A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Bern vs. Dayton for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit New Bern or Dayton?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Dayton? 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: New Bern or Dayton?

New Bern

New Bern is a town in the coastal region of North Carolina. The town, which has a population of about 30,000, is the county seat of Craven County. It sits at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers close to the North Carolina coast, although there is no coastline in town. The town makes a nice daytrip from Raleigh, which is 112 miles away, and Wilmington, which is 87 miles away. It's also 162 miles from Norfolk, Virginia.

Dayton

Located in southwest Ohio, Dayton is known as the "Gem City." It's the original home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who designed the first airplane. You'll also find the Dayton Aviation Heritage Park here, which is one of the only multi-site National Parks in the United States. The cities climate has four different seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. The winter months are quite cold and you can expect a decent amount of snow in the area. Spring remains cool and there are infrequent showers. This is also the peak time for tornadoes in the area. Summer is hot and humid and can be unpleasant at times, but fall is crisp and refreshing with occasional storms and infrequent tornadoes.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Dayton or New Bern?

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

  • New Bern Prices
    USA Prices
    Dayton Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    New Bern $169
    Dayton $368

The average daily cost (per person) in New Bern is $169, while the average daily cost in Dayton is $368. 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 New Bern and Dayton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    New Bern $76
    Dayton $250
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    New Bern $152
    Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in New Bern and Dayton

Looking for a hotel in New Bern or Dayton? 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 New Bern


Hotels in Dayton


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: New Bern Hotel Prices and Dayton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    New Bern $34
    Dayton $25

Is it cheaper to fly into New Bern or Dayton?

Prices for flights to both Dayton and New Bern 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
    New Bern $70
    Dayton $105

Typical Food Prices in Dayton

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


  • Noodle Company Lunch (for 2)
    $17
  • Indian Food Dinner (for 2)
    $34

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    New Bern $26
    Dayton -

Tours and Activities in Dayton

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

  • Daytona Beach: Paddle Pub Experience: $45
  • Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    New Bern $30
    Dayton -

Sample the Local Flavors in Dayton

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

  • Dive Bar Bus Crawl: $50


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

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


Which is Bigger, New Bern or Dayton?

Dayton has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Dayton, 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 New Bern or Dayton?

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 New Bern or Dayton in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Dayton. Many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, New Bern is generally around the same temperature as Dayton. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 80°F (27°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Bern usually receives more rain than Dayton. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    New Bern 80°F (27°C) 
    Dayton 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit New Bern or Dayton in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Dayton. Many visitors come to New Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

New Bern is a little warmer than Dayton in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Dayton fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

New Bern usually gets more rain in October than Dayton. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    New Bern 65°F (18°C) 
    Dayton 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit New Bern or Dayton in the Winter?

Both Dayton and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Dayton can be very cold. In the winter, New Bern is much warmer than Dayton. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Bern in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Dayton averages at about 30°F (-1°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. In January, New Bern usually receives more rain than Dayton. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    New Bern 44°F (7°C) 
    Dayton 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit New Bern or Dayton in the Spring?

Both Dayton and New Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm.

In April, New Bern is generally a little warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 62°F (16°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

New Bern usually gets less rain in April than Dayton. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    New Bern 62°F (16°C) 
    Dayton 55°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Dayton and New Bern

New Bern Dayton
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 44°F (7°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Feb 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Apr 62°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
May 69°F (21°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 65°F (18°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jun 76°F (25°C) 5 inches (126 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Jul 80°F (27°C) 6.6 inches (169 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Aug 79°F (26°C) 7.6 inches (192 mm) 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 69°F (21°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Oct 65°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm)
Nov 56°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 48°F (9°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3 inches (75 mm)