Which place is cheaper, Charleston or San Fernando?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Fernando or Charleston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando or Charleston, 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: San Fernando or Charleston?
San Fernando
As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.
Charleston
Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Fernando $153Charleston $170
The average daily cost (per person) in San Fernando is $153, while the average daily cost in Charleston 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 San Fernando and Charleston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Fernando $74Charleston $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Fernando $148Charleston $180
Compare Hotels in San Fernando and Charleston
Looking for a hotel in San Fernando or Charleston? 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: Charleston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Fernando $50Charleston $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
- Charleston Airport to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island -Roundtrip Private Transfer: $208
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $175
- Charleston Airport: One-Way Transfer to Charleston: $153
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Kiawah/Seabrook Islands – Arrival Private Transfer: $118
- Charleston Airport to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island– Arrival Private Transfer: $104
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Folly Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $104
- Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island to Charleston Airport –Departure Private Transfer: $104
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $104
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city – Arrival Private Transfer: $88
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $88
- From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71
- Private Transfer from Charleston Port to Charleston Airport (CHS): $59
Is it cheaper to fly into San Fernando or Charleston?
Prices for flights to both Charleston and San Fernando 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 daySan Fernando $48Charleston $58
Typical Food Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
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Lunch in downtown Charleston for two$21
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Breakfast$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $72
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $88
- Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $93
- Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $95
- Charleston Food Tour: $99
- Historic Downtown Food Tour with Tastings: $99
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $108
- Charleston Farm-to-Table Food Tour and Chef's Challenge: $109
- Charleston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour: $110
- Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Fernando $28Charleston $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
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Patriots Point (for 2)$60
Tours and Activities in Charleston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
- 2 Hours Private Morris Island and River Cruise: $295
- 1.5-Hour Charleston Harbor Cruise with Live Narration: $42
- 2 Hours Shem Creek Safari Kayak Tour: $52
- 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston: $54
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour : $37
- Access Tour to the Cameron House from Outer Banks: $225
- Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor: $56
- An Amazing Guided Ghost Tour: $30
- Behind the Scenes of Shem Creek Shrimp Walking Tour: $25
- Boone Hall Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston: $78
- Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket: $28
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Fernando $22Charleston $36
Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
- Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $20
- Women and Wine Tour: $20
- Charleston Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $27
- Guided Pub Crawl and Haunted History Tour: $30
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
- Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
- Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- Historic District Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $40
- Charleston Brewery District Cruise (Public Tour): $95
- Wadmalaw Island Wine Tasting and Tea Garden Trip: $135
- Half Day Party Bus Brewery Tour of Charleston: $140
When comparing the travel costs between San Fernando and Charleston, we can see that Charleston 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. Even though San Fernando is in Caribbean Islands and Charleston is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Fernando Expensive? and Is Charleston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Fernando or Charleston?
Charleston has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of San Fernando. When comparing the sizes of San Fernando and Charleston, 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 San Fernando or Charleston?
Charleston has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Fernando experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit San Fernando or Charleston in the Summer?
Both Charleston and San Fernando during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.
In the summer, San Fernando is around the same temperature as Charleston. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Fernando in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Charleston averages at about 82°F (28°C).
In Charleston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Fernando. In the summer, San Fernando often gets less sunshine than Charleston. San Fernando gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 293 hours of full sun.
Charleston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually gets more rain in July than Charleston. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Fernando 27°C (81°F)Charleston 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit San Fernando or Charleston in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Fernando and Charleston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round. Also, many travelers come to Charleston for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, San Fernando is generally a little warmer than Charleston. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 27°C (81°F), and Charleston fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Fernando usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charleston during autumn. San Fernando gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Fernando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Charleston. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Fernando 27°C (81°F)Charleston 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit San Fernando or Charleston in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as Charleston. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Charleston in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
San Fernando is much warmer than Charleston in the winter. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Charleston fluctuates around 47°F (9°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In the winter, San Fernando often gets more sunshine than Charleston. San Fernando gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 188 hours of full sun.
San Fernando usually gets less rain in January than Charleston. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Fernando 26°C (78°F)Charleston 47°F (9°C)
Should I visit San Fernando or Charleston in the Spring?
Both Charleston and San Fernando are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Charleston for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, San Fernando is much warmer than Charleston. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Fernando in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Charleston averages at about 64°F (18°C).
It's quite sunny in Charleston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually receives less sunshine than Charleston during spring. San Fernando gets 238 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, San Fernando usually receives less rain than Charleston. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Fernando 27°C (81°F)Charleston 64°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Charleston and San Fernando
| San Fernando | Charleston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 252 mm (9.9 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 225 mm (8.9 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 203 mm (8 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 3.1 inches (78 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.