Chapel Hill travel guide

Chapel Hill Tourism | Chapel Hill Guide

You're Going to Love Chapel Hill

With a population of 57.233, Chapel Hill is a must-see destination in North Carolina, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Chapel Hill deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Chapel Hill

If you’re looking for affordable options, 411 West (411 W. Franklin St.) and Crossroads Chapel Hill (211 Pittsboro St) are great picks.

When to visit Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill in January
Estimated hotel price
$143
1 night at 3-star hotel
Chapel Hill in January
Estimated hotel price
$143
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Chapel Hill

Plane

Although Chapel Hill doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU), which is located 24 km from Chapel Hill. Raleigh-Durham Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, Delta, WestJet and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Chapel Hill departs from Fort Lauderdale and takes around 2h 05m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Chapel Hill. The train journey from Chapel Hill to Charlotte takes 2h 43m and costs around $28 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Alexandria, expect to pay about $42 for a 5h 56m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Chapel Hill is to pick up a car rental from Charlotte, which is about 179 km from Chapel Hill. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Dollar, among others, in Charlotte.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Chapel Hill, including CoachRun, Greyhound and Tornado Bus. From Charlotte, the bus ride to Chapel Hill takes 241 km and will cost you around $36. From Richmond, the ticket costs about $69 for a journey of 290 km.

Plane

Although Chapel Hill doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU), which is located 24 km from Chapel Hill. Raleigh-Durham Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, Delta, WestJet and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Chapel Hill departs from Fort Lauderdale and takes around 2h 05m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Chapel Hill. The train journey from Chapel Hill to Charlotte takes 2h 43m and costs around $28 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Alexandria, expect to pay about $42 for a 5h 56m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Chapel Hill is to pick up a car rental from Charlotte, which is about 179 km from Chapel Hill. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Dollar, among others, in Charlotte.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Chapel Hill, including CoachRun, Greyhound and Tornado Bus. From Charlotte, the bus ride to Chapel Hill takes 241 km and will cost you around $36. From Richmond, the ticket costs about $69 for a journey of 290 km.

Airports near Chapel Hill

Airlines serving Chapel Hill

Lufthansa
Good (4,699 reviews)
KLM
Good (847 reviews)
SWISS
Good (955 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,592 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,261 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,586 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (490 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,600 reviews)
Air France
Good (980 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,111 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,432 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,965 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,962 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (227 reviews)
Finnair
Good (856 reviews)
LOT
Good (677 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (925 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,167 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (834 reviews)
Ethiopian Air
Good (405 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Chapel Hill

Average rates range from around $155 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $542 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Chapel Hill

Most booked hotels in Chapel Hill

Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
4 stars
Excellent (9.3, 146 reviews)
$181+
Rizzo Center
4 stars
Excellent (9.2, 328 reviews)
$173+
Hyatt Place Chapel Hill/Southern Village
3 stars
Excellent (8.9, 465 reviews)
$139+
Hyatt Place Durham Southpoint
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 722 reviews)
$160+
Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 862 reviews)
$134+
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Raleigh - Durham
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 460 reviews)
$122+

Renting a car in Chapel Hill

Renting a car in Chapel Hill costs $60 per day, on average, or $119 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 1% cheaper than airport locations in Chapel Hill.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Chapel Hill (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Chapel Hill is Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Chevrolet Bolt or similar) are, on average, 58% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Chapel Hill costs $60 per day, on average, or $119 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 1% cheaper than airport locations in Chapel Hill.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Chapel Hill (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Chapel Hill is Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Chevrolet Bolt or similar) are, on average, 58% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.