Durham is a diverse city known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to Durham?
You should plan to spend around $195 per day on your vacation in Durham. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $77 on meals
- $33 on local transportation
- $183 on hotels
A one week trip to Durham for two people costs, on average, $2,730. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
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One Week
Per person
$1,365
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2 Weeks
Per person
$2,730
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One Month
Per person
$5,850
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One Week
For a couple
$2,730
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2 Weeks
For a couple
$5,460
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One Month
For a couple
$11,700
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Durham cost?
A one week trip to Durham usually costs around $1,365 for one person and $2,730 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Durham on average costs around $2,730 for one person and $5,460 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Durham will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Durham on average costs around $5,850 for one person and $11,700 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Durham expensive to visit?
Durham is a small yet captivating city that lures visitors with differing travel styles, spending levels, and budgetary preferences. Affordable hotel choices are available, but luxury hotels also cater to the more affluent clientele, along with mid-range accommodations that are perfect for families and couples.
If you're not cautious, Durham can become costly, but you can save with strategies like eating at less expensive restaurants and looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $84 per day, mid-range travelers spend $195 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $392 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Durham.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Durham is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Columbus or Saint Augustine.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Durham Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Durham?
The average Durham trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Durham travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Durham cost?
Durham on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$40
|
$92
|
$177
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$14
|
$33
|
$63
|
|
Food 2
|
$32
|
$77
|
$163
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$12
|
$26
|
$51
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$8-23
|
$17-51
|
$33-98
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
To manage your travel budget, it's important to set realistic expectations. Many people think they can visit Durham on a cheap budget, but most don't enjoy the limitations of a tight shoestring budget. Consider how you like to travel. Do you enjoy hostels, resorts, hotels, or vacation rentals? Do you want to dine out and explore the major attractions? These decisions will determine your budget and itinerary.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $84 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
If you're a couple or a family traveling for fun, you'll likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular restaurants, and visit the major museums and attractions which have entry fees. Most visitors to Durham will want to visit the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Most activities cost money, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be closer to $195 per person, per day.
The range of hotels and vacation rentals in Durham is impressive. If you're traveling with others, sharing your hotel with a partner, friend, or kids allows you to split the costs and save money. Families will want to find hotels and restaurants that accommodate children. Hilton Durham near Duke University is a solid choice for families, while DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Raleigh-Durham also offers great options. For additional family and couple-friendly hotels, refer to our hotel guide for Durham here.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If you're looking for an all-encompassing vacation filled with luxurious amenities and higher-level service, prepare your budget for around $392 per day. Selecting nicer hotels, savoring meals at award-winning establishments, indulging in lavish adventures, and traveling around the city with taxis or private drivers will call for a luxury budget.
Accommodation Budget in Durham
The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Durham can be very surprising. Some hotels have much higher price tags than others, and in turn offer higher levels of luxury and more amenities. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. The average price for a hotel room in Durham in the off-season is $127, but in the peak fall or spring travel season it will average around $237. In general, you can expect hotel prices in Durham to range from $82 to $388. Hostels are typically much cheaper, especially if you stay in a dorm. Also, note that the average hotel price is not always what travelers will pay (see below). You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too, along with taking advantage of sale prices or special deals.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Durham for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $183. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $92 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Durham? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Durham include:
- JB Duke Hotel starting at $258
- Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club starting at $248
- The Durham Hotel starting at $191
- Morehead Manor Bed and Breakfast starting at $210
- SpringHill Suites Durham Chapel Hill starting at $124
If you plan your trip for the shoulder or low season and avoid fall or spring, you'll enjoy reduced accommodation costs and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Durham
Unfortunately, Durham does not have a reliable public transit network. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.
Unfortunately, a vast majority of the city does not lend itself to walking. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.
Public Transit: 
(moderate)
Walkability: (moderate)
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $33 per person, per day, on local transportation in Durham. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Durham is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$33
If you're driving, make sure your hotel has convenient parking.
How much does it cost to go to Durham? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Durham will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Durham
The dining options in Durham are good, but they don't stand out enough to be one of the main tourist attractions. You can find a few exceptional places in the city worth visiting. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Durham can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Durham is $77 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$77
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Durham is around $77 ($77) per person, with previous travelers spending from $32 to $163. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Durham are as follows:
- Breakfast: $8 to $23
- Lunch: $11 to $31
- Dinner: $23 to $54
- Coffee: $6
- Fast Food or Street Food: $11
Durham has a range of restaurants that serve every style and budget. If you can't find what you're looking for in Durham, you can easily make your way to Chapel Hill and Raleigh as well. International cuisine is quite common in the area. There are excellent Asian, Ethiopian, Greek, and Middle Eastern restaurants. For the most budget friendly options, stay in the university area.
Favorite local restaurants include Cosmic Cantina, Elmo's Diner, Francesca's Dessert Cafe, The Mad Hatter's Bake Shop, Bullock's Barbecue, Nana's, and Foster's.
Numerous hotels provide breakfast as part of your stay, although others may charge you extra for it. The price and quality can vary from hotel to hotel. Being informed ahead of time can assist you in determining if you need to budget extra funds. The hotel buffet might be worth your money, or perhaps a cheaper option at a nearby bakery or cafe would suffice.
Stay hydrated with a water bottle instead of purchasing drinks everywhere. It's also great for the environment.
Be sure to check which meals are part of your tour before you go. You might be responsible for some of your own food costs, which could stretch your budget further.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Durham
Tourists can't resist Durham, especially for its well-known museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and family-friendly activities.
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Durham typically cost an average of $26 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$26
The most famous attraction in Durham is Duke University. This private university has a beautiful campus with Gothic architecture. The most identifiable landmark is the 210 foot tall chapel that stands at the center of campus. While Gothic architecture defines the university's West Campus, the East Campus is 1.5 miles away and has Georgian-style architecture.
Duke is also home to the Duke Lemur Center. The center provides tours by appointment only and you must schedule your tour at least two weeks in advance. Also near campus is the the Nasher Museum of Art.
Another highlight of a trip to Durham is a visit to the Museum of Life and Science. This museum is perfect for adults and kids alike and offers physics displays, space vehicles, farm animals, a butterfly house, and a playground.
There are plenty of activities that you can enjoy while you're in Durham. There are regular cultural events and performances hosted by Duke. The school is also home to the famous men's basketball team. Tickets are almost impossible to come by, but visiting the campus after a victory can be an experience in and of itself. Durham is also home to the Durham Bulls minor-league baseball team. Tickets start at $6.
Also make sure you take a walk through the beautiful Sarah P. Duke Gardens. If you're in town over the weekend you may even see a wedding taking place. For hiking, head to Eno River State Park, which has many trails and several picnic areas.
The Durham Performing Arts Center hosts world-class performances that include award winning broadway shows. If you want to see an independent film, head to the historic Carolina Theatre.
Museums and Attractions:
When people think of Durham, they often think of its famous museums and landmarks. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Durham. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Downtown Durham Historian-Guided Walking Tour for $16 details
- Durham African American History Tour for $16 details
- True Crime Tour for $13 details
Nightlife Budget in Durham
Durham provides a selection of nightlife activities, but it doesn't quite stack up to the lively scenes in other popular areas. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $34 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Durham per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$34
While nightlife is a key part of many trips, scaling back on drinks can help free up some extra cash in your budget.
Nightlife is fun, but be cautious when drinking. Thieves target distracted people, so stay with your group and trust your instincts to keep yourself safe.
Traveling in Durham
Durham, NC
Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.
Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.
Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.
Neighborhoods & Around
Like many southern cities, Durham has made efforts to revitalize its downtown area in recent years. The city has received an economic and cultural boost from the efforts and today the downtown area is thriving. The American Tobacco Historic District has many restaurants and cultural venues. It's adjacent to the Durham Performing Arts Center and the Durahm Bulls Athletic Park. The downtown corridor along West Main St has also been the focus of much redevelopment. The area has opened many bars and art studios. There is shopping and dining in Brightleaf Square and the Bright Leaf Historic District. Ongoing revitalization efforts continue to bring the area to life.
Duke University's campus is another area that attracts tourists. The campus is divided into the West Campus, with Gothic architecture and the famed Duke Chapel, the East Campus has Georgian architecture and a large grass quad, and the central campus, which is where you'll find many student apartments. Just off of East Campus is Ninth Street, which has many restaurants, bars and shops.
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.
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.