This Hershey travel cost guide will help you plan a realistic budget for your trip while still making the most of your time away. Our Hershey trip cost calculator includes average costs from thousands of previous travelers, covering hotels, meals, attractions, entertainment, and local transportation. Hershey is a playful town known for being the home of the Hershey's milk chocolate bar, and it would be a shame to miss out on anything because you did't plan your budget.
How much does it cost to travel to Hershey?
A typical traveler spends $257 per day on a trip to Hershey. This is the average daily price for a vacation in Hershey based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $105 on meals
- $49 on local transportation
- $227 on hotels
A one-week trip to Hershey for two people costs, on average, $3,598. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from thousands of other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Is Hershey expensive to visit?
In Hershey, budget travelers spend $113 per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $257 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $484 per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Hershey.
Hershey is a terrific town that brings in many travelers, showcasing a range of travel styles and spending choices. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
Hershey can be very expensive if you want it to be, but there are ways to cut down on your costs, like looking for discounts and coupons.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Hershey is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Key Largo or Miami.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Hershey Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Hershey?
The average Hershey trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Hershey travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Hershey cost?
Hershey on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$50
|
$114
|
$217
|
|
Local Transportation1
|
$21
|
$49
|
$93
|
|
Food2
|
$47
|
$105
|
$195
|
|
Entertainment1
|
$23
|
$53
|
$102
|
|
Alcohol2
|
$6-18
|
$14-41
|
$26-78
|
Accommodation Budget in Hershey
The hotel prices in Hershey might surprise you. Some places charge much more for added luxury and amenities, especially during peak season. In the off-season, a room averages $117, but during peak summer season, expect to pay around $218. Prices vary from $79 to $373, but hostels are often cheaper. Booking in advance and traveling during the low season can help save you money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Hershey for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $227. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $114 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Hershey? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Hershey include:
- The Inn at Westwynd Farm starting at $164
- 1825 Inn Bed And Breakfast starting at $209
- Courtyard by Marriott Hershey Chocolate Avenue starting at $199
- Walton Manor Inn Bed & Breakfast starting at $121
- Hampton Inn Harrisburg/Grantville/Hershey starting at $145
When visiting Hershey with your family, look for an apartment or accommodation that offers more space to keep everyone comfortable.
In this town, there are several resorts available. You could discover a place that includes meals, or at least breakfast, with many resorts offering onsite restaurants.
If you travel during the low or shoulder season (and avoid summer), you'll find lower accommodation prices and less tourist crowds.
Transportation Budget in Hershey
Hershey does not have a good public transit system. While there is a bus system, it's very limited and most visitors do not rely on it.
Regrettably, the walkable areas in the town are quite limited. You really need a car to get to the area's attractions.
Public Transit: 
(moderate)
Walkability: (moderate)
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $49 per person, per day, on local transportation in Hershey. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Hershey is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$49
The nearest airport to Hershey, PA is Harrisburg International Airport, about 12 miles to the southwest.
Amtrak's Keystone Service provides frequent rail service to the nearby towns of Middletown (9 miles), Harrisburg (13 miles) and Elizabethtown Amtrak Station (11 miles).
Bus services are provided by Capital Area Transit (CAT) and Lebanon Transit (LT).
By car, U.S. Route 422 (Chocolate Avenue) runs through the center of Hershey, and U.S. Route 322 passes south of the center. The two highways merge at the western end of Hershey, at an interchange with Pennsylvania Route 39.
If you're taking a car, verify that your hotel offers convenient parking.
A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:
- Private transfer from MDT airport to Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Hershey for $150 details
How much does it cost to go to Hershey? 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 Hershey 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 Hershey
Food options are limited and not of the best quality in Hershey. It's better not to spend too much money trying to eat out because there are other activities that are more worth your time. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and many have a very family-friendly atmosphere.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Hershey can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Hershey is $105 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$105
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Hershey is around $105 ($105) per person, with previous travelers spending from $47 to $195. 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 Hershey are as follows:
- Breakfast: $11 to $32
- Lunch: $16 to $42
- Dinner: $32 to $74
- Coffee: $8
- Fast Food or Street Food: $16
It probably does not even need to be said that chocolate is the food of Hershey. The Hershey Company has turned out many famous candies from the original Hershey bar and Kisses to M&Ms, KitKat, Krackel, Reese's, Milk Duds, York, Twizzlers, Good & Plenty, and Whoppers. The list of candy goes on, but the area of downtown Hershey has some great dining options before we get to dessert. Some of the top-rated restaurants on TripAdvisor include places like The Chocolate Avenue Grill and Troeg's Brewing Company for the more casual pub fare and brews, as well as finer dining at Devon Seafood & Steak and comfort food at the Hershey Pantry. There are also a number of pizzerias and sandwich shops for those looking for a quick meal.
When dining out with children, prioritize restaurants with a kids' menu. This can help you save a fair amount of money, as those options are typically less expensive. Some eateries might not showcase kids' meals on their menus, so it's a good idea to check with the waiter.
Many hotels include breakfast in their pricing structure, while some charge additional fees for it. The quality and cost can vary significantly by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you decide whether to allocate more money. It might be worth paying for the delicious hotel buffet, or you could go to a local bakery or cafe that's less expensive.
Opt for a reusable water bottle to avoid buying drinks everywhere. It's beneficial for the earth as well.
While planning your tour, it's essential to know which meals are included. You may find yourself paying for some meals, which can add to your travel budget.
If you want to experience the culture in Hershey, a food tour or cooking class is a great way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Hershey Trolley Food Tour Experience for $119 details
- Rise and Dine Food Tour in Vintage Style Trolley for $119 details
- Hershey Trolley Crawl and Evening Food Tour on a Vintage Trolley for $50 details
Below are some standard food costs in Hershey, gathered from real travelers. These prices should give you a general idea of what you can expect to spend on dining and meals. Keep in mind, though, that your own costs may differ depending on your taste in restaurants, travel habits, and menu choices.
-
Frozen Hot Chocolate
$4.19
-
Plain and Fancy Farm
$46
-
Homemade Apple Butter
$7.98
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Hershey
Travelers flock to Hershey because it is well-known for its family-friendly activities, resorts, romance, and museums and attractions.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Hershey typically cost an average of $53 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.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$53
When you come to Hershey, expect to see chocolate everywhere you go. With street names like Chocolate and Cocoa Ave, and street lights shaped like Hershey's Kisses, one cannot help but have chocolate on the mind. Of course one of the best ways to satisfy these thoughts is to visit Hershey's Chocolate World, where visitors can have an inside tour of the Hershey Company as well as access to a fully stocked factory store. The smells of molten chocolate fill the air as you have a ride through the chocolate-making process, and when you exit into the store you cannot wait to get your hands on some of the goodies.
If you need a bit of air after all the sweet stuff, the Hershey Gardens offers a 23-acre botanical garden and arboretum. First opened by Milton S. Hershey as a rose garden for the community and his wife, the place has since grown to feature perennials, herbs, an ornamental grasses collection, a Japanese garden, coniferous garden, and oak grove, butterfly house, and much more.
Another popular spot unrelated with chocolate is the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum. The museum presents exhibits of vintage vehicles with interactive talks and events for adults and children. The collection features about 100 cars, a whole floor of buses, over 30 motorcycles and motorbikes, plus more in the 20,000+ square feet of storage that the staff will use to rotate exhibits. It is both educational and fun for tourists and car enthusiasts alike.
When it comes to activities, the main attraction of Hershey, Pennsylvania, is without a doubt Hershey Park. The theme park was conceived in the early 1900s by the mind of Milton S. Hershey. Starting with a Merry-Go-Round in 1908, the park's area now covers more than 100 acres with about 70 rides and attractions, plus a zoo and several pools for the summer season. Themed areas include sections like the Pioneer Frontier, Carrousel Circle, Midway American, and the Boardwalk-though the overall theme of Hershey's candy remains ever-present. Height categories for children's riding heights range from smallest to largest with Miniatures, Kisses, Reese's, Hershey's, Twizzlers, and Jolly Ranchers-adding a bit of fun to the stress we all felt on tippy toes as a kid. Hershey characters also frequent the park for great photo ops.
The adjoining zoo of Hershey Park is called Zooamerica and features 11-acres of tree-lined pathways with more than 200 animals from five regions of North America. The park also holds special programs and events that are both fun and educational for all audiences. Some of the animals include bear, elk, reindeer, wolves, reptiles, birds of prey, and mountain lions.
A nice way to explore destinations in Hershey is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. 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:
- Harrisburg's Historic Downtown Smartphone Guided Walking Tour for $10 details
- Harrisburg Scavenger Hunt Adventure for $50 details
- Haunted Hershey Trolley Tour for $59 details
Below are a few common prices for sightseeing and activity entry fees in Hershey, all of which are based on the reports of previous travelers. These figures should give you a rough estimate of what you can expect to pay. Keep in mind, though, your costs will vary depending on the activities you choose and whether you take advantage of free or budget-friendly options.
Nightlife Budget in Hershey
The nightlife in Hershey is fairly quiet and relaxed. Head to downtown Harrisburg for the best nightlife. You'll find some bars and casino's in the area.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $27 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Hershey per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$27
Nightlife is a blast when traveling, but scaling back on drinks can really help stretch your travel budget.
Travel cost data last updated: May 7, 2026
Traveling in Hershey
Often called "Chocolatetown, USA" and "The Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey, Pennsylvania is most known for being home to the famous Hershey's chocolates. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey, and has grown to sell products in over sixty countries worldwide. Before the town was named Hershey, it was called Derry Church and was the hometown of the chocolatier. While there are now manufacturing plants in many locations, Hershey, PA, remains the location that draws the crowds. It is the place where the Hershey Company originated and is home to attractions like Hershey Park, Hershey Gardens, and Hershey's Chocolate World.
Neighborhoods & Around
The intersection of Chocolate and Cocoa Avenues marks the site of Downtown Hershey. With plenty of options for dining, shopping, and entertainment, as well its location adjacent to Hershey Park, the downtown area is a hub for activity. It is home to the Hershey Theatre, the Hershey Story Museum, and plenty of places to stay for out-of-towners. ChocolateTown Square is also located in Downtown Hershey, which features summertime free concerts and entertainment for the community. It is also a beautiful place to bring the family to play or relax on any sunny afternoon.
Related:
Looking for a party hostel in Hawaii or Miami? Traveling alone to LA or New Orleans? Want a budget hostel in NYC?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to be realistic about your travel budget when visiting Hershey. Although some travelers believe they can get by on a shoestring budget, most people aren't comfortable with that type of travel. Consider what you enjoy on vacation and how you've traveled in the past. Do you like staying in resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, or hostels? Are dining out and visiting attractions a priority? Your preferences will affect your overall budget and itinerary.
Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?
Although you may consider yourself a budget traveler, unless you're ready to cut out many creature comforts, you'll likely spend much more than the $113 per day that young budget travelers often get by on.
For backpackers, this tight budget typically involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest eateries or fast food joints, using public transportation, and sticking to free attractions.
Is Your Travel Style Average?
If you're traveling for leisure as a couple or family, you'll likely opt for a mid-range hotel, dine at trendy restaurants, and visit the main museums and attractions that require entry fees. Most guests in Hershey will want to take in the essential attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Remember, most activities come at a cost. Hence, it's realistic to anticipate your daily budget will be about $257 per person, per day.
What Luxury Travel Looks Like
If you're used to premier amenities and elevated service, prepare to spend about $484 per day. Choosing comfortable hotels, dining at award-winning establishments, indulging in extravagant excursions, and relying on taxis or private drivers to explore the town will demand a higher price range.
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.
