Things to do / Travel Guide
Atlanta, Charleston, Savannah, and the coastal areas including the Golden Isles and Hilton Head Island are considered prime tourist destinations, and are thus often appropriately costly. Rural Georgia on the other hand, and the more remote parts of the coast shared by the two states, are in fact quite inexpensive. There are plenty of locales in the region that are great fun and open for tourism, but have yet to be truly discovered; thus the lower costs. These can be cultural locales like Athens, or drop-off points for communing with nature, like Macon.
Accommodation Costs in Georgia and South Carolina
Accommodations for the region as a whole are relatively inexpensive all around. In Atlanta, Charleston, or Savannah, a good room in a middle-of-the-line hotel will cost you somewhere between $80 and $100 a night. Prices are slightly cheaper in Myrtle Beach, and more expensive in Hilton Head or the Golden Isles.
On the high end of the spectrum, a top-of-the-line room on one of these barrier islands of Georgia or South Carolina will start at around $200 a night, as will a room in the center of downtown Atlanta in peak season. A room at a luxury bed and breakfast (B&B) on the coast can cost as much as $300 a night, and the perks include being surrounded by Victorian furnishings, an in-suite Jacuzzi, fantastic service, and a wide spread of breakfast treats and meats in the morning. Of course, without too much trouble you can find a quite decent suite for less than half the price.
As an example of the range of fine options, a two-night package at Beach Bed and Breakfast, with a Jacuzzi, all meals included plus use of all facilities, comes to $1,000. This establishment is on St. Simons Island. In Charleston, you can stay in a suite at the historic and quaint Lodge Alley Inn for under $200 a night. It's a charming mid-sized place; the suite comes with a fireplace in the living room, the staff is courteous, and the location is excellent.
A motel on the highways between Atlanta and the coast can cost as little as $50 a night. The few hostels in the region cost about $15 a night. Camping, for the RV crowd, costs around $20 a night, more or less depending on the comfort and amenity level of the campground.
Dining Costs in Georgia and South Carolina
In the region's major cities - Atlanta, Savannah, and Charleston - as well as on the Golden Isles and Hilton Head - dining options include luxurious restaurants serving eight-course meals, with a sommelier for your every wine whim and decadent desserts. And of course there are other less expensive options too - you'll get what you pay for. And of course, in all these cities and isles, plus in every small town along the interstates, you can find cheaper restaurants. To confirm all doubts: Waffle House IS a chain restaurant. If you're searching for inexpensive but good cuisine at any hour of the day, head for the nearest of these ubiquitous restaurants.
Transportation Costs in Georgia and South Carolina
Gas throughout the region costs about 5%-10% less than the national average, and if you're coming from a big city like New York, Los Angeles, or Boston, it'll seem downright cheap. There's only one toll road in the state of Georgia, and this is the Georgia 400, which goes from Buckhead up to Roswell, one of the suburbs in the north.
Activity and Attraction Costs in Georgia and South Carolina
Tours and other activities often cost less than the national average. For example, Atlanta's Coca Cola Headquarters offers tours for $10-$15, CNN's hour-long tour costs about the same amount, and a guided kayak excursion in the Okefenokee Swamp can cost as little as $50 for three hours.
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