Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea expensive to visit?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is known as both a well-liked and very budget-friendly destination. With a daily average travel cost of $, it's generally not considered to be expensive at all. When compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a very affordable destination. It ranks in the top 10% of cities in North America for its affordability. Its prices are comparable with places such as other cities in the country.



17-mile drive, Carmel by the Sea, California

How expensive is Carmel-by-the-Sea?

On average, visitors spend about $ per day when visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $ per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Carmel-by-the-Sea here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Carmel-by-the-Sea?

A weekend trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea costs about $ per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea costs around $ on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $.

Is it expensive to backpack in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

While Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts a few backpackers, traveling on a budget can be challenging because there are only a few hostels around town. The average cost of a hostel in Carmel-by-the-Sea is $60 per night. The cheapest beds cost about $60 and the most expensive rooms cost around $60. (See hostel prices in Carmel-by-the-Sea here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

  • $60 for a dorm bed at Monterey Hostel

Are hotels expensive in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

From our analysis of hotel prices in Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that they are moderate and on par in comparison to the rest of the world. On average, a night in a hotel room costs approximately $359. The area hosts around [5_STAR_COUNT] five-star hotels, averaging [5_STAR_PRICE] per night. For those with an eye on both comfort and economy, three-star hotels present a reasonable choice at an average of $339 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical option at $237 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
4 stars 6 $650
3 stars 19 $339
2 stars 11 $237

Mission St and 7th, Carmel By the Sea
Overall Rating 8.9
24815 Carpenter Street, Carmel By the Sea
Overall Rating 8.9

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Activities and things to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $0 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $55.

  • Sunset Sailing Cruise in Monterey Bay: $95
  • Carmel Tour in The Heavenly 17 Mile Drive: $30
  • Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1: $20
  • Big Sur's Old Coast Road eBike Tour: $250
  • Guided 2-Hour Walking Tour in Carmel by the Sea: $40
  • Carmel-by-the-Sea 2.5-3 Hour Electric Bike Tour: $79
  • Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Electric Bike Tour, 3 hour: $59
  • Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour: $45

Is food expensive in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Food in Carmel-by-the-Sea can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $264 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $96. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

  • Thai Cooking Class in Monterey: $111
  • Old Monterey Walking Food Tour: $164

Is transportation expensive in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Exploring local transportation in Carmel-by-the-Sea shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $125 per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $46. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.

More for Carmel-by-the-Sea

If you're planning a trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, check out these other informative travel guides.



We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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