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 Delta, Frontier, WestJet and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Chapel Hill departs from Hartford and takes around 1h 48m.

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 $19 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Alexandria, expect to pay about $29 for a 5h 56m 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 Easirent, among others, in Charlotte.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Chapel Hill, including Tornado Bus, FlixBus and Greyhound. From Charlotte, the bus ride to Chapel Hill takes 178 miles and will cost you around $230. From Washington, D.C., the ticket costs about $112 for a journey of 295 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 Delta, Frontier, WestJet and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Chapel Hill departs from Hartford and takes around 1h 48m.

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 $19 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Alexandria, expect to pay about $29 for a 5h 56m 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 Easirent, among others, in Charlotte.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Chapel Hill, including Tornado Bus, FlixBus and Greyhound. From Charlotte, the bus ride to Chapel Hill takes 178 miles and will cost you around $230. From Washington, D.C., the ticket costs about $112 for a journey of 295 miles.

Airports near Chapel Hill

Airlines serving Chapel Hill

Lufthansa
Good (4,664 reviews)
KLM
Good (852 reviews)
SWISS
Good (941 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,534 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,614 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,306 reviews)
Air France
Good (984 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,585 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (484 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,958 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,119 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,469 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,859 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (228 reviews)
Finnair
Good (872 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,176 reviews)
LOT
Good (685 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (922 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (833 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,651 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Chapel Hill

Average rates range from around $159 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $461 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, 147 reviews)
$185+
Rizzo Center
4 stars
Excellent (9.2, 335 reviews)
$173+
Graduate Chapel Hill
4 stars
Excellent (9.1, 378 reviews)
$202+
Hyatt Place Chapel Hill/Southern Village
3 stars
Excellent (8.9, 466 reviews)
$150+
Hyatt Place Durham Southpoint
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 718 reviews)
$160+
Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 863 reviews)
$134+

Renting a car in Chapel Hill

Renting a car in Chapel Hill costs $57 per day, on average, or $114 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 7% cheaper than airport locations in Chapel Hill.

Expect to pay $3.94 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 $47.24 and $62.99. The most frequently booked car type in Chapel Hill is Intermediate (Chevrolet Bolt EUV 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 $57 per day, on average, or $114 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 7% cheaper than airport locations in Chapel Hill.

Expect to pay $3.94 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 $47.24 and $62.99. The most frequently booked car type in Chapel Hill is Intermediate (Chevrolet Bolt EUV 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.