Which place is cheaper, North Conway or Nags Head?
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 Nags Head or North Conway?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nags Head or North Conway? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Nags Head or North Conway?
Nags Head
Nags Head is a popular tourist destination in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The town, with a population of almost 3,000, has many nice beaches and is also where you'll find Jockey's Ridge, which has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It's also the most visited park within the North Carolina park system.
North Conway
North Conway is a small town in New Hampshire in the Mount Washington Valley (MWV). The entire valley is a popular vacation area year-round due to the multiple ski resorts and summer activities including amusement parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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Nags Head Prices
USA PricesNorth Conway Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNags Head $179North Conway $270
The average daily cost (per person) in Nags Head is $179, while the average daily cost in North Conway is $270. 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 Nags Head and North Conway in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNags Head $80North Conway $125
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNags Head $160North Conway $250
Compare Hotels in Nags Head and North Conway
Looking for a hotel in Nags Head or North Conway? 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: Nags Head Hotel Prices and North Conway Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nags Head $40North Conway $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in North Conway
Also for North Conway, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $200
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $100
- Pittsburgh City to Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) - Departure Private Transfer: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Nags Head or North Conway?
Prices for flights to both North Conway and Nags Head 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 dayNags Head $71North Conway $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nags Head $14North Conway $38
Tours and Activities in Nags Head
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.
- 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $65
- Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59
- Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
- Nags Head Kayak Tour: $55
- OBX Ghost Tours- The Original Ghost Tour of the Outer Banks: $25
- OBX Ghost Tours: Lighthouse Wraiths & Dune Shadows: $26
- Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Outer Banks: $17
- Stand Up Paddleboard Adventure on the Outer Banks : $65
- Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
Tours and Activities in North Conway
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for North Conway.
- Kancamagus Scenic Byway Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour Guide: $15
- Kancamagus highway GPS Smartphone Audio Driving Tour App : $9.50
- Meet the Cider Makers with Rhythm Cidery Lincoln Tour: $40
- Meet the Winemakers - Seven Birches Winery Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNags Head $12North Conway $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Nags Head
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nags Head:
- Wine Tasting And Boat Ride: $109
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nags Head and North Conway, we can see that North Conway is more expensive. And not only is Nags Head much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nags Head would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nags Head 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 North Conway would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in North Conway than you might in Nags Head.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nags Head Expensive? and Is North Conway Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nags Head or North Conway?
Nags Head has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head and North Conway, 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 Nags Head or North Conway?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Nags Head or North Conway in the Summer?
Both North Conway and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Nags Head because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Nags Head is a little warmer than North Conway. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nags Head in July average around 78°F (26°C), and North Conway averages at about 69°F (20°C).
It's quite sunny in North Conway. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as North Conway during summer. Nags Head gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while North Conway receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Nags Head. In July, Nags Head usually receives more rain than North Conway. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNags Head 78°F (26°C)North Conway 69°F (20°C)
Should I visit Nags Head or North Conway in the Autumn?
Both North Conway and Nags Head during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Nags Head is generally much warmer than North Conway. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 62°F (16°C), and North Conway fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).
It's quite sunny in Nags Head. In the autumn, Nags Head often gets around the same amount of sunshine as North Conway. Nags Head gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while North Conway receives 196 hours of full sun.
Nags Head usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as North Conway. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNags Head 62°F (16°C)North Conway 49°F (9°C)
Should I visit Nags Head or North Conway in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and North Conway. Many travelers come to Nags Head for the cuisine.
North Conway can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nags Head. Nags Head is much warmer than North Conway in the winter. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 41°F (5°C) in January, and North Conway fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).
Nags Head usually receives less sunshine than North Conway during winter. Nags Head gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while North Conway receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.
Nags Head gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nags Head usually receives more rain than North Conway. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNags Head 41°F (5°C)North Conway 21°F (-6°C)
Should I visit Nags Head or North Conway in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as North Conway.
In the spring, Nags Head is much warmer than North Conway. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nags Head in April average around 59°F (15°C), and North Conway averages at about 43°F (6°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in North Conway. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nags Head this time of the year. In the spring, Nags Head often gets more sunshine than North Conway. Nags Head gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while North Conway receives 212 hours of full sun.
Nags Head usually gets less rain in April than North Conway. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNags Head 59°F (15°C)North Conway 43°F (6°C)
Typical Weather for North Conway and Nags Head
| Nags Head | North Conway | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 21°F (-6°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Mar | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Apr | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Aug | 78°F (25°C) | 5 inches (127 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Oct | 62°F (16°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Dec | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.1 inches (103 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.