Which place is cheaper, Charleston or Freeport?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Freeport 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 Freeport 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: Freeport or Charleston?
Freeport
When you picture the Bahamas you likely picture the beaches, resorts and playgrounds of Nassau. Just to the northwest of this tourist paradise is a tropical city founded on industry. Freeport began as mostly swampland and is now the second most populous city in the Bahamas.
This city is less of a tourist attraction - a place where you'll find the true Bahaman culture mixed in with some relaxing spots to help you unwind and get into your island vacation.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
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Freeport Prices
Bahamas PricesCharleston Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFreeport $290Charleston $212
The average daily cost (per person) in Freeport is $290, 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 Freeport and Charleston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFreeport $141Charleston $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFreeport $282Charleston $180
Compare Hotels in Freeport and Charleston
Looking for a hotel in Freeport 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.
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: Freeport Hotel Prices and Charleston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Freeport $59Charleston $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Freeport
Also for Freeport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Roundtrip Airport Transfers Grand Lucayan Resort Freeport: $30
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer Viva Club Fortuna Freeport: $30
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer Between Freeport Airport and Pelican Bay Resort : $30
- Round-trip Airport Transfers to Castaway Resorts, Freeport: $30
- Private Transfer from Freeport Port to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO): $68
- Private Transfer from Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport Port: $68
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Old Bahama Bay - Private Transfer: $78
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport - Arrival Private Transfer: $78
- Old Bahama Bay to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) - Private Transfer: $78
- Freeport to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) Departure Private Transfer: $78
- Luxury SUV Transfer from Airport, cruise port, Celebration Key : $133
- Shared Round Trip Limousine Transfer : $150
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 Freeport or Charleston?
Prices for flights to both Charleston and Freeport 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
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Food Meals for one dayFreeport $110Charleston $100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Around Town/Bahamian Cooking Experience: $175
Typical Food Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
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Lunch in downtown Charleston for two$21
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Freeport $40Charleston $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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10 Dive Package$299
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4 Hr. Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Freeport
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Freeport.
- Tour of Coral Vita and breach brak at Banana bay beach club: $51
- Swim with the Pigs Freeport @Creative Eco Adventures: $72
- Mamma Gal Celeb-Key Shared Tour: $75
- Mamma Gal Native Experience : $80
- Grand Bahama Catamaran Sunset Cruise with Drinks and Snacks: $89
- Rumbo Tour : $90
- Mamma Gal East End Native Experience : $95
- Go Kart Adventure Caves Pirates Beaches: $109
- Bahamas Sea Scooter Snorkeling Adventure: $120
- Clear Kayak Tour: $120
- CocoNutz Cruisers Electric Bicycle Tour: $123
- Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour: $126
Typical Entertainment Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
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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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFreeport $30Charleston $36
Sample the Local Flavors in Freeport
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Freeport:
- Brewery & Taste with Beach & Shop at Largest Market on Freeport 4-hrs : $85
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Freeport and Charleston, we can see that Freeport is more expensive. And not only is Charleston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Freeport is in Caribbean Islands and Charleston is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Charleston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charleston 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 Freeport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Freeport than you might in Charleston.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Freeport Expensive? and Is Charleston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Freeport or Charleston?
Charleston has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Freeport. When comparing the sizes of Freeport 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.