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 3 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 December
Estimated hotel price
$122
1 night at 3-star hotel
Gainesville in December
Estimated hotel price
$122
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 40 miles from Gainesville. Atlanta De Kalb/Peachtree is the most popular, with regular flights from Air Canada, Air France, Aeromexico and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Gainesville departs from Miami and takes around 1h 56m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Gainesville. The train journey from Gainesville to Greenville takes 3h 12m and costs around $40 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Birmingham, expect to pay about $32 for a 4h 36m 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 Ace, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Gainesville, including Bus, FlixBus and Greyhound. From Montgomery, the bus ride to Gainesville takes 160 miles and will cost you around $70. From Nashville, the ticket costs about $68 for a journey of 265 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 Atlanta De Kalb/Peachtree (PDK), which is located 40 miles from Gainesville. Atlanta De Kalb/Peachtree is the most popular, with regular flights from Air Canada, Air France, Aeromexico and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Gainesville departs from Miami and takes around 1h 56m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Gainesville. The train journey from Gainesville to Greenville takes 3h 12m and costs around $40 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Birmingham, expect to pay about $32 for a 4h 36m 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 Ace, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Gainesville, including Bus, FlixBus and Greyhound. From Montgomery, the bus ride to Gainesville takes 160 miles and will cost you around $70. From Nashville, the ticket costs about $68 for a journey of 265 miles. Gainesville’s bus station is located 1.7 miles from the city center.

Airports near Gainesville

PDKAtlanta De Kalb/Peachtree
ATLAtlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
CHAChattanooga Lovell Field

Airlines serving Gainesville

KLM
Good (1,405 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,555 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,004 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,496 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,031 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,778 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,007 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,003 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,402 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,661 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,484 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (864 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,410 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,285 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,560 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,243 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,053 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,133 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,335 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,391 reviews)
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Where to stay in Gainesville

Average rates range from around $201 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $2,848 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Super 8 by Wyndham Gainesville and The Guest Lodge Gainesville.

Where to stay in popular areas of Gainesville

Most booked hotels in Gainesville

See all
Best Western Plus Lake Lanier Gainesville Hotel & Suites
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 702 reviews)
$121+
View
The Guest Lodge Gainesville
2 stars
Excellent (8, 815 reviews)
$86+
View
Hilton Garden Inn Gainesville
3 stars
Excellent (8, 312 reviews)
$143+
View
Econo Lodge
2 stars
Good (7.2, 115 reviews)
$93+
View
Jameson Inn Oakwood
2 stars
Okay (5.9, 177 reviews)
$88+
View
Comfort Inn & Suites
3 stars
Okay (5.7, 1084 reviews)
$154+
View

Renting a car in Gainesville

Renting a car in Gainesville costs $55 per day, on average, or $164 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 9% cheaper than airport locations in Gainesville.

Expect to pay $3.41 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 $40.88 and $54.51. The most frequently booked car type in Gainesville is Premium (BMW X3 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Ford Fiesta or similar) are, on average, 74% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Gainesville costs $55 per day, on average, or $164 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 9% cheaper than airport locations in Gainesville.

Expect to pay $3.41 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 $40.88 and $54.51. The most frequently booked car type in Gainesville is Premium (BMW X3 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Ford Fiesta or similar) are, on average, 74% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Car rental agencies in Gainesville

Hertz

Hertz
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Gainesville Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Gainesville city guide for the best Gainesville travel tips. To help you organize your Gainesville trip ideas, this Gainesville visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.