Which place is cheaper, Charleston or Havana?
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 Havana or Charleston?
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 Havana and Charleston can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or Charleston?
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
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.
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Havana Prices
Cuba PricesCharleston Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $74Charleston $212
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, 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 Havana and Charleston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $42Charleston $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $84Charleston $180
Compare Hotels in Havana and Charleston
Looking for a hotel in Havana 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: Charleston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19Charleston $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
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
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Folly Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $294
- Charleston AirportCHS to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Private Transfer: $294
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $134
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $80
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $147
- From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71
- Isle of Palms/Sullivans to Charleston AirportCHS Private Transfer: $147
- Kiawah/Seabrook Islands to Charleston Airport (CHS) – Departure Private Transfer: $208
- Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $134
- Private Transfer from Charleston City to Charleston Cruise Port: $125
- Private Transfer from Charleston Port to Charleston Airport (CHS): $134
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Charleston?
Prices for flights to both Charleston and Havana 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 dayHavana $18Charleston $100
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
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
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $100
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour: $109
- Charleston Brunch Food Tour: Biscuits, Shrimps, Grits and More: $110
- Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour: $111
- Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $111
- Small Group Food Tour – Savor the Flavors: $111
- Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $111
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11Charleston $22
Tours and Activities in Havana
Here are a few actual costs in Havana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private: City Tour with Lunch, Rum, and Chocolate: $2,000
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:
- Charleston Self-Guided Ghost Tour in 12 Languages: $5.00
- Charleston's Haunted Ghost Tour - Solo Smart Phone Guided Tour: $6.75
- Charleston Historic Downtown Exploration Game and Tour: $7.16
- Charleston Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.78
- Charleston Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Self-Guided "The French Quarter Charleston" Solo Walking Tour: $9.75
- Charleston Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Window into American History: A Self-guided Charleston Audio Tour: $9.99
- Charleston Self Guided Ghost Tour in 12 Languages: $10
- Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $13
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- South Carolina Audio Tour: Charleston Audio Tour Adventure: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76Charleston $36
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
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
- Charleston’s Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- 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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Charleston, we can see that Charleston is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana 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 Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Charleston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charleston than you might in Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Havana Expensive? and Is Charleston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or Charleston?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the sizes of Havana 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.
When is the best time to visit Havana or Charleston?
Charleston has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Havana or Charleston in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Charleston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Charleston for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Havana is around the same temperature as Charleston in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Charleston fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
Charleston receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Havana usually receives less rain than Charleston. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)Charleston 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Havana or Charleston in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Havana as well as Charleston. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Charleston in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Havana is a little warmer than Charleston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Charleston averages at about 67°F (19°C).
Havana usually gets more rain in October than Charleston. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)Charleston 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Havana or Charleston in the Winter?
Both Charleston and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Charleston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Havana is generally much warmer than Charleston. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Charleston fluctuates around 47°F (9°C).
In January, Havana usually receives less rain than Charleston. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)Charleston 47°F (9°C)
Should I visit Havana or Charleston in the Spring?
Both Charleston and Havana during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Charleston because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
Havana is a little warmer than Charleston in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Charleston fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
Havana usually gets less rain in April than Charleston. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)Charleston 64°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Charleston and Havana
| Havana | Charleston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
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.