Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

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. We recommend you stay at least 4 days in order to fully appreciate everything Gainesville has to offer.

Where to Eat in Gainesville

If you’re looking for affordable options, Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse and Tavern - GA (312 Jesse Jewell Pkwy) and Jekyll Brewing - Gainesville (908 Grove St) are great picks.

When to visit Gainesville

Gainesville in January
Estimated hotel price
$127
1 night at 3-star hotel
Gainesville in January
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 Athens Ben Epps (AHN), which is located 37 miles from Gainesville. Athens Ben Epps is the most popular, with regular flights from Delta, Aeromexico, LATAM Airlines and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Gainesville departs from Fort Lauderdale and takes around 1h 51m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Gainesville. The train journey from Gainesville to Charlotte takes 5h 48m and costs around $60 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New Orleans, expect to pay about $53 for a 12h 50m trip. The train station in Gainesville is called Gainesville, and is located 0.7 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Gainesville is to pick up a car rental from Atlanta, which is about 49 miles from Gainesville. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Turo, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Gainesville, including FlixBus, Greyhound and Wanda Coach. From Nashville, the bus ride to Gainesville takes 250 miles and will cost you around $90. From Memphis, the ticket costs about $108 for a journey of 445 miles. Gainesville’s bus station is located 1.7 miles from the city center.

Plane

Although Gainesville doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Athens Ben Epps (AHN), which is located 37 miles from Gainesville. Athens Ben Epps is the most popular, with regular flights from Delta, Aeromexico, LATAM Airlines and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Gainesville departs from Fort Lauderdale and takes around 1h 51m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Gainesville. The train journey from Gainesville to Charlotte takes 5h 48m and costs around $60 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New Orleans, expect to pay about $53 for a 12h 50m trip. The train station in Gainesville is called Gainesville, and is located 0.7 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Gainesville is to pick up a car rental from Atlanta, which is about 49 miles from Gainesville. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Turo, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Gainesville, including FlixBus, Greyhound and Wanda Coach. From Nashville, the bus ride to Gainesville takes 250 miles and will cost you around $90. From Memphis, the ticket costs about $108 for a journey of 445 miles. Gainesville’s bus station is located 1.7 miles from the city center.

Airports near Gainesville

ATLAtlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
CHAChattanooga Lovell Field

Airlines serving Gainesville

KLM
Good (1,471 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,848 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,786 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,290 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,253 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,897 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,134 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,740 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,420 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,544 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,542 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (901 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,712 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,800 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,426 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,183 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,371 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,206 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,475 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (389 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Gainesville

Where to stay in Gainesville

Average rates range from around $268 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $1,800 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Comfort Inn & Suites and Super 8 by Wyndham Gainesville.

Where to stay in popular areas of Gainesville

Most booked hotels in Gainesville

See all
Courtyard by Marriott Gainesville GA
3 stars
Excellent (9.1, 93 reviews)
$180+
View
Best Western Plus Lake Lanier Gainesville Hotel & Suites
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 725 reviews)
$120+
View
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Gainesville - Lake Lanier Area By IHG
2 stars
Excellent (8.4, 234 reviews)
$134+
View
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Gainesville
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 212 reviews)
$156+
View
The Guest Lodge Gainesville
2 stars
Good (7.9, 848 reviews)
$81+
View
Jameson Inn-Oakwood
2 stars
Okay (5.9, 178 reviews)
$69+
View

Renting a car in Gainesville

Renting a car in Gainesville costs $49 per day, on average, or $196 if you want to rent if for 4 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 10% cheaper than airport locations in Gainesville.

Expect to pay $3.37 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 $40.43 and $53.90. The most frequently booked car type in Gainesville is Compact (Nissan Rogue or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Intermediate rental cars (Tesla Model 3 or similar) are, on average, 56% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Gainesville costs $49 per day, on average, or $196 if you want to rent if for 4 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 10% cheaper than airport locations in Gainesville.

Expect to pay $3.37 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 $40.43 and $53.90. The most frequently booked car type in Gainesville is Compact (Nissan Rogue or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Intermediate rental cars (Tesla Model 3 or similar) are, on average, 56% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Car rental agencies in Gainesville

Hertz

Hertz
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