, and Ron Johnson.
Monterey has mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Cold season runs from December to April and warm season, from July until October. The peak travel seasons are during summer, from July to September. If you want to avoid crowds, the months of April and October are ideal times to visit for fewer crowds and comfortable weather.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNorth Conway $224Monterey $170
The average daily cost (per person) in North Conway is $224, while the average daily cost in Monterey is $170. 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 Conway and Monterey in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNorth Conway $125Monterey $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNorth Conway $250Monterey $180
Compare Hotels in North Conway and Monterey
Looking for a hotel in North Conway or Monterey? 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: North Conway Hotel Prices and Monterey Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.North Conway $52Monterey $32
Is it cheaper to fly into North Conway or Monterey?
Prices for flights to both Monterey and North Conway 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 dayNorth Conway $64Monterey $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Monterey
For Monterey, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guided Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.North Conway $38Monterey $27
Tours and Activities in North Conway
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for North Conway.
- 3-Hour Private Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Littleton, NH: $39
- Kancamagus Highway: Audio Driving Tour: $12
- Kancamagus Scenic Byway Audio Driving Tour Guide: $17
- Meet the Winemakers - Seven Birches Winery Tour: $40
Tours and Activities in Monterey
For Monterey, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Big Sur: Sightseeing Tour with 4 to 5 Stops: $125
- California: Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle: $40
- From San Francisco: Monterey and Carmel Day Tour: $114
- Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise: $95
- Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour: $70
- Monterey Cannery Row: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $49
- Monterey County Salinas Valley Farm Tour: $120
- Monterey Fisherman's Wharf & Presidio Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $49
- Monterey Peninsula Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Monterey Peninsula Sightseeing Tour along the 17 Mile Drive: $115
- 17-Mile Drive Guided E-Bike Tour: $79
- 17-Mile Drive Pebble Beach E-Bike Tour: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNorth Conway $33Monterey $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Monterey
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Monterey:
- Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tour: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between North Conway and Monterey, we can see that North Conway is more expensive. And not only is Monterey much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Monterey would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Monterey 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 North Conway would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in North Conway than you might in Monterey.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is North Conway Expensive? and Is Monterey Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, North Conway or Monterey?
Monterey has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of North Conway and Monterey, 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 North Conway or Monterey?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit North Conway or Monterey in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both North Conway and Monterey. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Monterey because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, North Conway is a little warmer than Monterey. Typically, the summer temperatures in North Conway in July average around 69°F (20°C), and Monterey averages at about 63°F (17°C).
In July, North Conway usually receives more rain than Monterey. North Conway gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNorth Conway 69°F (20°C)Monterey 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit North Conway or Monterey in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to North Conway as well as Monterey. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.
In October, North Conway is generally much colder than Monterey. Daily temperatures in North Conway average around 49°F (9°C), and Monterey fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
North Conway usually gets more rain in October than Monterey. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNorth Conway 49°F (9°C)Monterey 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit North Conway or Monterey in the Winter?
Both Monterey and North Conway are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Monterey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in North Conway in the winter. North Conway is much colder than Monterey in the winter. The daily temperature in North Conway averages around 21°F (-6°C) in January, and Monterey fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
In January, North Conway usually receives more rain than Monterey. North Conway gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNorth Conway 21°F (-6°C)Monterey 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit North Conway or Monterey in the Spring?
Both Monterey and North Conway during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Monterey in the spring for the beaches.
In the spring, North Conway is much colder than Monterey. Typically, the spring temperatures in North Conway in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Monterey averages at about 56°F (13°C).
North Conway usually gets more rain in April than Monterey. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNorth Conway 43°F (6°C)Monterey 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Monterey and North Conway
| North Conway | Monterey | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°F (-6°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 33°F (1°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 63°F (17°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 69°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 49°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 39°F (4°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 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.