Carolina Beach travel guide

Carolina Beach Tourism | Carolina Beach Guide

You're Going to Love Carolina Beach

With a population of 5.706, Carolina Beach is a must-see destination in North Carolina, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Carolina Beach deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

When to visit Carolina Beach

Carolina Beach in January
Estimated hotel price
$110
1 night at 3-star hotel
Carolina Beach in January
Estimated hotel price
$110
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Carolina Beach

Plane

Although Carolina Beach doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Wilmington New Hanover County (ILM), which is located 26 km from Carolina Beach. Myrtle Beach Intl is the most popular, with regular flights from Air Canada, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Carolina Beach departs from Washington, D.C. and takes around 1h 20m.

Car

Another option to get to Carolina Beach is to pick up a car rental from Charlotte, which is about 300 km from Carolina Beach. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Easirent, among others, in Charlotte.

Bus

FlixBus operates bus routes to Carolina Beach. From Washington, D.C., the bus ride to Carolina Beach takes 813 km and will cost you around $127. From Philadelphia, the ticket costs about $110 for a journey of 1223 km.

Plane

Although Carolina Beach doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Wilmington New Hanover County (ILM), which is located 26 km from Carolina Beach. Myrtle Beach Intl is the most popular, with regular flights from Air Canada, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Carolina Beach departs from Washington, D.C. and takes around 1h 20m.

Car

Another option to get to Carolina Beach is to pick up a car rental from Charlotte, which is about 300 km from Carolina Beach. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Easirent, among others, in Charlotte.

Bus

FlixBus operates bus routes to Carolina Beach. From Washington, D.C., the bus ride to Carolina Beach takes 813 km and will cost you around $127. From Philadelphia, the ticket costs about $110 for a journey of 1223 km.

Airlines serving Carolina Beach

KLM
Good (857 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,510 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,610 reviews)
Air France
Good (983 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,942 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,479 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,814 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,612 reviews)
Spirit Airlines
Good (4,543 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (1,353 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (774 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (815 reviews)
American Airlines
Good (5,790 reviews)
Sun Country Air
Good (135 reviews)
Virgin Atlantic
Good (505 reviews)
WestJet
Good (1,929 reviews)
Allegiant Air
Good (441 reviews)
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Where to stay in Carolina Beach

Average rates range from around $374 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $290 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Carolina Beach

Most booked hotels in Carolina Beach

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Carolina Beach Oceanfront
2 stars
Excellent (8.8, 737 reviews)
$243+
Golden Sands Oceanfront Hotel
2 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1671 reviews)
$174+
The Windstar Hotel - Carolina Beach
2 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1101 reviews)
$152+
Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 584 reviews)
$188+
Comfort Inn University
2 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1605 reviews)
$122+
Courtyard Carolina Beach
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 372 reviews)
$262+

Renting a car in Carolina Beach

Renting a car in Carolina Beach costs $77 per day, on average, or $154 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, 17% more expensive than at Wilmington New Hanover County.

Expect to pay $3.94 per gallon in Carolina Beach (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 Carolina Beach is Intermediate (Mazda CX-5 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Standard rental cars (Toyota Prius or similar) are, on average, 54% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Carolina Beach costs $77 per day, on average, or $154 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, 17% more expensive than at Wilmington New Hanover County.

Expect to pay $3.94 per gallon in Carolina Beach (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 Carolina Beach is Intermediate (Mazda CX-5 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Standard rental cars (Toyota Prius or similar) are, on average, 54% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.