Which place is cheaper, Charlotte or Orlando?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Orlando or Charlotte? 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.
Orlando is a active, family-friendly, and entertaining city. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and food.
Charlotte is a up-and-coming, growing, and evolving city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.
Visitors will generally find more to do in Orlando than Charlotte. While Charlotte is larger than Orlando, Orlando has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Orlando is better known for its theatre productions, food, resorts, and shopping, while Charlotte is more popular for its museums and big city activities. Orlando is more touristy than Charlotte and is known for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. Also, Orlando is famous for Disney World, Universal Studios, and the city's many amusement parks. Charlotte is well known for its banking industry and growing Uptown area.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Charlotte and Orlando. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Charlotte is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.
Charlotte is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.
Orlando is very good for its shows and theatre. However, Charlotte is not a theatre destination.
If you have some extra time in Orlando, take in a show. The city has a number of local theaters that are fun to explore. As home to Disney World and Universal Studios, there are also a number of shows available that are affiliated with the parks.
Charlotte is not a theatre destination.
Orlando is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Orlando has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. You'll also find many restaurants at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs. Food can be expensive, and the quality can vary dramatically. Many people enjoy going to dinner shows as well. Restaurants can be challenging also, as reservations must be made months in advance.
Charlotte offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.
The vibe at night is notable in both Orlando and Charlotte.
If you're looking for night time activities Orlando has a few options to choose from. If you need a break from the kids, you'll find some of the best nightlife around Orlando at Disney Springs, Wall Street Plaza and Universal CityWalk.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlotte. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.
Orlando is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Charlotte is not a resort destination.
If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Orlando is a perfect choice. Disney World is famous for its many iconic resorts. Some of the most popular are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. There are also many resorts that aren't affiliated with the major theme parks. These tend to be more affordable, but transportation options to and from the park are limited. You'll also miss out on the perks that come with staying at a theme park resort.
Charlotte is not a resort destination.
Orlando is great for its shopping areas. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Orlando. Shopping is a dream for any Disney enthusiast. There are countless malls and shops, both on and off the Disney grounds, that sell all of the Disney paraphernalia. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are the most famous areas. During the evenings, these areas can be very crowded, but during the day they're less popular as most people are at the theme parks.
Charlotte is a great destination for shopping. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.
Orlando is terrific for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Charlotte does not offer Christmas activities.
With so many activities, Orlando is a top place to visit during Christmas. Christmas at Disney World is lots of fun. There are decorations and all kinds of seasonal activities around town.
Charlotte does not offer Christmas activities.
Orlando is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.
Orlando is one of the most popular family destinations. Known as a theme park capital, here you'll find the iconic Disney World, as well as Universal Studios, SeaWorld and many more. While most people spend their vacation at the Disney or Universal resorts, there is also an endless supply of less mainstream parks and activities in the area.
Charlotte is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.
With fun activities for couples, both Orlando and Charlotte make for a notable place to visit.
Orlando is a nice destination for couples. While most people visit the area with family, there is a niche crowd that enjoys honeymooning or vacationing here as a couple. There are many beautiful restaurants and interesting activities that couples can enjoy together. This is the perfect trip for fun loving couples who don't take themselves to seriously.
Charlotte makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.
For students, both Orlando and Charlotte are notable places to visit.
It's common for students to visit Orlando. Most people don't think about education when they think about Orlando, but there are actually a diversity of internships and opportunities for students to learn in a fun setting.
Charlotte is a good city to visit for students. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Charlotte is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its public transit.
While Charlotte offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.
Public transit is generally limited in Orlando. If you're staying at a Disney Property, there is excellent transportation around the complex, but otherwise, a car is essential.
Charlotte is a popular place for its walkability. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.
Charlotte is somewhat walkable. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.
Orlando is not a walkable city. The city is sprawling, so unless you stay on the Disney grounds, it's best to rent a car.
For even more information, also check out Is Orlando Worth Visiting? and Is Charlotte Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Orlando and Charlotte. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Charlotte than in Orlando. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Orlando, and 1-3 days is enough time in Charlotte.
Families should spend more time in Orlando than Charlotte. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Orlando, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Orlando than Charlotte. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Orlando that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charlotte than Orlando if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Charlotte.
You'll find shopping and theater around the city of Orlando. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
In Charlotte, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Orlando. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
In Charlotte, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Charlotte has to offer.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the entertaining city of Orlando. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Charlotte is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Orlando is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlotte. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Charlotte. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Orlando is $321, while the average daily cost in Charlotte is $191. 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 Orlando and Charlotte in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Orlando or Charlotte? 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Orlando are as follows:
Also for Orlando, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Charlotte, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Charlotte and Orlando 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Orlando:
For Orlando, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Charlotte:
For Orlando, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Orlando.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlotte.
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Orlando:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charlotte:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orlando and Charlotte, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Charlotte much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charlotte would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlotte 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 Orlando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orlando than you might in Charlotte.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Orlando Expensive? and Is Charlotte Expensive?.
Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Orlando. When comparing the sizes of Orlando and Charlotte, 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.
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.
Both Charlotte and Orlando are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Orlando this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Charlotte for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Orlando is generally around the same temperature as Charlotte. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 82°F (28°C), and Charlotte fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. It's quite rainy in Orlando. In July, Orlando usually receives more rain than Charlotte. Orlando gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Charlotte and Orlando during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Orlando for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Charlotte in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Orlando is a little warmer than Charlotte in the autumn. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Charlotte fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Orlando. Orlando usually gets more rain in October than Charlotte. Orlando gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Orlando and Charlotte. Many visitors come to Orlando in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Charlotte for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Orlando is much warmer than Charlotte. Typically, the winter temperatures in Orlando in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Charlotte averages at about 42°F (6°C).
In January, Orlando usually receives less rain than Charlotte. Orlando gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Orlando as well as Charlotte. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the activities around the city.
In April, Orlando is generally a little warmer than Charlotte. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 72°F (22°C), and Charlotte fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
Orlando usually gets less rain in April than Charlotte. Orlando gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Orlando | Charlotte | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 59°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
Feb | 62°F (16°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
Mar | 67°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
Apr | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
May | 77°F (25°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 71°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 6.7 inches (171 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 7.2 inches (183 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
Oct | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Nov | 68°F (20°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |