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 American Airlines, Delta, Frontier and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Chapel Hill departs from Fort Lauderdale and takes around 2h 06m.

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 $26 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Richmond, expect to pay about $41 for a 3h 46m 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 FlixBus, Tornado Bus and Busbud. From Richmond, the bus ride to Chapel Hill takes 160 miles and will cost you around $91. From Charlotte, the ticket costs about $36 for a journey of 160 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 American Airlines, Delta, Frontier and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Chapel Hill departs from Fort Lauderdale and takes around 2h 06m.

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 $26 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Richmond, expect to pay about $41 for a 3h 46m 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 FlixBus, Tornado Bus and Busbud. From Richmond, the bus ride to Chapel Hill takes 160 miles and will cost you around $91. From Charlotte, the ticket costs about $36 for a journey of 160 miles.

Airports near Chapel Hill

Airlines serving Chapel Hill

Lufthansa
Good (4,679 reviews)
KLM
Good (857 reviews)
SWISS
Good (928 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,510 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,610 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,304 reviews)
Air France
Good (983 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,565 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (479 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,943 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,133 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,479 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,815 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (228 reviews)
Finnair
Good (878 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,168 reviews)
LOT
Good (685 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (917 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (832 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,611 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Chapel Hill

Average rates range from around $158 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $479 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 (9.4, 148 reviews)
$196+
Rizzo Center
4 stars
Excellent (9.2, 336 reviews)
$173+
Graduate Chapel Hill
4 stars
Excellent (9.1, 382 reviews)
$206+
Hyatt Place Chapel Hill/Southern Village
3 stars
Excellent (8.9, 464 reviews)
$152+
Hyatt Place Durham Southpoint
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 716 reviews)
$160+
Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Durham
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 868 reviews)
$130+

Renting a car in Chapel Hill

Renting a car in Chapel Hill costs $52 per day, on average, or $105 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 18% 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, 57% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Chapel Hill costs $52 per day, on average, or $105 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 18% 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, 57% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.