A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Big Pine Key vs. Gatlinburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Gatlinburg?

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 Gatlinburg. 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 Gatlinburg?

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!

Gatlinburg

Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national park.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Gatlinburg, we can see that Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Gatlinburg?

Big Pine Key has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Gatlinburg, 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 Gatlinburg?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Gatlinburg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Gatlinburg. Also, many visitors come to Gatlinburg in the summer for the hiking.

In July, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg during summer. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 294 hours of full sun in the summer.

Gatlinburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Gatlinburg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Gatlinburg. Also, most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Big Pine Key is much warmer than Gatlinburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the autumn, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Gatlinburg. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 213 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in October than Gatlinburg. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Gatlinburg in the Winter?

Both Gatlinburg and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Gatlinburg because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Gatlinburg can be very cold. In the winter, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Gatlinburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Gatlinburg averages at about 40°F (5°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Gatlinburg during winter. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. In January, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Gatlinburg in the Spring?

Both Gatlinburg and Big Pine Key during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Big Pine Key is generally a little warmer than Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In Gatlinburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the spring, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Gatlinburg. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 263 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in April than Gatlinburg. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Gatlinburg and Big Pine Key