Is Charleston Expensive?

Is Charleston expensive to visit?

Charleston is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $212. Compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in North America for its travel costs, comparable to places like Boone and Columbia River Gorge.

A Plantation Estate near Charleston, South Carolina

How expensive is Charleston?

On average, visitors spend about $212 per day when visiting Charleston (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $424 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 Charleston here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Charleston?

A weekend trip to Charleston costs about $636 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 $1,271.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Charleston?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Charleston costs around $1,483 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $2,967.

Is it expensive to backpack in Charleston?

While Charleston 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 Charleston is $35 per night. The cheapest beds cost about $35 and the most expensive rooms cost around $35. (See hostel prices in Charleston here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Charleston.

• $35 for a dorm bed at Charlestons NotSo Hostel
  more details

Are hotels expensive in Charleston?

From our analysis of hotel prices in Charleston, 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 $180. The area hosts around five-star hotels, averaging $443 per night. For those with an eye on both comfort and economy, three-star hotels present a reasonable choice at an average of $227 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical option at $202 per night.

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Charleston?

Activities and things to do in Charleston 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 $22 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $56.

• Semi-private SMALL group Historic Walking Tours w/certified guide: $35
• Folly Dolphin Adventure (Private or Public) to 12 guests: $52
• Private Charleston Dolphin and Eco Boat Tour: $295
• Charleston Nightmares and Nightcaps Ghost Walking Tour: $37
• Private Charleston Hidden Alleys and Pathways Walking Tour: $145
• Charleston Harbor Sunset Cruise Scenic Views and Dolphin Spotting: $58
• Revolutionary Charleston Walks - History Walking Tour: $36
• 1670 Tours: Private Walking Tours of Charleston, SC: $125

Is food expensive in Charleston?

Food in Charleston can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $100 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $97. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

• Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class: $250
• Hands-on Cooking Class in Charleston: $99
• Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings: $111
• Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
• Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour: $110
• Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $100

Is transportation expensive in Charleston?

Exploring local transportation in Charleston shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $33 per person per day, which is less 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 Charleston

If you're planning a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, 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.