A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Greenville vs. Berkeley for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Greenville or Berkeley?

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 Greenville and Berkeley can help you decide which place is right for you.

Greenville

Greenville is a hospitable, southern, and welcoming city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Greenville travel costs.

Berkeley

Berkeley is a diverse, quirky, and progressive city. Berkeley offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Berkeley travel costs.

Greenville and Berkeley: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less popular for students
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable


Is there more to do in Greenville or Berkeley?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Berkeley than Greenville. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Berkeley is more touristy than Greenville and is popular for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques. It is also well known for University of California Botanical Garden. Greenville is famous for its outdoor spaces and its growing arts scene.

How is Greenville different from Berkeley?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Berkeley and Greenville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Greenville or Berkeley?

Greenville
Berkeley

Berkeley is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Greenville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Berkeley specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are a wide range of museums around town, many of which are affiliated with the university. There are natural history museums, art museums, cultural museums, as well as historical and science museums.

Greenville is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Museums focus on art, history, and science. Notable museums in town include the Greenville County Museum of Art, the Upcountry History Museum, and the Sigal Music Museum.


Is the Food Better in Greenville or Berkeley? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Greenville
Berkeley

Berkeley is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Greenville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Berkeley has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a huge diversity of restaurants that range from international to California flavors. There are also eateries that cater to the student population, as well as fine dining and everything in between. You'll also find many farmer's markets, vegan options, and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients.

Greenville offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The food scene is growing and the farm-to-table movement is apparent here, but the city is still often overlooked by foodies in the area.

Is Greenville or Berkeley Better for Nightlife?

Greenville
Berkeley

Berkeley is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Greenville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Berkeley has something for everybody. With its large student population, you'll find no shortage of nightlife activities around town. There are bars and pubs as well as live music venues and plenty of unique experiences.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Greenville. Bars, breweries, and low key clubs are what drive the city's nightlife scene. There are both piano bars and live music venues that often lean towards the local country classics.

Is the Shopping Better in Greenville or Berkeley?

Greenville
Berkeley

Berkeley is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Greenville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Berkeley. Quirky and local is what shopping in Berkeley is all about. There are also plenty of thrift stores and farmer's markets. Head to Fourth Street or Telegraph Avenue for some of the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Greenville is a great destination for shopping. You'll find upscale shopping in the city's downtown and sprawling shopping malls in other neighborhoods. There are plenty of name brand stores where you can pick up the latest style.


Is Greenville or Berkeley More Beautiful?

Greenville
Berkeley

Berkeley is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Greenville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Berkeley offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It has a nice campus and a unique setting that mixes an urban environment with a bayside location.

Greenville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Greenville or Berkeley Better for Families?

Greenville
Berkeley

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Greenville or Berkeley.

Greenville offers lots of family activities. There are many local families in town, so you'll find all kinds of kid-friendly activities to enjoy. Paris Mountain State Park is a popular place where everyone can run around. Falls Park on the Reedy River also has walking trails and is in the city's historic district. There's also a children's theater and plenty of playgrounds around town.

Berkeley is a family-friendly place to visit. There are many outdoor places to explore with kids like Tilden Park or UC Botanical Garden. There are also science museums, nature centers, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Greenville or Berkeley Better for Couples?

Greenville
Berkeley

Berkeley is very good for couples. However, Greenville is not known for romance.

Berkeley is a good city for couples to visit. There's a wonderful mix of cultural activities and outdoor parks that you can explore. There's the Berkeley Rose Garden, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and many charming restaurants.

Greenville is not the best destination for a couple to visit. You can take the free trolley down Main Street and then enjoy a meal at one of the local restaurants.


Is Greenville or Berkeley Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Greenville
Berkeley

Berkeley is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Greenville is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Berkeley. With its eclectic and alternative vibe, backpackers will find their place in this city. There's also a huge student population and a couple of hostels in the area.

Greenville is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. While there are students in the area, there is little else to bring backpackers to town.

Is Greenville or Berkeley Better for Students?

Greenville
Berkeley

Berkeley is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Greenville is not known for students.

Berkeley is very popular with students. University of California, Berkeley is a well reviewed university that attracts a progressive and motivated student population. The city is an expensive, but very rewarding place to study with many activities and opportunities for students.

Greenville is a decent spot for students. Furman University has a pretty campus and is a nice place to visit.

Is Greenville or Berkeley Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Greenville
Berkeley

Berkeley is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. However, Greenville is not known for its public transit.

Visitors in Berkeley can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. It's located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has access to buses and several BART stations.

Public transit is generally limited in Greenville. There are free trolleys that make their way around the downtown neighborhoods.


Is Greenville or Berkeley a more walkable city?

Greenville
Berkeley

Berkeley is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Greenville is not known for its walkability.

Berkeley is a very easy city to get around on foot. Most of Berkeley is very walkable, particularly the parts around the university.

Greenville is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is surprisingly walkable, but like most cities in the area, you need a car to make the most of your visit.

For even more information, also check out Is Greenville Worth Visiting? and Is Berkeley Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Berkeley or Greenville?

How long in Greenville or Berkeley?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Greenville and Berkeley. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Berkeley than in Greenville. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Greenville, and 2-3 days is enough time in Berkeley.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berkeley than Greenville 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 Berkeley.


  • How many days in Greenville or Berkeley? Ideal Length of Stay
    Greenville 1-2 
    Berkeley 2-3

One day in Greenville or Berkeley?

The city of Greenville offers nightlife and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With museums and nightlife around the progressive city of Berkeley, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Greenville or Berkeley?

Greenville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Greenville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Berkeley, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.


Five days in Greenville or Berkeley?

Greenville is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Berkeley, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Greenville or Berkeley?

Greenville is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Berkeley is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Berkeley or Greenville?

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

  • Greenville Prices
    USA Prices
    Berkeley Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Greenville $0.00
    Berkeley $217

The average daily cost (per person) in Greenville is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Berkeley is $217. 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 Greenville and Berkeley in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Greenville -
    Berkeley $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Greenville $0.00
    Berkeley $262
Compare Hotels in Greenville and Berkeley

Looking for a hotel in Greenville or Berkeley? 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 Greenville


Hotels in Berkeley


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: Greenville Hotel Prices and Berkeley Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Greenville $158
    Berkeley $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Greenville

Also for Greenville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Greenville to Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) - Departure Private Transfer: $87
  • Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
  • Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $174

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berkeley

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Berkeley:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Oakland Airport OAK: $97

Is it cheaper to fly into Greenville or Berkeley?

Prices for flights to both Berkeley and Greenville 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
    Greenville $37
    Berkeley $63
Typical Food Prices in Greenville

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Greenville:


  • Marble Slab Creamery (for 2)
    $9.00

Typical Food Prices in Berkeley

Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:


  • Chocolates at Sweet Dreams
    $4.46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Berkeley.

  • Best of North Berkeley Food Tour: $137
  • Black Food Tour - Downtown Oakland: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Greenville $25
    Berkeley $30

Tours and Activities in Greenville

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Greenville.

  • Epic Royalty Themed Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Greenville: $10
  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Greenville SC: $15
  • Greenville Haunted Bar Tour: $35
  • Paranormal Walking Tour by Greenville Ghost Tours: $35
  • Greenville City Segway Tour: $75
  • 2-Hour Dessert Tour: $90
  • Saturday Morning Breakfast Tour: $90
  • Greenville Bites and Sights Lunch Tour: $95
  • Bites and Sights Guided Walking Tour: $95
  • Small-Group Walking Tour in Greenville with Breakfast: $95
  • Just Desserts Tour In Greenville: $95
  • Pedego Electric Bike Tour at Greenville: $105

Tours and Activities in Berkeley

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Berkeley are as follows:

  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Berkeley: $20
  • Classic Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour: $100
  • Experience Create your own jewelry workshop for beginners: $95
  • Historic Houseboat Tour: $65
  • Oakland's Temescal Tastes Tour: $126
  • Redwoods of Marin and Mt. Tamalpais Walking Tour with Local Guide: $59
  • Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket: $15
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Berkeley by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Antioch by Zombie Scavengers: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Greenville -
    Berkeley $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Berkeley

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Berkeley:

  • Guided Wine Tasting at Berkeley Wineries with Local Sommelière : $175
  • Guided Wine Tasting with Local Sommelière: $175


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

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


Which is Bigger, Greenville or Berkeley?

Berkeley has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Greenville. When comparing the sizes of Greenville and Berkeley, 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.