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

Should you visit Marathon or Durham?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marathon or Durham, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marathon

Marathon is a quaint, beautiful, and relaxing island. With stunning beauty, Marathon attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Marathon travel costs.

Durham

Durham is a student-filled, sports oriented, and diverse city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Durham travel costs.

Marathon and Durham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marathon or Durham?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Marathon than Durham, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Marathon is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Durham is more popular for its museums and attractions and shopping. Marathon is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its Loggerhead sea turtles, the Dolphin Research Center, Sombrero Beach, and its many places to scuba dive and snorkel. Also, Marathon is famous for The Dolphin Research Center. Durham is well known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Marathon different from Durham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Marathon or Durham?

Durham is great for its historical sights. However, Marathon does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Durham can be an interesting and educational experience. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

Marathon does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Marathon or Durham? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Marathon and Durham offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Marathon. There are restaurants with waterfront terraces, raw bars, and other seafood eateries where you can enjoy fresh caught fish for a reasonable price.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Durham. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Is Marathon or Durham Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Marathon and Durham.

If you're looking for night time activities Marathon has a few options to choose from. Popular nightlife venues include JJ’s Dog House & Sports Bar, Brass Monkey, and Cabana Club.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Is Marathon or Durham Better for Resorts?

Marathon is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Durham is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Marathon. Popular resorts include Isla Bella Beach Resort and Tranquility Bay Resort.

Durham is not a resort destination.

Is Marathon or Durham Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marathon is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Durham is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Marathon. There are many dive shops around Marathon and the area has dive spots that are great for every level. Some of the best sites are Sombrero Reef, Coffins Patch, and Thunderbolt wreck. There are also many snorkeling trips that head out to Sombrero Reef.

Durham is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marathon or Durham Better for Beaches?

Marathon is a well-known place for the beach. However, Durham is not a beach destination.

Marathon is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Sombrero Beach is a popular spot for picnics, swimming and seeing the Loggerhead Turtles from April through October.

Durham is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marathon or Durham?

Durham is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Marathon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Durham. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Marathon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Marathon or Durham More Beautiful?

Marathon is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Marathon attracts visitors from all around. The waters are blue and the setting is peaceful, making this area truly beautiful.

Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Marathon or Durham Better for Families?

Marathon is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Marathon is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy getting face-to-face with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center. Families can also explore Pigeon Key or play in the water at Sombrero Beach. Families will find no shortage of activities on the island.

Durham is a family-friendly island. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Is Marathon or Durham Better for Couples?

Marathon is a well-known place for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Marathon is a very popular place to visit for couples. With beautiful views, 7 Mile Bridge, and plenty of activities, this area makes a romantic destination for couples. There are beaches and waterfront spots that offer a romantic setting for couples.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Is Marathon or Durham Better for Students?

Durham is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Marathon is not popular with students.

Durham is a great city to visit as a student. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Marathon is not popular with students.

Is Marathon or Durham Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Durham is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Marathon is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Marathon. There's no real public transportation in town. A car is essential.

Is Marathon or Durham a more walkable city?

Marathon and Durham are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Marathon is generally not a very walkable island. Shops and restaurants and spread out along a central road, making walking difficult to impossible.

Durham is generally not very walkable. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Marathon Worth Visiting? and Is Durham Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Durham or Marathon?

How long in Marathon or Durham?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Marathon and Durham. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Marathon than in Durham. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Marathon, and 1-3 days is enough time in Durham.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durham than Marathon 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 Durham.

One day in Marathon or Durham?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Marathon. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in Marathon or Durham?

Marathon is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Durham 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 Durham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marathon or Durham?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marathon. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Durham 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.

A week in Marathon or Durham?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the quaint destination of Marathon. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Durham 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

When comparing the travel costs between Marathon and Durham, we can see that Marathon 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. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Marathon or Durham?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Marathon. When comparing the sizes of Marathon and Durham, 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 Marathon or Durham?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Marathon or Durham in the Summer?

Both Durham and Marathon during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Marathon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Durham because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Marathon is generally a little warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 84°F (29°C), and Durham fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marathon. In the summer, Marathon often gets more sunshine than Durham. Marathon gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun.

Durham gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Marathon usually gets less rain in July than Durham. Marathon gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marathon or Durham in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marathon and Durham. The autumn months attract visitors to Marathon because of the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Durham this time of year.

Marathon is much warmer than Durham in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marathon averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Durham fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In Marathon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marathon usually receives more sunshine than Durham during autumn. Marathon gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Marathon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Marathon usually receives more rain than Durham. Marathon gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marathon or Durham in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Marathon as well as Durham. The cuisine are the main draw to Marathon this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Durham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Durham. In the winter, Marathon is much warmer than Durham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marathon in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Durham averages at about 40°F (5°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marathon this time of the year. In the winter, Marathon often gets more sunshine than Durham. Marathon gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun.

Marathon usually gets less rain in January than Durham. Marathon gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marathon or Durham in the Spring?

Both Durham and Marathon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Marathon for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Marathon is generally much warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 77°F (25°C), and Durham fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Durham. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marathon. Marathon usually receives more sunshine than Durham during spring. Marathon gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marathon usually receives less rain than Durham. Marathon gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Durham and Marathon