Gainesville travel guide

Gainesville Tourism | Gainesville Guide

You're Going to Love Gainesville

With a population of 33.804, Gainesville is a must-see destination in Georgia, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Gainesville deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Gainesville

If you’re looking for affordable options, Bistro at the Oaks (2719 Tumbling Creek Rd) and Scott's Downtown (131 Bradford St NW) are great picks.

When to visit Gainesville

Gainesville in February
Estimated hotel price
$127
1 night at 3-star hotel
Gainesville in February
Estimated hotel price
$127
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Gainesville in July, when the average temperature is 77 °F, and the highest can go up to 87.8 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 32 °F, with an average temperature of 41 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in March, when precipitation is around 5.8″. In contrast, October is usually the driest month of the year in Gainesville, with an average rainfall of 3.4″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Gainesville

Plane

Although Gainesville doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Atlanta De Kalb/Peachtree (PDK), which is located 64 km from Gainesville. Atlanta De Kalb/Peachtree is the most popular, with regular flights from Air France, Aeromexico, Delta and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Gainesville departs from Boston and takes around 2h 47m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Gainesville. The train journey from Gainesville to Birmingham takes 4h 36m and costs around $29 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New Orleans, expect to pay about $53 for a 12h 45m trip. The train station in Gainesville is called Gainesville, and is located 1.1 km from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Gainesville is to pick up a car rental from Atlanta, which is about 80 km from Gainesville. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Hertz, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Gainesville, including RedCoach, Greyhound and FlixBus. From Columbus, the bus ride to Gainesville takes 177 km and will cost you around $65. From Charlotte, the ticket costs about $71 for a journey of 314 km. Gainesville’s bus station is located 2.7 km from the city center.

Plane

Although Gainesville doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Atlanta De Kalb/Peachtree (PDK), which is located 64 km from Gainesville. Atlanta De Kalb/Peachtree is the most popular, with regular flights from Air France, Aeromexico, Delta and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Gainesville departs from Boston and takes around 2h 47m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Gainesville. The train journey from Gainesville to Birmingham takes 4h 36m and costs around $29 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New Orleans, expect to pay about $53 for a 12h 45m trip. The train station in Gainesville is called Gainesville, and is located 1.1 km from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Gainesville is to pick up a car rental from Atlanta, which is about 80 km from Gainesville. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Hertz, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Gainesville, including RedCoach, Greyhound and FlixBus. From Columbus, the bus ride to Gainesville takes 177 km and will cost you around $65. From Charlotte, the ticket costs about $71 for a journey of 314 km. Gainesville’s bus station is located 2.7 km from the city center.

Airlines serving Gainesville

Lufthansa
Good (7,356 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,417 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,799 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,717 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,762 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (9,630 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (933 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,673 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,622 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,754 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (10,082 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (4,159 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (482 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (7,353 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,407 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,332 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,331 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,986 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,367 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,286 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Gainesville

Average rates range from around $229 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $1,463 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Gainesville

Most booked hotels in Gainesville

Best Western Plus Lake Lanier Gainesville Hotel & Suites
2 stars
Excellent (8.6, 482 reviews)
$131+
Hilton Garden Inn Gainesville
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 171 reviews)
$149+
The Guest Lodge Gainesville
2 stars
Good (7.7, 560 reviews)
$93+
Econo Lodge
2 stars
Good (6.7, 91 reviews)
$98+
Super 8 by Wyndham Gainesville
2 stars
Good (6.5, 131 reviews)
$91+
Ramada by Wyndham Gainesville
3 stars
Good (6, 528 reviews)
$99+

Renting a car in Gainesville

Renting a car in Gainesville costs $76 per day, on average, or $153 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, 19% more expensive than at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson.

Expect to pay $3.82 per gallon in Gainesville (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $45.88 and $61.17. The most frequently booked car type in Gainesville is Compact (Toyota RAV4 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini rental cars (Fiat 500 or similar) are, on average, 55% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Gainesville costs $76 per day, on average, or $153 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, 19% more expensive than at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson.

Expect to pay $3.82 per gallon in Gainesville (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $45.88 and $61.17. The most frequently booked car type in Gainesville is Compact (Toyota RAV4 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini rental cars (Fiat 500 or similar) are, on average, 55% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Car rental agencies in Gainesville

Hertz

Hertz
Find car rentals in Gainesville