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

Should you visit Big Pine Key or New Bern?

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 New Bern. 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 New Bern?

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!

New Bern

New Bern is a town in the coastal region of North Carolina. The town, which has a population of about 30,000, is the county seat of Craven County. It sits at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers close to the North Carolina coast, although there is no coastline in town. The town makes a nice daytrip from Raleigh, which is 112 miles away, and Wilmington, which is 87 miles away. It's also 162 miles from Norfolk, Virginia.

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.


Which place is cheaper, New Bern 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.

  • Big Pine Key Prices
    USA Prices
    New Bern Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Big Pine Key $174
    New Bern $169

The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $174, while the average daily cost in New Bern is $169. 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 New Bern in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Big Pine Key $64
    New Bern $76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Big Pine Key $128
    New Bern $152
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and New Bern

Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or New Bern? 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.

Hotels in Big Pine Key


Hotels in New Bern


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: New Bern Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Big Pine Key $56
    New Bern $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or New Bern?

Prices for flights to both New Bern 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Big Pine Key $72
    New Bern $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Big Pine Key $42
    New Bern $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Big Pine Key $9.29
    New Bern $30


When comparing the travel costs between Big Pine Key and New Bern, we can see that Big Pine Key is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 New Bern Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or New Bern?

New Bern has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and New Bern, 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 New Bern?

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 New Bern in the Summer?

Both New Bern and Big Pine Key during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as New Bern. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in July than New Bern. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Big Pine Key 84°F (29°C) 
    New Bern 80°F (27°C)

Should I visit Big Pine Key or New Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and New Bern. Also, many visitors come to New Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Big Pine Key is a little warmer than New Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

Big Pine Key gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than New Bern. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Big Pine Key 80°F (27°C) 
    New Bern 65°F (18°C)

Should I visit Big Pine Key or New Bern in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as New Bern. Also, most visitors come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Big Pine Key is much warmer than New Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and New Bern averages at about 44°F (7°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than New Bern. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Big Pine Key 70°F (21°C) 
    New Bern 44°F (7°C)

Should I visit Big Pine Key or New Bern in the Spring?

Both New Bern and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm.

In April, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than New Bern. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Big Pine Key 77°F (25°C) 
    New Bern 62°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for New Bern and Big Pine Key

Big Pine Key New Bern
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 44°F (7°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Feb 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Mar 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm) 62°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
May 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 69°F (21°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Jun 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 76°F (25°C) 5 inches (126 mm)
Jul 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 80°F (27°C) 6.6 inches (169 mm)
Aug 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 79°F (26°C) 7.6 inches (192 mm)
Sep 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm) 75°F (24°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Oct 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 65°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Nov 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 56°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)