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

Should you visit Greenville or Vail?

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

Greenville

Greenville is a welcoming, hospitable, and southern city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Greenville travel costs.

Vail

Vail is a resort-filled, charming, and picturesque ski town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Vail attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the shopping, skiing, and nightlife. See Vail travel costs.

Greenville and Vail: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Nice resorts
  • Good for hiking
  • Popular at Christmas
  • Known for Christmas markets
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere
  • Home to the Vail Ski Resort


Is there more to do in Greenville or Vail?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Vail. Although Greenville and Vail are both popular with visitors, Vail has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Vail is more popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, music, resorts, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Greenville is known for its museums and attractions. Vail is more touristy than Greenville and is known for its world-class skiing, charming mountain town atmosphere, and adventurous outdoor activities. It is also home to The Vail Ski Resort. Greenville is popular for its outdoor spaces and its growing arts scene.

How is Greenville different from Vail?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Greenville or Vail Better for Skiing?

Greenville
Vail

Vail is an unbeatable place for skiing. However, Greenville is not a skiing destination.

Vail is among the world's best ski destinations. This ski town has produced its share of Olympians. Vail is the third largest ski resort in the US and it has 31 lifts and 195 runs. There are five different bowls that offer beautiful views.

Greenville is not a skiing destination.


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

Greenville
Vail

Greenville is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Vail does not have museums and landmarks.

Greenville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Vail does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Greenville
Vail

Vail is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Greenville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Vail is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The town has a diverse sampling of restaurants that include different ethnic options as well as taverns with comfort food. It's easy to find mountain-friendly restaurants where you can refuel during your ski vacation.

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 Vail Better for Nightlife?

Greenville
Vail

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

The nightlife in Vail has something for everybody. Happy Hours start early, and then the partying can go late into the night. There are bars, lounges, breweries and live music that keep the atmosphere light and offer entertainment after your long day on the slopes. Do keep in mind that many places close or dramatically reduce their hours during the off-peak fall and spring months.

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 Greenville or Vail Better for Music?

Greenville
Vail

Vail is very good for its music scene. However, Greenville is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in Vail. You can often find live music at Shakedown Bar, Bridge Street Bar, and the Red Lion.

Greenville is not a live music destination.

Is Greenville or Vail Better for Resorts?

Greenville
Vail

Vail is a great ski town for its luxury resorts. However, Greenville is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Vail. Designed as a resort town, Vail offers great accommodation. Nice resorts include Four Seasons Resort and Residences, the Ritz Carlton Club, and the Grand Hyatt.

Greenville is not a resort destination.

Is Greenville or Vail Better for Hiking?

Greenville
Vail

Vail is a great ski town for hiking. However, Greenville is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Vail for the hiking trails. During the warmer months, this resort town is surrounded by world-class hiking trails. You can enjoy the wildflowers, search for wildlife, or take in the sweeping mountain views. Popular hikes near Vail include Booth Falls, Davos Trail, and Shrine Ridge.

Greenville is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Greenville or Vail?

Greenville
Vail

Vail is a great ski town 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 Vail. The cobblestone streets are lined with boutiques and ski shops that sell everything from evening dresses to outdoor gear. It's easy to pop into the many shops around downtown Vail and find anything you might need.

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 Vail More Beautiful?

Greenville
Vail

Vail is a great ski town for its scenery and beauty. However, Greenville is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Vail attracts visitors from all around. It is a beautiful town that has stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Greenville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Greenville or Vail Better for Families?

Greenville
Vail

Vail is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Greenville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Vail is one of the most popular family destinations. With its world class skiing, rock climbing, ice skating, and ice cream, kids love this ski resort. The resort town has two terrain parks - Golden Peak and Avanti. Avanti is perfect for kids. It has small jumps, wide rails, and kid-friendly amenities. Golden Peak is designed for more advanced athletes. Vail also has nice beginner slopes that are great for kids.

Greenville is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.


Is Greenville or Vail Better for Couples?

Greenville
Vail

Vail is an unbeatable place for couples. However, Greenville is not known for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Vail has plenty to offer. Couples who enjoy skiing and outdoor adventure will appreciate everything that this ski town has to offer. There are nice restaurants, beautiful gardens, and plenty of romantic activities to choose from.

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 Vail Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Greenville
Vail

Vail is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Greenville is not known for backpackers.

Vail is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. This ski town isn't completely closed off to budget travelers as there are a couple of hostels around town.

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 Vail Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Greenville
Vail

Vail is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Greenville is not known for its public transit.

While Vail offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a free bus service through the area.

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


Is Greenville or Vail a more walkable city?

Greenville
Vail

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

Vail is a very easy ski town to get around on foot. The main downtown is pedestrian-only and perfect for popping in shops and restaurants.

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 Vail Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vail or Greenville?

How long in Greenville or Vail?

Both Greenville and Vail have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Vail than in Greenville. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Greenville, and 3-7 days is enough time in Vail.

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

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

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


  • How many days in Greenville or Vail? Ideal Length of Stay
    Greenville 1-2 
    Vail 3-7

One day in Greenville or Vail?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Greenville. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Vail might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the skiing. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Greenville or Vail?

Greenville is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Even though Vail is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the skiing. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.


Five days in Greenville or Vail?

You'll find shopping and museums around the southern destination of Greenville. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Vail, a popular ski town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this ski town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Greenville or Vail?

The welcoming city of Greenville offers museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Vail is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this ski town makes for a great vacation. One of the main draws to the area is the skiing. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this ski town has to offer. 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, Vail 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
    Vail Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Greenville $0.00
    Vail $345

The average daily cost (per person) in Greenville is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Vail is $345. 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 Vail in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Greenville -
    Vail $174
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Greenville $0.00
    Vail $348
Compare Hotels in Greenville and Vail

Looking for a hotel in Greenville or Vail? 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 Vail


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 Vail Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Greenville $158
    Vail $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Greenville

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

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vail

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

  • Private Eagle County Regional / Vail Airport Transfer to Beaver Creek: $299
  • Vail/Beaver Creek/Avon to Eagle County Airport-Departure Transfer: $217
  • Private Departure Transfer to Vail Airport EGE: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Greenville or Vail?

Prices for flights to both Vail 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
    Vail $129
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Greenville $25
    Vail $133

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
  • Greenville Bites and Sights Lunch Tour: $95
  • Greenville City Segway Tour: $75
  • Greenville Craft Cocktail Tour: $120
  • Greenville Haunted Bar Tour: $35
  • 2-Hour Cocktail Tour: $109
  • 2-Hour Dessert Tour: $90
  • Bites and Sights Guided Walking Tour: $95
  • Downtown Helicopter Tour: $110
  • Helicopter Tour of Lake Robinson and Mountains: $275
  • Saturday Morning Breakfast Tour: $90
  • Scenic Helicopter Tour Over Swamp Rabbit Trail: $165

Tours and Activities in Vail

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

  • Bike Tour or Mountain Bike down Vail Mountain: $120
  • Inflatable Kayak Adventure Colorado River: Half Day Guided Tour : $93
  • Private You-Drive Jeep Adventure in Scenic Backcountry: $1,200
  • Save the Mountain Escape Room Adventure: $40
  • Smartphone Driving Tour between Denver & Vail / Breckenridge: $12
  • Stand Up Paddle Board Colorado River Adventure: Guided Half Day : $109

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Greenville -
    Vail $9.79

Sample the Local Flavors in Vail

Also in Vail, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Vail Bar Crawl: $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Greenville and Vail, we can see that Vail 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 Vail would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vail 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 Vail Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Greenville or Vail?

Greenville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vail. When comparing the sizes of Greenville and Vail, 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.