Carmel travel guide

Carmel Tourism | Carmel Guide

You're Going to Love Carmel

With a population of 79,191, Carmel is a must-see destination in Indiana, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Carmel deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Carmel

If you’re looking for affordable options, Mitchell's Fish Market - Carmel (14311 Clay Terrace Blvd., Suite 100) and Charleston's Restaurant - Carmel (14636 Greyhound Plaza) are great picks.

When to visit Carmel

Carmel in January
Estimated hotel price
$138
1 night at 3-star hotel
Carmel in January
Estimated hotel price
$138
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Carmel

Plane

Although Carmel doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Indianapolis Airport (IND), which is located 21 miles from Carmel. Lafayette Purdue University is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Carmel departs from Orlando and takes around 2h 26m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Carmel. The train journey from Carmel to Washington, D.C. takes 18h 16m and costs around $100 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Newark, expect to pay about $188 for a 22h 10m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Carmel is to pick up a car rental from Chicago, which is about 153 miles from Carmel. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Turo, among others, in Chicago.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Carmel, including Tornado Bus, Amtrak and Greyhound. From Louisville, the bus ride to Carmel takes 120 miles and will cost you around $42. From Nashville, the ticket costs about $250 for a journey of 170 miles.

Plane

Although Carmel doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Indianapolis Airport (IND), which is located 21 miles from Carmel. Lafayette Purdue University is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Carmel departs from Orlando and takes around 2h 26m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Carmel. The train journey from Carmel to Washington, D.C. takes 18h 16m and costs around $100 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Newark, expect to pay about $188 for a 22h 10m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Carmel is to pick up a car rental from Chicago, which is about 153 miles from Carmel. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Turo, among others, in Chicago.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Carmel, including Tornado Bus, Amtrak and Greyhound. From Louisville, the bus ride to Carmel takes 120 miles and will cost you around $42. From Nashville, the ticket costs about $250 for a journey of 170 miles.

Airports near Carmel

Airlines serving Carmel

Lufthansa
Good (4,679 reviews)
KLM
Good (843 reviews)
SWISS
Good (948 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,616 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,256 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,586 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (488 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,601 reviews)
Air France
Good (978 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,112 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,436 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,977 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,989 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (227 reviews)
Finnair
Good (856 reviews)
Ethiopian Air
Good (412 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,755 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (730 reviews)
Spirit Airlines
Good (4,544 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (1,358 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in popular areas of Carmel

Most booked hotels in Carmel

Hotel Carmichael Autograph Collection
4 stars
Excellent (9.2, 114 reviews)
$259+
Hyatt Place Indianapolis/Fishers
3 stars
Excellent (9, 352 reviews)
$171+
Staybridge Suites Indianapolis-Carmel
3 stars
Excellent (8.9, 360 reviews)
$133+
Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Northeast/Fishers
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 147 reviews)
$166+
Wyndham Westfield
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 283 reviews)
$116+
Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis/Carmel
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 299 reviews)
$158+

Renting a car in Carmel

Renting a car in Carmel costs $70 per day, on average, or $140 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 3% cheaper than airport locations in Carmel.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Carmel (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Carmel is Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Nissan Versa Note or similar) are, on average, 69% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Carmel costs $70 per day, on average, or $140 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 3% cheaper than airport locations in Carmel.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Carmel (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Carmel is Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Nissan Versa Note or similar) are, on average, 69% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.