Winston-Salem is a welcoming city known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. 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 Winston-Salem?
You should plan to spend around $181 per day on your vacation in Winston-Salem. 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
- $23 on local transportation
- $182 on hotels
A one week trip to Winston-Salem for two people costs, on average, $2,534. 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
$1,267
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2 Weeks
Per person
$2,534
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One Month
Per person
$5,430
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One Week
For a couple
$2,534
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2 Weeks
For a couple
$5,068
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One Month
For a couple
$10,860
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Winston-Salem cost?
A one week trip to Winston-Salem usually costs around $1,267 for one person and $2,534 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Winston-Salem on average costs around $2,534 for one person and $5,068 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 Winston-Salem will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Winston-Salem on average costs around $5,430 for one person and $10,860 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Winston-Salem expensive to visit?
Winston-Salem is a small yet captivating city that lures visitors with differing travel styles, spending levels, and budgetary preferences. 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, Winston-Salem 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 $78 per day, mid-range travelers spend $181 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $355 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Winston-Salem.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Winston-Salem is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Islamorada or Yellowstone National Park.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Winston-Salem Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Winston-Salem?
The average Winston-Salem trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Winston-Salem travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Winston-Salem cost?
Winston-Salem on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$40
|
$91
|
$173
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$10
|
$23
|
$44
|
|
Food 2
|
$31
|
$73
|
$150
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$8.70
|
$20
|
$38
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$5-16
|
$12-36
|
$23-70
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Having realistic expectations for your travel expenses is important. While many assume they can visit Winston-Salem on a tight budget, the truth is that most people don't enjoy traveling that way. Think about what you prioritize on vacation. Do you prefer staying in resorts or hostels? Do you love exploring sights and attractions, or dining out? Your preferences will directly impact your budget and travel plans.
Winston-Salem on a Shoestring Budget?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $78 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Do You Fit the Profile of an Average Traveler?
If you're a couple or a family traveling for fun, you'll likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular restaurants, and visit the major museums and attractions which have entry fees. It's a common desire for visitors to Winston-Salem to experience the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Most activities cost money, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be closer to $181 per person, per day.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If you want a vacation with premium amenities and superior service, brace yourself for a price near $355 daily. Choosing upscale hotels, dining at award-winning eateries, enjoying lavish excursions, and using taxis or private drivers around the city will require a luxury budget. Many luxury travelers also enjoy unique experiences such as Explore Old Salems Ghost Private App Guided Walking Tour - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Winston-Salem
The price of hotels in Winston-Salem can be quite surprising. Higher-end hotels offer more luxury and amenities, but with much higher price tags, especially during peak season. Off-season averages are around $127, while peak summer or winter season averages can reach $237. Prices range from $80 to $366, but hostels are usually cheaper. Traveling during the low season and booking early are good ways to save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Winston-Salem for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $182. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $91 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Winston-Salem? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Winston-Salem include:
- Kimpton Cardinal Hotel starting at $193
- Augustus T Zevely Inn starting at $214
- The Historic Brookstown Inn starting at $151
- Residence Inn by MarriottWinston-Salem Hanes Mall starting at $182
- SpringHill Suites Winston-Salem Hanes Mall starting at $141
If you plan your trip for the shoulder or low season and avoid summer or winter, you'll enjoy reduced accommodation costs and fewer tourists.
The city's unique old town is a major draw for visitors. Hotels here may be more expensive, but they typically offer a lot of character and convenient access to all the attractions.
Transportation Budget in Winston-Salem
Unfortunately, Winston-Salem does not have a reliable public transit network. There are bus routes, but they are limited in their frequency and convenience, making a car essential for most visitors.
Unfortunately, most of the city is not very walkable. The downtown area is the most pedestrian-friendly part of town, but most of the city requires a car.
Public Transit: 
(moderate)
Walkability: (moderate)
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $23 per person, per day, on local transportation in Winston-Salem. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Winston-Salem is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$23
If you're using a car, make sure your hotel has convenient parking available.
How much does it cost to go to Winston-Salem? 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem
The food and cuisine in Winston-Salem is good, but not enough to draw visitors specifically for the restaurants. You'll find a few gems around the city that are worth visiting. North Carolina barbecue is popular around town. The city is also the birthplace of Krispy Kreme donuts and during the holiday season you should sample the local Moravian Cookies.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Winston-Salem can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Winston-Salem is $73 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$73
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Winston-Salem is around $73 ($73) per person, with previous travelers spending from $31 to $150. 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 Winston-Salem are as follows:
- Breakfast: $7 to $22
- Lunch: $11 to $29
- Dinner: $22 to $51
- Coffee: $6
- Fast Food or Street Food: $11
Winston-Salem has some good local eateries that offer everything from traditional southern food to ethnic cuisine. Barbecue, pizza, steakhouses, cafes, and diners are all found throughout the town. There is also a restaurant found within Old Salem. It maintains the area's historic vibe with staff dressed in traditional clothes. Meals include sandwiches, salads, and traditional southern cuisine. Prices are reasonable.
Many hotels include breakfast in their price, while some add it on as an extra charge. The price and quality can vary depending on the hotel. Knowing ahead of time can help you decide if you need to spend even more money. Maybe it's worth your money for the delicious buffet at the hotel. Or, perhaps you should just go to a nearby bakery or cafe that's much cheaper.
Bring a reusable water bottle instead of purchasing drinks all the time. It's also a great way to help the environment.
If you're planning to take a tour, make sure you know which meals are included beforehand. You might be on the hook to pay for some of the food yourself which can add to your budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Winston-Salem
It's no wonder that tourists flock to Winston-Salem, as it is known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and historical sights.
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Winston-Salem typically cost an average of $20 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.
$20
Many people come to Winston-Salem specifically to wander around Old Salem. This is a restored Moravian settlement that dates back to 1766. About 70% of the buildings are original and many now house museums or shops. The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) is also found in Old Salem. This gallery has 18th and early 19th century furniture, ceramics, and textiles on display. It's free to wander around Old Salem on your own, but many of the museums and exhibits require that you purchase a pass.
Bethabara Historic district is the original site where Moravians from Pennsylvania first settled in North Carolina. The sight covers about 195 acres and has a museum, a Moravian church, hiking trails, and birdwatching opportunities.
It's also worth visiting Reynolda Gardens, which is a 4 acre formal garden that is surrounded by forest. The gardens were originally part of the R.J. Reynolds country estate.
Other sights in the city include SciWorks, a kids museum, New Winston Museum, and the Children's Museum of Winston-Salem.
Many people enjoy wandering around both Old Salem and the Historic Bethabara Park. The area's are quite quaint and attractive and you can pass several hours soaking up the historic character. The cobblestone streets, interesting shops, and history museums can make for a pleasant afternoon. It's particularly nice to visit the area during the Christmas season when the town is decorated for the holidays.
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts is located in downtown Winston-Salem. There is usually some performance or production happening at this university. If you happen to be in town in August, the week long National Black Theater Festival takes place with more than 100 performances. If you want to get outside of town, there are several good wineries in the area as well.
A nice way to explore destinations in Winston-Salem 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:
- Carolina History & Haunts Winston-Salem Historical Ghost Tour for $26 details
- Explore Old Salems Ghost Private App Guided Walking Tour for $8 details
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Winston-Salem by Wacky Walks for $10 details
Nightlife Budget in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem provides a selection of nightlife activities, but it doesn't quite stack up to the lively scenes in other popular areas. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $24 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Winston-Salem per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$24
While nightlife is a key part of many trips, scaling back on drinks can help free up some extra cash in your budget.
Be aware of your surrounding and stay safe if you're out at night and drinking. You could become a target for pickpockets or other crimes. Stay in groups and with people you trust.
Traveling in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem is a moderately sized city in Forsyth Country, North Carolina. The city has a population of about 360,000 and is located in the central part of the state in the Piedmont Triad. Winston-Salem goes by several nicknames including the "Twin City", the "City of Arts and Innovation" and "Camel City", a reference to the city's history in the tobacco industry. Like several towns in central North Carolina, the city's economy was also once influenced by the furniture industry, although this sector continues to shrink.
Winston-Salem has a humid subtropical climate with cool or cold winters and hot and humid summers. There are occasional snowstorms as well as ice and sleet during the winter months. Thunderstorms are common during summer evenings.
Neighborhoods & Around
Like many towns in the United States southeast, Winston-Salem's downtown has been the focus of revitalization efforts in recent years. The West End Historic District is between W. Fourth St. and Brookstown Avenue. The area is one of the more pedestrian friendly parts of town with many shops and restaurants. This neighborhood was originally a regional spa resort that catered specifically to wealthy tobacco and textile families. It grew up around the one of the first electric streetcar lines and was known as "Millionaires' Row" because both the Reynolds and Hanes families had homes in the area.
Winston-Salem's Downtown Arts District is along Sixth and Trade Streets. This area has become trendy and now has a large number of working studios, galleries, shops, and restaurants. The neighborhood is just a block from the Benton Convention Center and is a nice place to explore.
Old Salem is a tourist destination in and of itself. There are quaint cobblestone streets, shops, and museums in the area. It's also near Salem College, which has a beautiful campus. Across town, Wake Forest University also offers a beautiful campus that is worth visiting.
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.