A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Williamsburg vs. Woodstock for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Williamsburg or Woodstock?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Williamsburg and Woodstock. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Williamsburg or Woodstock?

Williamsburg

In southeast Virginia, Williamsburg is a historic city that was the capital of Virginia during the 1700's. It's now a popular tourist destination in the state because it has managed to recreate its past in a theme park like setting. Perhaps the most famous attraction in the city is "Colonial Williamsburg," an outdoor museum that recreates an 18th century town with working tradesmen and functioning jobs. You can purchase a one day pass to the area for $36 and multiple day passes at a slight discount. Exhibits in the area include observing a court proceeding, seeing the Governor's Palace, and witnessing the impact of the American Revolution on the area.

Woodstock

While this town does lend its name to the 1969 Woodstock Festival, the legendary event was actually held on a dairy farm almost 60 miles away in Bethel, NY. So if you are looking to see the field where it all happened and a museum dedicated to its history, you will need to take a day trip outside of town.

Woodstock, New York, however, does stay true to the spirit of the arts. Since 1903, the place lay home to Byrdcliffe Art Colony, the oldest of its kind in the nation, and even attracted artists of the Hudson River School during the late 1800s. Today, artists from all disciplines-visual, ceramic, music, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, playwriting, and poetry-take up residence at the colony and have works displayed in galleries open in the main part of town.

Tinker Street and Mill Hill Road are lined with a mix of restaurants and shops all teeming with the essence of hippie living, arts, and spirituality. From shops selling Woodstock paraphernalia, incense, and Himalayan products, to yoga studios, vegan restaurants, and local art galleries-the town of Woodstock is one dedicated to keeping the spirit of the Woodstock Festival and the arts alive.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Woodstock or Williamsburg?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Williamsburg is $112, while the average daily cost in Woodstock is $154. 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 Williamsburg and Woodstock in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Williamsburg $66
    Woodstock $81
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Williamsburg $132
    Woodstock $162
Compare Hotels in Williamsburg and Woodstock

Looking for a hotel in Williamsburg or Woodstock? 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 Williamsburg


Hotels in Woodstock


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: Williamsburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Williamsburg $11
    Woodstock $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Williamsburg or Woodstock?

Prices for flights to both Woodstock and Williamsburg 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
    Williamsburg $31
    Woodstock $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Williamsburg

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

  • Taste of Williamsburg Food Tour by Junket: $79
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $84

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Williamsburg $34
    Woodstock $35

Tours and Activities in Williamsburg

Here are a few actual costs in Williamsburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Williamsburg by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Williamsburg West Tour: $15
  • Colonial Self-Guided Walking Tour: $15
  • Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
  • Williamsburg East Ghost Tour: $16
  • Yorktown Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
  • Colonial Christmas Walking Tour: $20
  • The Original Ghost of Williamsburg Candlelight Walking Tour: $20
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Williamsburg by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • The Original Ghosts of Williamsburg Tour: $20
  • Yorktown Hallowed Ground Candlelight Walking Tour: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Williamsburg -
    Woodstock $22

Sample the Local Flavors in Williamsburg

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Williamsburg:

  • Colonial Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $35
  • The Murder Tour and Pub Crawl: $48


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

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


Which is Bigger, Williamsburg or Woodstock?

Williamsburg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Woodstock. When comparing the sizes of Williamsburg and Woodstock, 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 Williamsburg or Woodstock?

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 Williamsburg or Woodstock in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Woodstock. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

In the summer, Williamsburg is around the same temperature as Woodstock. Typically, the summer temperatures in Williamsburg in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Woodstock averages at about 74°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Woodstock this time of the year. In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Williamsburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Woodstock during summer. Williamsburg gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Woodstock receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Williamsburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Woodstock. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Woodstock receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Williamsburg 78°F (26°C) 
    Woodstock 74°F (24°C)

Should I visit Williamsburg or Woodstock in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Williamsburg as well as Woodstock. Many travelers come to Williamsburg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Williamsburg is generally a little warmer than Woodstock. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 61°F (16°C), and Woodstock fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Williamsburg this time of the year. In the autumn, Williamsburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Woodstock. Williamsburg gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Woodstock receives 197 hours of full sun.

Williamsburg usually gets less rain in October than Woodstock. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Woodstock receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Williamsburg 61°F (16°C) 
    Woodstock 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Williamsburg or Woodstock in the Winter?

Both Woodstock and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Williamsburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Woodstock can be very cold during winter. Williamsburg can get quite cold in the winter. Williamsburg is much warmer than Woodstock in the winter. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 38°F (4°C) in January, and Woodstock fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).

Williamsburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Woodstock during winter. Williamsburg gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Woodstock receives 167 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Woodstock. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Woodstock receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Williamsburg 38°F (4°C) 
    Woodstock 25°F (-4°C)

Should I visit Williamsburg or Woodstock in the Spring?

Both Woodstock and Williamsburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Williamsburg for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Williamsburg is a little warmer than Woodstock. Typically, the spring temperatures in Williamsburg in April average around 57°F (14°C), and Woodstock averages at about 49°F (10°C).

In Woodstock, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. In the spring, Williamsburg often gets more sunshine than Woodstock. Williamsburg gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Woodstock receives 227 hours of full sun.

Williamsburg usually gets less rain in April than Woodstock. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Woodstock receives 3.7 inches (95 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Williamsburg 57°F (14°C) 
    Woodstock 49°F (10°C)

Typical Weather for Woodstock and Williamsburg

Williamsburg Woodstock
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 38°F (4°C) 3.6 inches (93 mm) 25°F (-4°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Feb 41°F (5°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 28°F (-2°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
Mar 49°F (9°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm) 38°F (3°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Apr 57°F (14°C) 3 inches (76 mm) 49°F (10°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 4 inches (102 mm) 60°F (16°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 69°F (21°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 4.7 inches (120 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 4.7 inches (120 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Oct 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Nov 52°F (11°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm) 43°F (6°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm)
Dec 43°F (6°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)