Which place is cheaper, Charleston or Big Pine Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Big Pine Key or Charleston?
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 Big Pine Key and Charleston. 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: Big Pine Key or Charleston?
Big Pine Key
If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!
Charleston
Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.
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Big Pine Key Prices
USA PricesCharleston Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $174Charleston $212
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $174, while the average daily cost in Charleston is $212. 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 Big Pine Key and Charleston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Charleston $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Charleston $180
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Charleston
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Charleston? 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.
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: Charleston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Charleston $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
- Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $134
- Kiawah/Seabrook Islands to Charleston Airport (CHS) – Departure Private Transfer: $208
- From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $147
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $80
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $134
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $268
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Charleston?
Prices for flights to both Charleston and Big Pine Key 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
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Food Meals for one dayBig Pine Key $72Charleston $100
Typical Food Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
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Lunch in downtown Charleston for two$21
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Breakfast$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $72
- Hands-on Cooking Class in Charleston: $89
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour!: $96
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour: $98
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $100
- Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Small Group Food Tour – Savor the Flavors: $111
- Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $111
- Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $111
- Historic Downtown Food Tour: $112
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Charleston $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
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Patriots Point (for 2)$60
Tours and Activities in Charleston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
- 1.5-Hour Charleston Harbor Cruise with Live Narration: $42
- 2 Hours Shem Creek Safari Kayak Tour: $52
- 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston: $54
- 2-Hour Tiki Boat Tour in Folly Beach: $75
- 2hr Private River Cruise with stop at Morris Island: $325
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- 90 Minute Sightseeing Bus Tour of Historic Charleston: $32
- 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour : $37
- A Ghost Tour with 10 ORIGINAL Stories AND Equipment!: $35
- Afternoon Charleston Harbor Boat Cruise: Family Friendly Scenic: $58
- Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor: $44
- Beat The Heat! Evening Walking History Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Charleston $36
Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
- Charleston Bar Hunt: Charleston Chase Bar Crawl: $13
- Striped Pig Distillery Tour and Tasting: $22
- Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $34
- Women and Wine Tour: $34
- Charleston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl for the Broken-Hearted: $35
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl for the Broken-Hearted: $35
- Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
- 108 Elemental Presents Spirits & Spirits: Pub Crawl w/ Adam Miles: $36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Charleston, we can see that Charleston is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key 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 Charleston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charleston than you might in Big Pine Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Charleston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Charleston?
Charleston has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Charleston, 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 Big Pine Key or Charleston?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Charleston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Charleston. Also, most visitors come to Charleston for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Charleston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Pine Key in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Charleston averages at about 82°F (28°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charleston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the summer, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Charleston. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 293 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Charleston. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in July than Charleston. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Pine Key 84°F (29°C)Charleston 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Charleston in the Autumn?
Both Charleston and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Charleston because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Big Pine Key is generally a little warmer than Charleston. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 80°F (27°C), and Charleston fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Charleston during autumn. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Big Pine Key. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Charleston. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Pine Key 80°F (27°C)Charleston 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Charleston in the Winter?
Both Charleston and Big Pine Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.
Big Pine Key is much warmer than Charleston in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Charleston fluctuates around 47°F (9°C).
It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the winter, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Charleston. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 188 hours of full sun.
Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than Charleston. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Pine Key 70°F (21°C)Charleston 47°F (9°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Charleston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Charleston. Furthermore, many travelers come to Charleston for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Charleston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Pine Key in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Charleston averages at about 64°F (18°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charleston this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Charleston during spring. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Charleston. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Pine Key 77°F (25°C)Charleston 64°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Charleston and Big Pine Key
| Big Pine Key | Charleston | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 51°F (10°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
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.