Which place is cheaper, Yellowstone National Park or Charleston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Yellowstone National Park, 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.
Charleston is a quaint, historic, and classic coastal town. With stunning beauty, Charleston attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Charleston travel costs.
Yellowstone National Park is a unique, stunning, and breathtaking national park. You'll find world class beauty in Yellowstone National Park as well. Other popular activities here include hiking. See Yellowstone National Park travel costs.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Charleston. Although Charleston and Yellowstone National Park are popular destinations, Charleston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Charleston is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Yellowstone National Park attracts visitors for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Yellowstone National Park is more touristy than Charleston and is known for its iconic geysers, breathtaking waterfalls, world-class hikes, and diverse wildlife. Charleston is famous for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses. It is also well known for The Waterfront Park.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Yellowstone National Park and Charleston. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Charleston is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Yellowstone National Park does not have museums and landmarks.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charleston. This city is famous for its many historic churches and plantations. The plantations are open to visit and will educate you on the city's past, which is heavily involved in slavery. You can also visit Fort Sumter National Monument by boat or take a tour of the USS Yorktown.
Yellowstone National Park does not have museums and landmarks.
Charleston is very popular for its restaurant scene. However, Yellowstone National Park is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.
For foodies, Charleston is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Food lovers will enjoy the city's low country classics. There are many local restaurants in town that serve southern specialties. You can also head a bit out of the town center if you want a waterfront restaurant. Local favorites include she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, cornbread, and fried green tomatoes.
Yellowstone National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. This is a large park and there are a number of dining options available both inside and just outside of the park. Many places are seasonal so your options will be highest during the summer months. Like most national park venues, prices can be high and the quality is variable. It's recommended that you pack your own food and plan to picnic.
Charleston is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Yellowstone National Park is not particularly known for nightlife.
Charleston has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. As a college town, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around town. There's also a lively music scene. Head to the areas near the college for the most affordable and active nightlife. Popular clubs in town include Cure Night Club, Deco Nightclub, and Mynt.
The nightlife scene is quiet in Yellowstone National Park Things quiet down quickly at night and you won't find many places to go in the evening.
Charleston is a popular place for its music scene. However, Yellowstone National Park is not a live music destination.
The music scene in Charleston is active and vibrant. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.
Yellowstone National Park is not a live music destination.
Yellowstone National Park is notable for its resorts. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its luxury resorts.
Yellowstone National Park is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. It is a large national park, and there are several impressive lodges nearby. Reservations are recommended well in advance. Within the park, Old Faithful Inn, Roosevelt Lodge, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel are all nice options.
Charleston has a handful of resorts to choose from. The town has mostly hotels and bed and breakfasts in the downtown area, but nearby Kiawah Island has a number of nice resorts to choose from. Kiawah Island is particularly kid-friendly if you're looking for a family beach vacation. If you have a bit more money to spend and want something more residential, check out nearby Seabrook Island.
Charleston is well known for the beach. However, Yellowstone National Park is not a beach destination.
Charleston is considered a top beach destination. The area has a number of beautiful and fun nearby beaches including Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. Folly Beach is an active and quirky beach area, while Kiawah is more family-friendly. Seabrook is more residential and more expensive.
Yellowstone National Park is not a beach destination.
Charleston is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Yellowstone National Park does not have a historic old town.
Charleston has a world-famous historical area. Charleston's downtown is one of the most charming and well preserved Old Town's in the United States. It's easy to see why it's become a world class destination.
Yellowstone National Park does not have a historic old town.
Yellowstone National Park is an amazing national park to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Charleston is not a hiking destination.
Known for its hiking, Yellowstone National Park draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The park is huge, and there are countless hikes throughout. From short strolls to lengthy endeavors, there really is something for everyone. If you want to see the geysers, some of the best hikes are Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail, the Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop, and the Lone Star Geyser Trail. For waterfalls you can check out Brink of the Lower Falls Trail, the North Rim Trail, and Fairy Falls Trail.
Charleston is not a hiking destination.
Charleston is very popular for its shopping areas. However, Yellowstone National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Charleston is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is famous for its historic market in the center of town. Local goods, foods, and crafts are sold daily here. There are also many clothing and local shops throughout town, particularly along King Street, which has boutiques and high end outlets. Outside of town, stop by Tanger Outlet Mall if you want name brands at a discount price.
Yellowstone National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Yellowstone National Park is an amazing national park to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its scenery and beauty.
You'll find world class beauty in Yellowstone National Park as well. With its spectacular geysers, colorful springs, and unique wildlife, the park really is a beautiful place to visit.
Charleston is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The charming history, beautiful architecture, and historic churches all make this city one of the most beautiful in the southern United States.
Yellowstone National Park is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
Yellowstone National Park is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who enjoy the outdoors and exploring new environments will appreciate a visit to this park. The geysers are fascinating for everyone and the waterfalls are breathtaking. There are ranger shows and other activities that are great for kids as well. Make sure you stop by the Visitor's Centers.
Charleston is a family-friendly coastal town. The city has a number of family-friendly activities like carriage rides and boat rides. There's also an aquarium, a waterfront park, and many kid-friendly museums. The nearby beaches also make it a wonderful place to visit with kids.
Charleston is very popular for couples. Also, Yellowstone National Park is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.
Charleston makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful city is one of the most popular wedding destinations in America. It's a very romantic setting with beautiful hotels and bed and breakfasts that are perfect for couples on their honeymoon or looking for a romantic setting.
Yellowstone National Park is a great coastal town if you're traveling as a couple. This park is a beautiful and romantic destination for couples who enjoy the outdoors. There are world-renowned hikes and breathtaking views. There are also lodges in the area that make for a romantic stay.
Yellowstone National Park is an amazing national park to visit for backpackers. However, Charleston is a mediocre coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.
Yellowstone National Park is a very popular national park to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will appreciate the campgrounds and affordable facilities that are found around the park. Reservations are recommended well in advance, particularly if you're hoping to stay inside the park.
Charleston is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Hotels in the old town tend to be pricey and there isn't the backpacker community that you find in many other destinations. Still, there are a couple of hostels.
Charleston is a popular place for students. However, Yellowstone National Park is not popular with students.
Charleston is popular with students. The city is a college town with a young vibe that is perfect for students. There's a nice university area where you'll find cheaper places to eat and a good nightlife scene.
Yellowstone National Park is not popular with students.
Charleston is a coastal town with a few options for its public transit. However, Yellowstone National Park is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.
Public transit is generally limited in Charleston. While there are some buses, you really must have a car to fully experience the entire area.
Public transit is quite limited in Yellowstone National Park. There is no public transportation service available in the park. There are private tour options available.
Charleston is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Yellowstone National Park is not particularly known for its walkability.
Charleston is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is very walkable, but once you leave the historic heart, it's best to have a car.
Yellowstone National Park is not a very walkable coastal town. This is among the largest national parks and a car is an absolute must if you hope to experience the different landscapes.
For even more information, also check out Is Charleston Worth Visiting? and Is Yellowstone National Park Worth Visiting?.
Both Charleston and Yellowstone National Park have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Charleston has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Charleston than Yellowstone National Park. In general, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Charleston, and 5-7 days is enough time in Yellowstone National Park.
Families should spend more time in Charleston than Yellowstone National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Charleston, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Charleston than Yellowstone National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Charleston that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charleston than Yellowstone National Park if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Charleston.
Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the classic coastal town of Charleston. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
With around the popular national park of Yellowstone National Park, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Charleston. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.
With around the destination of Yellowstone National Park, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.
Charleston is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have five days, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here. It offers something for everyone.
Yellowstone National Park, a popular national park, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this national park. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Charleston is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Yellowstone National Park is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this national park makes for a great vacation. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this national park has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Charleston is $212, while the average daily cost in Yellowstone National Park is $181. 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 Yellowstone National Park in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Charleston or Yellowstone National Park? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
Prices for flights to both Yellowstone National Park 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Yellowstone National Park for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charleston and Yellowstone National Park, we can see that Charleston is more expensive. And not only is Yellowstone National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yellowstone National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yellowstone National Park 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 Yellowstone National Park.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charleston Expensive? and Is Yellowstone National Park Expensive?.