Mid-Range Travel Guide: Charlotte

Accommodation

$80-180 per night

Mid-range chain hotels, boutique inns, private Airbnb apartments in good neighborhoods

Food & Dining

$35-75 per day

Casual dining restaurants, brewery meals, food halls, mix of local eateries and chains

Transportation

$20-50 per day

Mix of public transit and rideshares, occasional rental car for day trips, airport transfers

Activities

$30-80 per day

Paid museum entries, brewery tours, sports events, guided neighborhood tours, entertainment districts

Use the CATS public transportation system instead of rideshares - typically saves 60-70% on daily transport costs

Eat at food trucks and local lunch counters rather than tourist-focused restaurants - usually 40-60% cheaper

Visit museums and attractions on free or discounted days - can save $10-20 per person per attraction

Stay in neighborhoods like NoDa or Plaza Midwood instead of Uptown for accommodation savings of 30-50%

Take advantage of happy hour specials at restaurants and breweries - typically 25-40% off food and drinks

Book accommodation 2-3 months in advance, especially during NASCAR and Panthers seasons, for 20-35% savings

Use grocery stores for breakfast and snacks instead of hotel or convenience store purchases - saves 50-70%

Staying only in Uptown without comparing neighborhood options - can cost 40-80% more than staying 10-15 minutes away

Relying exclusively on rideshares instead of learning the light rail system - typically costs 3-5x more daily

Eating all meals in South End or Uptown tourist areas instead of exploring local neighborhood spots - usually 50-100% markup

Not checking for sports events and conventions when booking - can inflate accommodation costs by 100-300%