Carolina Beach travel guide

Carolina Beach Tourism | Carolina Beach Guide

You're Going to Love Carolina Beach

With a population of 5,706, Carolina Beach is a must-see destination in North Carolina, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Carolina Beach deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

When to visit Carolina Beach

Carolina Beach in January
Estimated hotel price
$110
1 night at 3-star hotel
Carolina Beach in January
Estimated hotel price
$110
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Carolina Beach

Plane

Although Carolina Beach doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Wilmington New Hanover County (ILM), which is located 26 km from Carolina Beach. Myrtle Beach Intl is the most popular, with regular flights from Air Canada, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Carolina Beach departs from Washington, D.C. and takes around 1h 20m.

Car

Another option to get to Carolina Beach is to pick up a car rental from Charlotte, which is about 300 km from Carolina Beach. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Easirent, among others, in Charlotte.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Carolina Beach using FlixBus or Busbud.

Plane

Although Carolina Beach doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Wilmington New Hanover County (ILM), which is located 26 km from Carolina Beach. Myrtle Beach Intl is the most popular, with regular flights from Air Canada, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Carolina Beach departs from Washington, D.C. and takes around 1h 20m.

Car

Another option to get to Carolina Beach is to pick up a car rental from Charlotte, which is about 300 km from Carolina Beach. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Easirent, among others, in Charlotte.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Carolina Beach using FlixBus or Busbud.

Airlines serving Carolina Beach

KLM
Good (858 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,492 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,602 reviews)
Air France
Good (978 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,942 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,482 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,791 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,582 reviews)
Spirit Airlines
Good (4,538 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (1,351 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (772 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (818 reviews)
American Airlines
Good (5,789 reviews)
Sun Country Air
Good (136 reviews)
Virgin Atlantic
Good (511 reviews)
WestJet
Good (1,928 reviews)
Allegiant Air
Good (440 reviews)
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Where to stay in Carolina Beach

Average rates range from around $369 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $288 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Carolina Beach

Most booked hotels in Carolina Beach

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Carolina Beach Oceanfront
2 stars
Excellent (8.8, 737 reviews)
$232+
Golden Sands Oceanfront Hotel
2 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1669 reviews)
$175+
The Windstar Hotel - Carolina Beach
2 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1100 reviews)
$152+
Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 582 reviews)
$185+
Comfort Inn University
2 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1603 reviews)
$121+
Courtyard Carolina Beach
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 372 reviews)
$262+

Renting a car in Carolina Beach

Renting a car in Carolina Beach costs $77 per day, on average, or $154 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 17% more expensive than at Wilmington New Hanover County.

Expect to pay $3.94 per gallon in Carolina Beach (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $47.24 and $62.99. The most frequently booked car type in Carolina Beach is Intermediate (Nissan Kicks or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Standard rental cars (Toyota Prius or similar) are, on average, 57% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Carolina Beach costs $77 per day, on average, or $154 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 17% more expensive than at Wilmington New Hanover County.

Expect to pay $3.94 per gallon in Carolina Beach (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $47.24 and $62.99. The most frequently booked car type in Carolina Beach is Intermediate (Nissan Kicks or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Standard rental cars (Toyota Prius or similar) are, on average, 57% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.