Which place is cheaper, Bonaire or Charleston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Charleston or Bonaire?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Bonaire, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Charleston or Bonaire?
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.
Bonaire
An island municipality of the Netherlands, Bonaire resides in the Caribbean, east of Central America and north of Venezuela. It is a part of the ABC Islands together with Aruba and Curaçao, and is best known as a tropical vacation destination with many great dive spots, beaches, lagoons, and wildlife.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
-
Charleston Prices
USA PricesBonaire Prices
Caribbean Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCharleston $212Bonaire $299
The average daily cost (per person) in Charleston is $212, while the average daily cost in Bonaire is $299. 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 Charleston and Bonaire in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCharleston $90Bonaire $155
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCharleston $180Bonaire $310
Compare Hotels in Charleston and Bonaire
Looking for a hotel in Charleston or Bonaire? 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 and Bonaire Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Charleston $33Bonaire $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
- From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $80
- Private Transfer from Charleston City to Charleston Cruise Port: $125
- Private Transfer from Charleston Port to Charleston Airport (CHS): $134
- Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $134
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $134
- Isle of Palms/Sullivans to Charleston AirportCHS Private Transfer: $147
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $147
- Kiawah/Seabrook Islands to Charleston Airport (CHS) – Departure Private Transfer: $208
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $268
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Folly Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $294
- Charleston AirportCHS to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Private Transfer: $294
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonaire
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bonaire:
- Private Transfers between Bonaire airport and any local address : $40
- Private Transfer from Kralendijk Port to Bonaire Airport (BON): $59
- Private Transfer from Kralendijk Cruise Port to Kralendijk city : $59
- Airport Transfer Return Included: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Charleston or Bonaire?
Prices for flights to both Bonaire and Charleston 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 dayCharleston $100Bonaire $101
Typical Food Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
-
Lunch in downtown Charleston for two$21
-
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
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $100
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour: $109
- Charleston Brunch Food Tour: Biscuits, Shrimps, Grits and More: $110
- Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour: $111
- Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $111
- Small Group Food Tour – Savor the Flavors: $111
- Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $111
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bonaire
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bonaire.
- Dinner at Sea: $95
- Discover the Flavors of Bonaire with the Bonaire Snack Food Tour: $130
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Charleston $22Bonaire $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
-
Patriots Point (for 2)$60
Tours and Activities in Charleston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
- Charleston Self-Guided Ghost Tour in 12 Languages: $5.00
- Charleston's Haunted Ghost Tour - Solo Smart Phone Guided Tour: $6.75
- Charleston Historic Downtown Exploration Game and Tour: $7.16
- Charleston Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.78
- Charleston Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Self-Guided "The French Quarter Charleston" Solo Walking Tour: $9.75
- Charleston Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Window into American History: A Self-guided Charleston Audio Tour: $9.99
- Charleston Self Guided Ghost Tour in 12 Languages: $10
- Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $13
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- South Carolina Audio Tour: Charleston Audio Tour Adventure: $15
Tours and Activities in Bonaire
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bonaire are as follows:
- Semi Submarine Boat Experience to Klein Bonaire: $33
- Walking Tours & Private Tours on Bonaire: $36
- 4 Hours Open Air Party Bus Tour with Beach Stop in Caribbean: $39
- Half-Day Bonaire Island Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off: $46
- Bonaire Essentials Island Tour: $49
- Walking Tour with Lunch & Ice Cream: $55
- Yacht tour with local guide & snorkeling activities: $57
- Clearbottom Mangrove Kayak & Snorkel tour: $59
- Highlights of Bonaire & Cultural Experience: $59
- Tour in North and South Bonaire Guided : $63
- Explore North & South Tour: $65
- Small-Group Guided North & South Tour of Bonaire with Pick Up: $65
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCharleston $36Bonaire $33
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
- Charleston’s Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- 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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charleston and Bonaire, we can see that Bonaire is more expensive. And not only is Charleston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Charleston is in North America and Bonaire is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Charleston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charleston 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 Bonaire would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonaire than you might in Charleston.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charleston Expensive? and Is Bonaire Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Charleston or Bonaire?
Charleston has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Bonaire. When comparing the sizes of Charleston and Bonaire, 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.
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.