A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Raleigh vs. Hope for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Raleigh or Hope?

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

Should I visit Raleigh or Hope? 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.

Raleigh

Raleigh is a student-friendly, suburban-style, and friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums. See Raleigh travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a local, small, and friendly town. Other popular activities here include hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Raleigh and Hope: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Raleigh or Hope?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Raleigh than Hope, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Raleigh is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Hope is more popular for its hiking and shopping. Hope is more touristy than Raleigh and is popular for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo." Raleigh is well known for its many museums and being the home to North Carolina State University. Also, Raleigh is famous for North Carolina State University.

How is Raleigh different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Raleigh or Hope?

Raleigh
Hope

Raleigh is very good for its historical sights. However, Hope is not known for its sights and museums.

Raleigh is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. As the state capital, there are a number of free museums in the area. There are also some kid-friendly options and other activities that are affiliated with the colleges and universities. Popular options include the NC Museum of Natural Sciences (free), the NC Museum of History (free), the NC Museum of Art (free), and Marbles Kids Museum.

Hope offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.


Is the Food Better in Raleigh or Hope? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Raleigh
Hope

Raleigh is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Raleigh. In addition to the standard chain restaurants, you'll find a number of local eateries with great southern dishes. Try some southern classics like barbecue, pimento cheese, and fried chicken and waffles. There are also good international options including Nepalese, Laotian, and Ethiopian flavors.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Raleigh or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Raleigh
Hope

Raleigh is very good for nightlife. However, Hope is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Raleigh has a few options to choose from. Head to downtown Raleigh or the areas around NC State University for some of the best nightlife. Trivia nights and happy hours are popular and you'll find breweries popping up in many places.

Most people don't head to Hope specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Raleigh or Hope Better for Hiking?

Raleigh
Hope

Hope is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Raleigh is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Hope. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Raleigh is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Raleigh or Hope?

Raleigh
Hope

Hope is a town with a few options for its shopping areas. However, Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Hope has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Raleigh or Hope Better for Families?

Raleigh
Hope

Hope is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Hope is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

Raleigh offers lots of family activities. For such a small city, Raleigh has a number of unique kid-friendly activities like the popular Pullen Park and Marbles Kids' Museum. Pullen Park has small rides and a playground that are perfect for young kids. There's also the NC Museum of Natural History which is free and fun to explore with kids.

Is Raleigh or Hope Better for Couples?

Raleigh
Hope

Hope is well known for couples. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for romance.

Couples visit Hope frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

Raleigh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. While it's often overlooked by couples who want a weekend away, there are a number of museums and some nice restaurants to explore.


Is Raleigh or Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Raleigh
Hope

Hope is well known for backpackers. However, Raleigh is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Hope is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

Raleigh is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Raleigh or Hope Better for Students?

Raleigh
Hope

Raleigh is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Hope is not popular with students.

Raleigh is very popular with students. The city has a diverse student population with many nearby universities and colleges.

Hope is not popular with students.

Is Raleigh or Hope Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Raleigh
Hope

Neither Raleigh or Hope offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Raleigh. The city's public transportation options are limited to a few bus lines that are mostly used by students.

Public transit is quite limited in Hope. There is no public transit in town.


Is Raleigh or Hope a more walkable city?

Raleigh
Hope

Raleigh and Hope both are respectable when exploring on foot.

Raleigh is generally not very walkable. The city is somewhat walkable in the downtown area, but everywhere else you'll need a car.

Hope is generally not a very walkable city. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.

For even more information, also check out Is Raleigh Worth Visiting? and Is Hope Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hope or Raleigh?

How long in Raleigh or Hope?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Raleigh and Hope. In our opinion, Hope has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Hope than Raleigh. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hope than Raleigh 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 Hope.


  • How many days in Raleigh or Hope? Ideal Length of Stay
    Raleigh 2-3 
    Hope 2-3

One day in Raleigh or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Raleigh. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Hope, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Raleigh or Hope?

Raleigh 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.

In Hope, you'll find . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hope has to offer.


Five days in Raleigh or Hope?

You'll find food and museums around the student-friendly destination of Raleigh. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hope is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Raleigh or Hope?

The suburban-style city of Raleigh 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hope. Many people enjoy the when visiting Hope. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Hope or Raleigh?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Raleigh is $231, while the average daily cost in Hope is $47. 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 Raleigh and Hope in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Raleigh $104
    Hope $8.89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Raleigh $208
    Hope $18
Compare Hotels in Raleigh and Hope

Looking for a hotel in Raleigh or Hope? 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 Raleigh


Hotels in Hope


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: Raleigh Hotel Prices and Hope Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Raleigh $37
    Hope -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Raleigh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Raleigh:

  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $277
  • Raleigh to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $139
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh Arrival Private Transfer: $139
  • Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $134

Is it cheaper to fly into Raleigh or Hope?

Prices for flights to both Hope and Raleigh 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
    Raleigh $99
    Hope $38
Typical Food Prices in Raleigh

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Raleigh:


  • The Pit Authentic BBQ (for 3)
    $84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Raleigh

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Raleigh.

  • Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Craft Beer Bar in Raleigh: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Raleigh $37
    Hope -

Tours and Activities in Raleigh

Here are a few actual costs in Raleigh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Carolina Hurricanes Ice Hockey Game Ticket at Lenovo Center: $50
  • Chapel Hill Historic Churches History and Architecture Tour: $18
  • Chapel Hill LGBT History Tour: $19
  • Chapel Hill True Crime Walking Tour: $19
  • Create Your Own Lipstick or Lip Gloss Class Experience in Raleigh: $65
  • Downtown Cary Historian-Guided Tour: $19
  • Durham African-American Historic Walking Tour: $18
  • Durham True Crime Tour: $19
  • Guided Walking Historian Tour in Downtown Durham: $19
  • Historic Oakwood: History & Architecture Tour: $19
  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Chapel Hill NC: $15
  • Private Pedicab Tour of Downtown Raleigh: $65

Tours and Activities in Hope

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

  • From Vancouver: 2-Day Kelowna Wine, Lake, and Farm Tour: $296
  • From Vancouver: 3-Day Tour to Manning Park, Nelson & Osoyoos: $379

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Raleigh $27
    Hope $10


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

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


Which is Bigger, Raleigh or Hope?

Raleigh has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh and Hope, 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 Raleigh or Hope?

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 Raleigh or Hope in the Summer?

Both Hope and Raleigh during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hope for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Raleigh is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the summer temperatures in Raleigh in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Hope averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually gets more rain in July than Hope. Raleigh gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Raleigh 79°F (26°C) 
    Hope 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Raleigh or Hope in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Raleigh and Hope. Many travelers come to Raleigh for the city's sights and attractions. Furthermore, many visitors come to Hope in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Raleigh is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 61°F (16°C), and Hope fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Raleigh usually receives less rain than Hope. Raleigh gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Raleigh 61°F (16°C) 
    Hope 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Raleigh or Hope in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Raleigh as well as Hope. Many visitors come to Raleigh in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Hope for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hope can be very cold during winter. Raleigh can get quite cold in the winter. Raleigh is much warmer than Hope in the winter. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Raleigh usually gets less rain in January than Hope. Raleigh gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Raleigh 40°F (5°C) 
    Hope 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Raleigh or Hope in the Spring?

Both Hope and Raleigh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Raleigh for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Raleigh is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the spring temperatures in Raleigh in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Hope averages at about 9°C (49°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hope. In April, Raleigh usually receives less rain than Hope. Raleigh gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Raleigh 60°F (16°C) 
    Hope 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Hope and Raleigh

Raleigh Hope
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 3°C (37°F) 201 mm (7.9 in)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 5°C (41°F) 164 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 7°C (44°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Apr 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 9°C (49°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 12°C (54°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 15°C (60°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 15°C (59°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 10°C (51°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Nov 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 6°C (43°F) 222 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 3°C (37°F) 217 mm (8.5 in)