A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Durham vs. Halifax for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Durham or Halifax?

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 Halifax can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a student-filled, sports oriented, and diverse city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Durham travel costs.

Halifax

Halifax is a friendly, cultural, and historical city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Halifax travel costs.

Durham and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Halifax?

Both Halifax and Durham have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Halifax is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its maritime past. Durham is well known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Halifax 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 Halifax?

Durham is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Durham can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Halifax offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is the Food Better in Durham or Halifax? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Durham and Halifax can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Durham area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Halifax. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

Is Durham or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

Both Durham and Halifax are notable when it comes to partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Halifax. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Halifax?

Both Durham and Halifax are notable shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Durham to go shopping. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Halifax. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.

Is Durham or Halifax Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Durham or Halifax.

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.

Halifax is a family-friendly city. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is Durham or Halifax Better for Couples?

Both Durham and Halifax are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Durham is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Halifax is a nice destination for couples. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

Is Durham or Halifax Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Halifax is very good for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Halifax is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Is Durham or Halifax Better for Students?

Durham is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Halifax is not popular with students.

Durham is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Halifax is not popular with students.

Is Durham or Halifax Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Halifax is very good for its public transit. However, Durham is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Halifax has a few public transit options. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

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

Is Durham or Halifax a more walkable city?

Halifax is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

Halifax is a somewhat walkable city. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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 Halifax Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Halifax or Durham?

How long in Durham or Halifax?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Durham and Halifax. In our opinion, Halifax has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Halifax than Durham. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Durham, and 2-3 days is enough time in Halifax.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Halifax 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 Halifax.

One day in Durham or Halifax?

In Durham, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Halifax. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Durham or Halifax?

In Durham, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Durham has to offer.

Halifax 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 Halifax?

Durham is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Halifax. 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 Halifax?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Durham. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Durham. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Halifax. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durham and Halifax, we can see that Durham is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Halifax.

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

Which is Bigger, Durham or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Durham. When comparing the sizes of Durham and Halifax, 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 Halifax?

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 Durham or Halifax in the Summer?

Both Halifax and Durham during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Durham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Halifax for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Durham is a little warmer than Halifax. Typically, the summer temperatures in Durham in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Halifax averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In Halifax, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Durham. In the summer, Durham often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Halifax. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Halifax in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Halifax. Many travelers come to Durham for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Halifax in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Durham is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 61°F (16°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. Durham usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during autumn. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Durham usually receives less rain than Halifax. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Durham or Halifax in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Durham as well as Halifax. Many visitors come to Durham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Halifax for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Halifax can be very cold during winter. Durham can get quite cold in the winter. Durham is much warmer than Halifax in the winter. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

In the winter, Durham often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Halifax. Durham usually gets less rain in January than Halifax. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Halifax in the Spring?

Both Halifax and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

The weather in Halifax can be very cold. In the spring, Durham is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the spring temperatures in Durham in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Halifax averages at about 4°C (39°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during spring. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In April, Durham usually receives less rain than Halifax. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Halifax and Durham