A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fort-de-France vs. Charleston for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Fort-de-France or Charleston?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fort-de-France and Charleston can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Fort-de-France or Charleston?

Fort-de-France

As the largest city and capital of Martinique, Fort-de-France serves as the main entryway for visitors traveling to the island. It is a busy city with a significant population, which creates an atmosphere bustling with traffic amidst its historic and cultural sights.

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.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Charleston or Fort-de-France?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Fort-de-France Prices
    Martinique Prices
    Charleston Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Fort-de-France $228
    Charleston $212

The average daily cost (per person) in Fort-de-France is $228, while the average daily cost in Charleston is $212. 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 Fort-de-France and Charleston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fort-de-France $92
    Charleston $90
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fort-de-France $184
    Charleston $180
Compare Hotels in Fort-de-France and Charleston

Looking for a hotel in Fort-de-France or Charleston? 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.

Hotels in Fort-de-France


Hotels in Charleston


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: Fort-de-France Hotel Prices and Charleston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fort-de-France $18
    Charleston $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort-de-France

Also for Fort-de-France, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Fort de France to Martinique Airport (FDF) - Departure Transfer: $66
  • Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France - Arrival Transfer: $69
  • Transfer from Fort de France Port to Martinique Airport (FDF): $77
  • Private Transfer Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France Port: $77
  • Private Transfer from Fort de France Port to Fort de France: $77
  • Private Transfer from Fort de France to Fort de France Port: $77

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:

  • Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $268
  • Kiawah/Seabrook Islands to Charleston Airport (CHS) – Departure Private Transfer: $208
  • Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $147
  • Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $134
  • Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $134
  • One Way Airport Transfer Service: $80
  • From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71

Is it cheaper to fly into Fort-de-France or Charleston?

Prices for flights to both Charleston and Fort-de-France 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 day
    Fort-de-France $117
    Charleston $100

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort-de-France

For Fort-de-France, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Food tour in the rainforest and St Pierre - Pile et Face: $104

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
  • Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour: $98
  • Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $100
  • Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings: $110
  • Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
  • Small Group Food Tour – Savor the Flavors: $111
  • Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $111
  • Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $111
  • Historic Downtown Food Tour: $112
  • 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $116

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fort-de-France $36
    Charleston $22

Tours and Activities in Fort-de-France

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fort-de-France.

  • Habitation Clement - entrance ticket: $15
  • Small train tour of a banana farm in Martinique: $22
  • Fort-de-France Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $26
  • Mangrove Guided Tour: $43
  • Karaib Tour: $66
  • Fort-de-France Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour: $71
  • Martinique Shore Excursion - Unmissable Martinique North tour: $75
  • Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
  • Martinique Shore Excursion - Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
  • Scenic Tropical Rainforest & Island Tour: $82
  • Martinique: Coral and Turtle Coves Cruise: $84
  • Half-Day Nature and Panorama Tour in Martinique: $108

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:

  • 1.5-Hour Charleston Harbor Cruise with Live Narration: $42
  • 2 Hours Shem Creek Safari Kayak Tour: $52
  • 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston: $54
  • 2-Hour Tiki Boat Tour in Folly Beach: $75
  • 2hr Private River Cruise with stop at Morris Island: $325
  • 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • 90 Minute Sightseeing Bus Tour of Historic Charleston: $32
  • 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour : $37
  • A Ghost Tour with 10 ORIGINAL Stories AND Equipment!: $35
  • Afternoon Charleston Harbor Boat Cruise: Family Friendly Scenic: $58
  • Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor: $44
  • Beat The Heat! Evening Walking History Tour: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fort-de-France $12
    Charleston $36

Sample the Local Flavors in Fort-de-France

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort-de-France:

  • Small-Group Tour: Unmissable Martinique with Rum Distillery, Ruins, and More: $75
  • North Tour: rainforest, rum distillery, black sand beach etc: $120

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
  • 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
  • 108 Elemental Presents Spirits & Spirits: Pub Crawl w/ Adam Miles: $36


When comparing the travel costs between Fort-de-France and Charleston, we can see that Fort-de-France 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. Even though Fort-de-France is in Caribbean Islands and Charleston is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fort-de-France Expensive? and Is Charleston Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Fort-de-France or Charleston?

Charleston has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Fort-de-France. When comparing the sizes of Fort-de-France and Charleston, 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.