Which place is cheaper, North Conway or Raleigh?
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 Raleigh or North Conway?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Raleigh 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: Raleigh or North Conway?
Raleigh
Raleigh is the capital city of the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of about 450,000 and is home to many colleges and university including North Carolina State University, Shaw University, Saint Augustine's College, Meredith College and Peace University. The city has a wide range of museums, restaurants, theaters, and parks. There's also an extensive greenway system that is great for biking or running.
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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.
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Raleigh Prices
USA PricesNorth Conway Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRaleigh $231North Conway $270
The average daily cost (per person) in Raleigh is $231, 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 Raleigh and North Conway in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRaleigh $104North Conway $125
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRaleigh $208North Conway $250
Compare Hotels in Raleigh and North Conway
Looking for a hotel in Raleigh 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: Raleigh Hotel Prices and North Conway Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Raleigh $37North Conway $52
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
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 Raleigh or North Conway?
Prices for flights to both North Conway 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
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Food Meals for one dayRaleigh $99North Conway $110
Typical Food Prices in Raleigh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Raleigh:
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Raleigh $37North Conway $38
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 North Conway
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for North Conway.
- Kancamagus highway GPS Smartphone Audio Driving Tour App : $9.50
- Kancamagus Scenic Byway Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour Guide: $15
- 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 dayRaleigh $27North Conway $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Raleigh and North Conway, we can see that North Conway is more expensive. And not only is Raleigh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Raleigh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Raleigh 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 Raleigh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Raleigh Expensive? and Is North Conway Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Raleigh or North Conway?
Raleigh has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh 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 Raleigh or North Conway?
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 North Conway in the Summer?
Both North Conway and Raleigh during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Raleigh is generally a little warmer than North Conway. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 79°F (26°C), and North Conway fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).
In North Conway, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Raleigh. In the summer, Raleigh often gets less sunshine than North Conway. Raleigh gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while North Conway receives 282 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually gets more rain in July than North Conway. Raleigh gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRaleigh 79°F (26°C)North Conway 69°F (20°C)
Should I visit Raleigh or North Conway in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Raleigh and North Conway. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year.
Raleigh is much warmer than North Conway in the autumn. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and North Conway fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).
In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. Raleigh usually receives more sunshine than North Conway during autumn. Raleigh gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while North Conway receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Raleigh usually receives less rain than North Conway. Raleigh gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRaleigh 61°F (16°C)North Conway 49°F (9°C)
Should I visit Raleigh or North Conway in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Raleigh as well as North Conway. Many travelers come to Raleigh for the museums and the cuisine.
North Conway can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Raleigh. In the winter, Raleigh is much warmer than North Conway. Typically, the winter temperatures in Raleigh in January average around 40°F (5°C), and North Conway averages at about 21°F (-6°C).
In the winter, Raleigh often gets around the same amount of sunshine as North Conway. Raleigh gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while North Conway receives 163 hours of full sun.
Raleigh usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as North Conway. Raleigh gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRaleigh 40°F (5°C)North Conway 21°F (-6°C)
Should I visit Raleigh or North Conway in the Spring?
Both North Conway and Raleigh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Raleigh in the spring for the activities around the city.
In April, Raleigh is generally much warmer than North Conway. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 60°F (16°C), and North Conway fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).
It's quite sunny in North Conway. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually receives more sunshine than North Conway during spring. Raleigh gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while North Conway receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Raleigh usually receives less rain than North Conway. Raleigh gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRaleigh 60°F (16°C)North Conway 43°F (6°C)
Typical Weather for North Conway and Raleigh
| Raleigh | North Conway | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 21°F (-6°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 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.