New Bern is a charming town known for being the birthplace of Pepsi. 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 New Bern?
You should plan to spend around $169 per day on your vacation in New Bern. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $70 on meals
- $34 on local transportation
- $151 on hotels
A one week trip to New Bern for two people costs, on average, $2,366. 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.
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One Week
Per person
$1,183
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2 Weeks
Per person
$2,366
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One Month
Per person
$5,070
-
One Week
For a couple
$2,366
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$4,732
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One Month
For a couple
$10,140
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to New Bern cost?
A one week trip to New Bern usually costs around $1,183 for one person and $2,366 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to New Bern on average costs around $2,366 for one person and $4,732 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 New Bern will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to New Bern on average costs around $5,070 for one person and $10,140 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is New Bern expensive to visit?
New Bern is a smaller destination that invites a diverse group of visitors, each with unique travel styles, spending behaviors, and budget levels. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
If you're not cautious, New Bern can become costly, but you can save with strategies like eating at less expensive restaurants and looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $74 per day, mid-range travelers spend $169 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $324 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to New Bern.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, New Bern is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Everglades National Park or Wisconsin Dells.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is New Bern Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to New Bern?
The average New Bern trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these New Bern travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to New Bern cost?
New Bern on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$33
|
$76
|
$145
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$15
|
$34
|
$64
|
|
Food 2
|
$31
|
$70
|
$135
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$11
|
$26
|
$50
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$7-20
|
$15-45
|
$29-86
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to be realistic about your travel budget when visiting New Bern. Although some travelers believe they can get by on a shoestring budget, most people aren't comfortable with that type of travel. Consider what you enjoy on vacation and how you've traveled in the past. Do you like staying in resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, or hostels? Are dining out and visiting attractions a priority? Your preferences will affect your overall budget and itinerary.
What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?
Although you may consider yourself a budget traveler, unless you're ready to cut out many creature comforts, you'll likely spend much more than the $74 per day that young budget travelers often get by on.
For backpackers, this tight budget typically involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest eateries or fast food joints, using public transportation, and sticking to free attractions.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
If you're traveling for leisure as a couple or family, you'll likely opt for a mid-range hotel, dine at trendy restaurants, and visit the main museums and attractions that require entry fees. When visiting New Bern, most people will want to check out the major attractions, museums, and iconic landmarks. Remember, most activities come at a cost. Hence, it's realistic to anticipate your daily budget will be about $169 per person, per day.
What Luxury Travel Looks Like
If you're looking for a complete getaway that features every luxury and a high level of service, plan on a cost of about $324 daily. To enjoy nicer hotels, dine at award-winning venues, indulge in extravagant experiences, and travel around the town with taxis or private drivers, you'll need to set aside a luxury budget.
Accommodation Budget in New Bern
The cost of hotels in New Bern can be surprisingly wide-ranging. Some hotels charge a lot more because they offer extra luxury and amenities. Prices are also much higher during peak season. Off-season rooms average $194, but the demand in peak summer season pushes that average to around $362. Budget hotels range from $149 to $573, and hostels provide a cheaper option, especially in dorms. Booking early, traveling off-season, or finding special deals can help save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in New Bern for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $151. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $76 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in New Bern? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in New Bern include:
- The Captain's Stay starting at $142
- Meadows Inn starting at $140
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott New Bern starting at $240
- Hampton Inn New Bern starting at $173
Visiting in the low or shoulder season, rather than summer, will allow you to find cheaper accommodation and fewer tourists.
Since New Bern is a smaller town, the hotel selection can be limited, so be prepared to be flexible.
Transportation Budget in New Bern
New Bern does not has a good public transit system. There's no real public transit in the area.
In some areas, New Bern is relatively walkable, allowing you to enjoy the sights with ease. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore on foot.
Public Transit: 
(poor)
Walkability: (good)
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $34 per person, per day, on local transportation in New Bern. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in New Bern is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$34
Make sure your hotel provides easy parking options if you're driving.
How much does it cost to go to New Bern? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in New Bern 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 New Bern
Cuisine in New Bern is good, but it's not well known enough to draw in tourists for the restaurant scene. Still, there are a handful of excellent dining spots in the town to discover. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in New Bern can vary significantly, the average cost of food in New Bern is $70 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$70
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in New Bern is around $70 ($70) per person, with previous travelers spending from $31 to $135. 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 New Bern are as follows:
- Breakfast: $7 to $21
- Lunch: $11 to $28
- Dinner: $21 to $49
- Coffee: $6
- Fast Food or Street Food: $11
For such a small town, New Bern has several excellent restaurants. Many cater to the tourist crowd but the food is good and the prices are reasonable. Seafood and southern favorites are available around town. 247 Craven has received the Sun Journal Reader's Choice Awards 1st place for the best chef and gourmet dining experience in town. They offer unique dishes that use local and seasonal ingredients. Baker's Kitchen is a nice option for brunch. Other popular restaurants include Captain Ratty's Seafood Restaurants and Steakhouse, The Chelsea Restaurant, Christoph's on the Water, MJ's Raw Bar & Grill, Morgan's Tavern & Grill, Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant, and Ribeyes Steakhouse.
A lot of hotels include breakfast in their price, but some may add it as an extra charge. The price and quality can differ from one hotel to the next. Being aware of this ahead of time can help you figure out if you'll need to shell out more money. The hotel buffet could be delicious, or you might opt for a more affordable treat at a nearby bakery or cafe.
Opt for a reusable water bottle to avoid buying drinks everywhere. It's beneficial for the earth as well.
Before embarking on a tour, ensure you know which meals are included. You might have to pay for some food yourself, and that can add to your travel expenses.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in New Bern
It's clear why New Bern attracts visitors, considering its museums and attractions, food, and romance.
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in New Bern typically cost an average of $26 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.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$26
New Bern is a quaint town to explore. It is also the birth place of Pepsi Cola and today there is a small cafe and gift shop dedicated to the company. You can order a drink (Pepsi of course), and learn about the original ingredients. Don't expect to sample the original soda as they long ago stop producing it.
Perhaps the most popular attraction in town is Tryon Palace. It's a reproduction of Governor Tryon's mansion and it is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The original palace burned down at the end of the 18th century and the building that you see today was rebuilt during the 1950's using state funds. There is an admission price but the tour guides are very helpful and the site is worth a visit.
Most people spend their time exploring New Bern on foot. There are many pleasant bed and breakfasts around town where you can stay. There are also many shops and excellent restaurants. Antique shops, outdoor recreational stores, and typical souvenir stores are all available. There are also some interesting coastal hiking trails just outside of town.
Nightlife Budget in New Bern
Expect a more chill and quiet nightlife in New Bern. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $30 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in New Bern per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$30
While nightlife is a key part of many trips, scaling back on drinks can help free up some extra cash in your budget.
Traveling in New Bern
New Bern, NC
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.
New Bern is a historic community that dates back to 1710 when it was originally founded by Swiss and German explorers. It served as the colony capital, as designated by Royal Governor William Tryon. Today, the Tryon Palace, which served as the governor's 18th century residence, has been restored and is surrounded by a beautiful 13 acre garden.
New Bern was a significant port and trading center during the 1800's. Today it is a quaint and historic community that is pleasant to explore. There are shops, restaurants, and several nice bed and breakfasts in the area.
Neighborhoods & Around
New Bern is a historic town with four historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town's downtown area is quaint and pedestrian friendly. There are many well preserved buildings including homes, shops, and churches that date back to the early 18th century. It's also possible to walk to the waterfront.
The town has many beautiful bed and breakfasts, hotels, and restaurants. If you're interested in shopping, there are antique stores and specialty shops throughout town. There are also many small gardens sprinkled throughout the downtown.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.