A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Durham and Carmel-by-the-Sea can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a diverse, student-filled, and sports oriented city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Durham travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Durham and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Although Durham and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more sights and attractions for tourists. Carmel-by-the-Sea is very popular for its food, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Durham attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Durham and is known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. It is also well known for Pebble Beach Golf Course. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Durham. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Durham is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Durham. 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Is the Food Better in Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Carmel-by-the-Sea is an experience not to be missed. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

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.

Is Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Durham is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Durham. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a well-known place for the beach. However, Durham is not a beach destination.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Durham is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

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.

Is Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors from all around. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Durham is a city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a well-known place for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

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.

Is Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

Durham is a well-known place for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Durham. 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Is Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Durham and Carmel-by-the-Sea offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Public transit is mostly limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very walkable destination. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

Durham is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Durham Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Durham?

How long in Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Durham and Carmel-by-the-Sea. In our opinion, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Durham. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Durham than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Durham, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Durham. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

One day in Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Durham, there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the sports oriented city of Durham, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Five days in Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the student-filled destination of Durham. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

A week in Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Durham is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durham and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Durham is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Durham would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Durham than you might in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Durham Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Durham and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Durham is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Durham. In July, Durham usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Durham during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Durham in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Durham is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durham in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Durham usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Durham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Durham can be very cold during winter. In January, Durham is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Durham usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Durham or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Durham as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

Durham is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Durham usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Durham