Which place is cheaper, Durham or Cumberland Island National Seashore?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Should I visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Durham? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is a pristine, secluded, and undeveloped island. With stunning beauty, Cumberland Island National Seashore attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches and hiking. See Cumberland Island National Seashore travel costs.
Durham is a student-filled, sports oriented, and diverse city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Durham travel costs.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Cumberland Island National Seashore than Durham, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cumberland Island National Seashore is better known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Durham is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping. Cumberland Island National Seashore is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its pristine and undeveloped beaches, miles of hiking trails, and wild horses. Also, Cumberland Island National Seashore is famous for the Dungeness Ruins. Durham is well known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Durham and Cumberland Island National Seashore. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Durham is a great city for its historical sights. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not known for its sights and museums.
Durham offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.
Cumberland Island National Seashore offers a few options for museum-goers. There aren't any museums on the island, but on the mainland there's a visitor center as well as the Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum.
Durham is a popular place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Durham. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.
Most people don't head to Cumberland Island National Seashore for a culinary experience, but it does have restaurants to choose from. There are no restaurants on the island, so you need to pack any food that you might need before you arrive.
Durham is a popular place for nightlife. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not known for nightlife and partying.
If you're looking for night time activities Durham has a few options to choose from. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.
People don't go to Cumberland Island National Seashore for the nightlife. Stargazing is amazing on the island, but you're left to your own devices when it comes to evening entertainment options.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is an amazing island to visit for the beach. However, Durham is not a beach destination.
With world-famous beaches, Cumberland Island National Seashore is a very popular vacation destination. There are 17 miles of pristine beaches along the island. You'll also find wild horses and miles of hiking trails. Swimming is popular, but do take note that there are no lifeguards on the island.
Durham is not a beach destination.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is an amazing island to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Durham is not a hiking destination.
Many people visit Cumberland Island National Seashore specifically for its hiking. You'll find more than 50 miles of hiking trails on the island. They pass through a number of ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, and beaches. Most visitors come for the day and spend most of their time on the Southend of the island. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of hiking trails. Some of the most popular trails are Dungeness Roadways, River Trail, and Nightingale Trail.
Durham is not a hiking destination.
Durham is a popular place for shopping. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not known for its shopping opportunities.
Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Durham. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.
Cumberland Island National Seashore has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There aren't any shops or stores on the island so plan accordingly.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.
With stunning beauty, Cumberland Island National Seashore attracts visitors from all around. The barrier island has 17 miles of pristine beaches. It offers a truly beautiful setting that feels undiscovered and untouched.
Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cumberland Island National Seashore or Durham.
Cumberland Island National Seashore offers lots of family activities. In addition to the hiking trails, coastline, and wildlife, the island also has junior ranger programs and educational experiences for kids.
Durham is a family-friendly place to visit. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is a well-known place for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will appreciate the pristine coastline, beautiful wildlife, and secluded hiking trails. Many people visit the island as a day trip, but it's also possible to stay at one of the island's campgrounds. For a truly romantic experience you could also stay at the Greyfield Inn.
Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers appreciate the secluded and pristine atmosphere. There are miles of hiking trails as well as campgrounds on the island for those who want to stay overnight.
Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.
Durham is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not popular with students.
Durham is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is not popular with students.
Cumberland Island National Seashore and Durham both offer respectable public transit to get you around.
Public transit is mostly limited in Cumberland Island National Seashore. The only way to the island is by ferry. It leaves from the town of St. Marys and advanced reservations are recommended.
Public transit is generally limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is a somewhat walkable island. There are many hikes on the island, but the whole island is 18 miles long, making it difficult to walk in one day. Many visitors spend their time near the campgrounds where there's the highest concentration of hiking trails. This area is known as Sea Camp.
Durham is generally not a very walkable island. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.
For even more information, also check out Is Cumberland Island National Seashore Worth Visiting? and Is Durham Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cumberland Island National Seashore and Durham. In our opinion, Cumberland Island National Seashore has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Cumberland Island National Seashore than Durham. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Couples should spend more time in Cumberland Island National Seashore than Durham. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cumberland Island National Seashore that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cumberland Island National Seashore than Durham 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 Cumberland Island National Seashore.
Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Cumberland Island National Seashore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.
In Durham, you'll find nightlife and food. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Many people visit Durham for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cumberland Island National Seashore. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Durham is a popular place to visit. The sports oriented city of Durham offers shopping and museums. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
Travelers enjoy the when visiting the secluded destination of Cumberland Island National Seashore. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Durham. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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 Cumberland Island National Seashore is $175, while the average daily cost in Durham is $195. 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 Cumberland Island National Seashore and Durham in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Durham? 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.
Prices for flights to both Durham and Cumberland Island National Seashore 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.
When comparing the travel costs between Cumberland Island National Seashore and Durham, we can see that Durham 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 Cumberland Island National Seashore Expensive? and Is Durham Expensive?.
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.
Both Durham and Cumberland Island National Seashore during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cumberland Island National Seashore this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Cumberland Island National Seashore is generally around the same temperature as Durham. Daily temperatures in Cumberland Island National Seashore average around 82°F (28°C), and Durham fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cumberland Island National Seashore. In the summer, Cumberland Island National Seashore often gets more sunshine than Durham. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun.
Durham gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cumberland Island National Seashore. Cumberland Island National Seashore usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Durham. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cumberland Island National Seashore and Durham. Many travelers come to Cumberland Island National Seashore for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Durham in the autumn for the shopping scene.
Cumberland Island National Seashore is a little warmer than Durham in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cumberland Island National Seashore averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Durham fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In Cumberland Island National Seashore, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cumberland Island National Seashore usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Durham during autumn. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Cumberland Island National Seashore usually receives around the same amount of rain as Durham. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Cumberland Island National Seashore as well as Durham. Also, most visitors come to Durham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Durham can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Cumberland Island National Seashore is much warmer than Durham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cumberland Island National Seashore in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Durham averages at about 40°F (5°C).
In the winter, Cumberland Island National Seashore often gets more sunshine than Durham. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun.
Cumberland Island National Seashore usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Durham. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Durham and Cumberland Island National Seashore are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cumberland Island National Seashore for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Cumberland Island National Seashore is generally a little warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Cumberland Island National Seashore average around 68°F (20°C), and Durham fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).
It's quite sunny in Durham. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cumberland Island National Seashore. Cumberland Island National Seashore usually receives more sunshine than Durham during spring. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cumberland Island National Seashore usually receives less rain than Durham. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Cumberland Island National Seashore | Durham | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Feb | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
Mar | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
May | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) |
Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Oct | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Nov | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
Dec | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |