How much does a one-week (7 days) trip to Charlottesville cost?

A one week trip to Charlottesville costs $1,295 per person on average. This information comes from the actual expenses of travelers and includes accommodation, food, local transportation, sightseeing, and other typical travel costs.

How much does a two-week (14 days) trip to Charlottesville cost?

Two weeks in Charlottesville costs $2,590 per person on average. This information comes from the actual expenses of travelers and includes accommodation, food, local transportation, sightseeing, and other typical travel costs.

How much does a one-month (4 weeks) trip to Charlottesville cost?

One month in Charlottesville costs $5,550 per person on average. This information comes from the actual expenses of travelers and includes accommodation, food, local transportation, sightseeing, and other typical travel costs.

How much do hotels cost in Charlottesville?

The average daily cost per person, per day for Accommodation in Charlottesville is $80

How much does transportation cost in Charlottesville?

The average daily cost per person, per day for Transportation in Charlottesville is $53

How much does food cost in Charlottesville?

The average daily cost per person, per day for Food in Charlottesville is $73

How much do alcoholic beverages cost in Charlottesville?

The average daily cost per person, per day for Alcohol in Charlottesville is $53

Charlottesville Travel Cost - Average Price of a Vacation to Charlottesville: Food & Meal Budget, Daily & Weekly Expenses

Q: How much does it cost to travel to Charlottesville?

$185 is the average daily price for traveling in Charlottesville. The average price of meals in Charlottesville for one day is $73. The average price of local transportation in Charlottesville for one day is $53. The average price of a hotel in Charlottesville for a couple is $161.

Charlottesville is a young university town known for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.

How much does it cost to travel to Charlottesville?

You should plan to spend around $185 per day on your vacation in Charlottesville. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

$73 on meals
$53 on local transportation
$161 on hotels

A one week trip to Charlottesville for two people costs, on average, $2,590. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

Travel Style:
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

$185

One Week Per person

$1,295
2 Weeks Per person

$2,590
One Month Per person

$5,550
One Week For a couple

$2,590
2 Weeks For a couple

$5,180
One Month For a couple

$11,100

This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. .

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Charlottesville cost?

A one week trip to Charlottesville usually costs around $1,295 for one person and $2,590 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Charlottesville on average costs around $2,590 for one person and $5,180 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Charlottesville will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Charlottesville on average costs around $5,550 for one person and $11,100 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Is Charlottesville expensive to visit?

Charlottesville is a smaller university town that attracts a broad range of travelers, encompassing various travel styles, spending practices, and budget options. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.

You may find Charlottesville to be expensive in some places, but there are ways to keep your budget in check, like enjoying the free hiking trails and looking for discounts and coupons.

On average, budget travelers spend $81 per day, mid-range travelers spend $185 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $353 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Charlottesville.

Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Charlottesville is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Reno or Jekyll Island.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Charlottesville Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Charlottesville?

The average Charlottesville trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Charlottesville travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Charlottesville cost?

Charlottesville on a Budget

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Accommodation ¹ For 1 person in double occupancy	$35	$80	$154
Local Transportation ¹	$23	$53	$101
Food ²	$32	$73	$140
Entertainment ¹	$7.66	$18	$33
Alcohol ²	$12-35	$26-79	$51-152

Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget

Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. Many people think they can visit Charlottesville on a tight budget, but most travelers aren't comfortable with a low "shoestring" budget. Think about what you enjoy during your vacations and how you typically travel. Do you prefer resorts, vacation rentals, or hostels? Do you want to visit museums, sights, and participate in activities? Is dining out a priority? These factors will shape both your budget and your itinerary.

What Defines a Budget Traveler?

While you might think you're a budget traveler, without giving up many of your usual comforts, you'll likely need to spend more than the $81 per day that backpackers often spend.

Backpackers often work within this tight budget by staying in hostel dorms, eating fast food or street food, using public transit, and mainly visiting free attractions.

So, are you average?

Couples and families enjoying a vacation will probably want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular dining spots, and explore the key museums and attractions that have entry fees. Tourists visiting Charlottesville generally aim to explore the major attractions, museums, and significant landmarks. Keep in mind that most activities cost money. Thus, it's reasonable to expect your daily budget to be around $185 per person, per day.

Want to Escape the Daily Grind in Style?

If your ideal trip includes every luxury and top-tier service, be ready to budget around $353 per day. A stay at nicer hotels, meals at prestigious restaurants, fancy excursions, and getting around the university town with taxis or private drivers will cost you more. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Private Wine Tours Pickup Maximum 30 Mi - offered by Viator.

Accommodation Budget in Charlottesville

The range of hotel prices in Charlottesville can be pretty surprising. Luxury hotels tend to offer more amenities, but come with higher price tags, especially during peak season. The average off-season room is $170, but during peak summer or fall season the average price can reach $317. From $111 for budget hotels to $524 for luxury, there's something for everyone. Hostels are cheaper, especially dorms. Book early or travel during the off-season to save money.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid in Charlottesville for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $161. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $80 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.

Accommodation¹ Hotel or hostel for one person

$80
Accommodation¹ Typical double-occupancy room

$161

Hotels in Charlottesville

Looking for a hotel in Charlottesville? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

The most affordable highest rated hotels in Charlottesville include:

Boar's Head Resort starting at $273
Oakhurst Inn starting at $169
200 South Street Inn starting at $221
The Draftsman Autograph Collection starting at $240
Residence Inn by Marriott Charlottesville Downtown starting at $281

Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Charlottesville

If you avoid summer or fall and go during the low or shoulder season, you'll find better hotel deals and fewer tourists.

Being a small university town, Charlottesville might not have a lot of hotels available, so it helps to stay flexible with your choices.

The university town's historic old town draws many tourists. While accommodations in this area might be expensive, they often come with a lot of charm and are well-placed for easy access to everything.

Recommended Properties

Transportation Budget in Charlottesville

Charlottesville lacks an efficient public transit system. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Regrettably, the walkable areas in the university town are quite limited. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

Public Transit: (moderate)
Walkability: (moderate)

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

On average, past travelers have spent $53 per person, per day, on local transportation in Charlottesville. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Charlottesville is significantly more than public transportation.
Transportation¹ Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

$53

Transportation Tips

When you're driving, make sure that your hotel has convenient parking, and confirm how much you'll need to pay for it.

A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:

Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO) for $50 details
Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO) for $50 details

Recommended Services

Flights to Charlottesville

How much does it cost to go to Charlottesville? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Charlottesville

The price of renting a car in Charlottesville will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.

Food Budget in Charlottesville

The available food options in Charlottesville are not extensive, and the quality could be better. It's best to limit your spending on meals in favor of more rewarding experiences. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

While restaurant and meal prices in Charlottesville can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Charlottesville is $73 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
Food² Meals for one day

$73

When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Charlottesville is around $73 ($73) per person, with previous travelers spending from $32 to $140. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.

Typical meal prices in Charlottesville are as follows:

Breakfast: $7 to $22
Lunch: $11 to $29
Dinner: $22 to $51
Coffee: $6
Fast Food or Street Food: $11

As far as food goes, some of the more traditional meals in Virginia include dishes like barbeque pork, Brunswick stew, and peanut soup-which was especially popular during colonial times. Desserts like marble cake and shoofly pie come largely from the Pennsylvania Dutch, while fried peaches with vanilla ice cream is considered a more upscale dessert. And, of course, the closer you get to the coast, the more likely you will able to indulge in fresh seafood dishes. In Charlottesville there are a ton of great restaurants offering a variety of cuisines at reasonable prices. With the University of Virginia nearby, the downtown area is a nice little hub to enjoy a meal. Some of the top-rated restaurants on TripAdvisor include places like the Ivy Inn Restaurant, Citizens Burger Bar, Hamiltons'at First and Main, Downtown Grille, Mel's Cafe, Sultan Kebab, Old Mill Room, Public Fish and Oyster, The Local, and Burtons Grill. Michie Tavern is a great place to visit for the history buffs-dating back to 1784 as an inn the place is now a museum and restaurant with some of the best fried chicken around.

Food & Dining Tips

Many hotels include breakfast in their pricing structure, while some charge additional fees for it. The quality and cost can vary significantly by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you decide whether to allocate more money. It might be worth paying for the delicious hotel buffet, or you could go to a local bakery or cafe that's less expensive.

Use a water bottle instead of splurging on drinks everywhere you go. It's a smart choice for the environment, too.

While planning your tour, it's essential to know which meals are included. You may find yourself paying for some meals, which can add to your travel budget.

Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Charlottesville

Tourists are naturally attracted to Charlottesville due to its museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, and hiking.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Charlottesville typically cost an average of $18 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Entertainment¹ Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

$18

The University of Virginia, also known as "Mr. Jefferson's University," is renowned for having one of the most beautiful college campuses on the east coast. The architecture was designed by Jefferson himself, in his signature style of brick structure with grand white columns. Visitors often take a walk along the Lawn to admire the campus and its buildings, especially the iconic Rotunda.

Monticello is another notable sight of Charlottesville, also complete in Jeffersonian architecture. Featured on the U.S. nickel, Monticello encompasses the residence of Thomas Jefferson, the gardens, servant quarters, and Jefferson's grave. Another famous residence is that of James Monroe, called Ash Lawn-Highland, and is open daily.

The Virginia Discovery Museum is also fun place for the family to visit. It located on the Downtown Mall, which in itself is an attraction (more below).

Finally there is the countryside surrounding Charlottesville. Drive just west of the city and you will come across farms, fences, horses, and vineyards reminiscent of the 18th century when Jefferson called this place home. The general area is especially beautiful in the fall when the colors are at their peak. The country west of town, the hills to the south, Skyline Drive, and the Blue Ridge Parkway are all great routes for taking in the autumn scenery. Another recommended route is the Monticello Wine Trail where you can visit wineries and vineyards.

As far as activities go, Charlottesville is a place of history with much in the avenue of historic sight-seeing, but also thriving with the fun and entertainment of a city. Once you've had your fill of Jeffersonian architecture, enjoyed the bustling activity of the Downtown Mall, and have had a chance to roam the rolling countryside beyond city limits, there are a few more opportunities that the city has to offer. You might hop on a hot air balloon through Boars Head Country Club, or ice skate in the chillier season at the Main Street Arena. There are all kinds of dance clubs and societies to get you grooving with social, ballroom, swing, or salsa and there are plenty of festivals held throughout the year, some of which include Charlottesville Dogwood Festival in the spring, The Ash Lawn Opera Festival in the summer, The Virginia Film Festival in late October, and The Jeffersonian Thanksgiving Festival in late November.

A nice way to explore destinations in Charlottesville is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:

Wine and Culinary Delight Private Tour for $233 details
Shenandoah National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour for $17 details
Charlottesville Dark History Ghost Tour for $30 details

Recommended Activities

Nightlife Budget in Charlottesville

For nightlife seekers, Charlottesville has some activities, but it lacks the vibrancy of other more favored destinations. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average person spends about $53 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Charlottesville per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcohol² Drinks for one day

$53

Nightlife Tips

The nightlife is always tempting, but cutting down on drinks is an effective way to manage your travel spending.

While enjoying a night out, remember to stay alert. If you're drinking, you might become an easy target for thieves, so it's best to stay with friends you trust.

Nightlife activities and tasting tours are popular in Charlottesville. A few favorites from other travelers include:

Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour for $233 details
5 Hour Historic Thomas Jefferson Wine Tour for $240 details
Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi for $85 details

Budgeting and Travel Tips for Charlottesville

Prices in the university town rise and crowds swell during the peak summer or fall season. For a more budget-friendly and less crowded experience, consider visiting in the shoulder or low seasons.
Adopting a slower travel pace can lead to significant savings, giving you the chance to appreciate the area's beauty. If your schedule is packed with activities, your expenses can add up quickly. Conversely, slowing down often leads to a more enjoyable experience and less money spent overall.

Budgeting Challenges

Charlottesville offers limited public transit options. Renting a car or having a pre-arranged ride, such as a tour, could be a wise choice. Just remember, this might take a toll on your budget in other areas.
Charlottesville isn't known for its abundance of hostels, so if you're hoping to crash in a budget-friendly dorm, you might need to rethink your strategy. Consider looking for an affordable hotel or an apartment rental instead.

Expert Advice from Local Travelers

We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Charlottesville.

What makes Charlottesville a budget-friendly destination? Or not?

I went to school in Charlottesville and there are plenty of budget-friendly restaurants that cater to the students.

jackson_994

Jul 22 2023

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Traveling in Charlottesville

UVA at Charlottesville, Viginia

Located in central Virginia, Charlottesville is a little university town steeped in history and culture. Home to Thomas Jefferson, much of the town's architecture is heavily influenced by his hand, while the people scene is full of activities, dining, and entertainment. Many visitors are drawn to the area for the University of Virginia, the Historic Downtown Mall, plus many quaint vineyards and farms in the surrounding countryside.

Neighborhoods & Around

The historic downtown Charlottesville is a hub for most leisurely activities in the city. Centered on a brick-paved pedestrian area and surrounded by restored and renovated buildings, the downtown offers a charming little example of a classic town in the American South. The Downtown Mall encompasses this area with more than 120 shops and 30 restaurants housed in historic buildings on and around Main Street. Many of the restaurants offer dining al fresco with views of the busy passersby, beautiful fountains, shady oak trees, and historic streets. The downtown is also a center for shopping with many unique boutiques and storefronts, and had much to offer in entertainment with movies and plays showing regularly at the local theaters.

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Travel Budget for Charlottesville Visit Charlottesville on a Budget or Travel in Style

How much does it cost to travel to Charlottesville?