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 15 miles 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 51m and costs around $28 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Columbia, expect to pay about $40 for a 4h 02m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Chapel Hill is to pick up a car rental from Charlotte, which is about 111 miles 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 178 miles and will cost you around $115. From Richmond, the ticket costs about $69 for a journey of 180 miles.

Plane

Although Chapel Hill doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU), which is located 15 miles 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 51m and costs around $28 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Columbia, expect to pay about $40 for a 4h 02m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Chapel Hill is to pick up a car rental from Charlotte, which is about 111 miles 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 178 miles and will cost you around $115. From Richmond, the ticket costs about $69 for a journey of 180 miles.

Airports near Chapel Hill

Airlines serving Chapel Hill

Lufthansa
Good (4,695 reviews)
KLM
Good (846 reviews)
SWISS
Good (954 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,585 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,598 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,269 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (491 reviews)
Air France
Good (981 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,599 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,116 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,958 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,437 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,935 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (224 reviews)
Finnair
Good (863 reviews)
LOT
Good (681 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (923 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,170 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,726 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (833 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Chapel Hill

Average rates range from around $156 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)
$184+
Rizzo Center
4 stars
Excellent (9.2, 329 reviews)
$173+
Hyatt Place Chapel Hill/Southern Village
3 stars
Excellent (8.9, 466 reviews)
$141+
Hyatt Place Durham Southpoint
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 725 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, 458 reviews)
$123+

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.