A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Fernando vs. Gatlinburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Fernando or Gatlinburg?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando or Gatlinburg, 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 Gatlinburg?

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.

Gatlinburg

Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national park.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Gatlinburg or San Fernando?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in San Fernando is $153, while the average daily cost in Gatlinburg is $190. 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 Gatlinburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Fernando $74
    Gatlinburg $80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Fernando $148
    Gatlinburg $160
Compare Hotels in San Fernando and Gatlinburg

Looking for a hotel in San Fernando or Gatlinburg? 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 San Fernando


Hotels in Gatlinburg


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: Gatlinburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Fernando $50
    Gatlinburg $35

Is it cheaper to fly into San Fernando or Gatlinburg?

Prices for flights to both Gatlinburg 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    San Fernando $48
    Gatlinburg $85

Typical Food Prices in Gatlinburg

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


  • Chinese Food Dinner (for 2)
    $21

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Fernando $28
    Gatlinburg $24

Typical Entertainment Prices in Gatlinburg

For Gatlinburg, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Horseback Riding Photos
    $22
  • Horseback Riding (for 2)
    $55

Tours and Activities in Gatlinburg

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gatlinburg.

  • 3-Hour Nantahala River Fully Guided Rafting Experience: $65
  • 6-Line Zip at Night Tour: $72
  • 7-Line Zipline Experience in Sevierville: $119
  • Admission Ticket: Brian Hoffman's Remembering Red - A Tribute to Red Skelton: $35
  • Admission Ticket: Patty Waszak Show in Pigeon Forge: $35
  • Appalachian Trail Adventure: $175
  • Beyond The Lens Interactive Museum Admission Ticket: $27
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Cherokee to Asheville) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Blue Ridge Parkway: Audio Driving Tour: $25
  • Douglas Lake View Scenic Helicopter Tour: $41
  • East Tennessee Off Road ATV Guided Experience: $71
  • Extended Douglas Lake Region Tour by Helicopter: $63

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Fernando $22
    Gatlinburg $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Gatlinburg

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Gatlinburg:

  • Famous Moonshine & Wine Tour From Pigeon Forge: $70


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Fernando and Gatlinburg, we can see that Gatlinburg is more expensive. And not only is San Fernando much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Fernando is in Caribbean Islands and Gatlinburg is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to San Fernando would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Fernando 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 Gatlinburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gatlinburg than you might in San Fernando.

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 Gatlinburg Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Fernando or Gatlinburg?

San Fernando has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of San Fernando and Gatlinburg, 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 Gatlinburg?

Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg in the Summer?

Both Gatlinburg and San Fernando are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Gatlinburg because of the hiking.

In July, San Fernando is generally around the same temperature as Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 27°C (81°F), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Gatlinburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually receives less sunshine than Gatlinburg during summer. San Fernando gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 294 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. It's quite rainy in San Fernando. In July, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Gatlinburg. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    San Fernando 27°C (81°F) 
    Gatlinburg 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit San Fernando or Gatlinburg in the Autumn?

Both Gatlinburg and San Fernando during the autumn 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 hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Gatlinburg this time of year.

San Fernando is much warmer than Gatlinburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In Gatlinburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Fernando. In the autumn, San Fernando often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gatlinburg. San Fernando gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 213 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually gets more rain in October than Gatlinburg. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    San Fernando 27°C (81°F) 
    Gatlinburg 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit San Fernando or Gatlinburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Fernando and Gatlinburg. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round. Also, many travelers come to Gatlinburg for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Gatlinburg. In the winter, San Fernando is much warmer than Gatlinburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Fernando in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Gatlinburg averages at about 40°F (5°C).

In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Fernando usually receives more sunshine than Gatlinburg during winter. San Fernando gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.

Gatlinburg receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, San Fernando usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    San Fernando 26°C (78°F) 
    Gatlinburg 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit San Fernando or Gatlinburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as Gatlinburg. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, San Fernando is generally much warmer than Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 27°C (81°F), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In the spring, San Fernando often gets less sunshine than Gatlinburg. San Fernando gets 238 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 263 hours of full sun.

San Fernando usually gets less rain in April than Gatlinburg. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    San Fernando 27°C (81°F) 
    Gatlinburg 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Gatlinburg and San Fernando

San Fernando Gatlinburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (78°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 40°F (5°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 44°F (7°C) 4.7 inches (120 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 51 mm (2 in) 62°F (17°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 70°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 252 mm (9.9 in) 78°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 81°F (27°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 225 mm (8.9 in) 80°F (27°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 203 mm (8 in) 74°F (24°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 199 mm (7.8 in) 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)