How Much It Costs to Visit the Biltmore Estate [2024 Guide]
Visiting the Biltmore Estate ranks highly on things to do in Asheville. In fact, travelers on TripAdvisor rate it as the number one Asheville activity. The gardens and grounds are inspiring, the views are breathtaking and the House is the largest home in America.
But how much does it cost to visit the Biltmore Estate? This blog post breaks down what you can expect to pay when visiting this spectacular spot in Western North Carolina.
The Cost of Touring the Biltmore Estate House [Quick Guide]
Looking for a quick Biltmore day pass cost analysis? Here is a high-level estimated cost of visiting the Biltmore Estate in 2024, by season.
The daily House tour costs below are estimates that include taxes and fees. I don’t work for the Biltmore or have control of their daily pass ticket prices. I do however love visiting the Biltmore and hope this blog post helps you plan your experience.
The Cost of Touring the Biltmore House
Why You Should Book in Advance
Due to its popularity, it is required to book reservations to tour the Biltmore House. I highly recommend booking these in advance, especially during peak seasons like weekends or Christmas. Time slots are sold in 15-minute increments and they do sell out!
Your ticket to tour the House also includes:
- Free audio guide that provides an overview of each room and the history of the House and family
- Access to the gardens and grounds
- Complimentary wine tastings at the Antler Hill Village & Winery
- Free parking and shuttle service
Visiting the Biltmore in the Summer (Memorial Day – September 2024)
If flowers fill your soul, you’ll love visiting the Biltmore Estate during the summer months. The gardens are blooming and there are freshly cut flowers in almost every room of the House.
If you’re booking a Biltmore tour during summer 2024, expect to pay $90 on off-season weekdays up to $95-$125 before taxes on weekends and peak days. After taxes and fees, you can expect to pay between $99 on the cheapest days and up to $136 per adult ticket on the most expensive days during the summer season, especially Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Visiting the Biltmore in the Fall (October 2024)
Fall in Western North Carolina will knock your socks off. Imagine 8,000 acres of carefully cultivated trees all changing colors, surrounding a beautiful home inspired by European castles. It’s why fall is the second most expensive season to tour the Biltmore.
If you’re booking a Biltmore tour during fall 2024, expect to pay $110 on off-season weekdays up to $145 before taxes on weekends and peak days. After taxes and fees, you can expect to pay between $120 on the cheapest days and up to $152 per adult ticket on the most expensive days during the fall season.
Visiting the Biltmore in the Christmas Season (November 2024 – January 2025)
Visiting the Biltmore Estate during Christmas is truly magical. It’s also when tours are most expensive. For the 2025 Christmas season, adult tickets range from $130 during the week and up to $155 before taxes on weekends and peak days (e.g. Thanksgiving and Christmas).
After taxes and fees, you can expect to pay between $142 on the cheapest days and up to $169 per adult ticket on the most expensive days during the Christmas season.
Visiting in the Winter (Mid-January to Mid-March 2025)
The winter, post-New Year, is the cheapest season to visit the Biltmore. It’s also the least crowded. If you enjoy brisk walks, endless mountain views, and the crackle of a warm fireplace, winter will be your favorite time to visit the Biltmore.
At the time of updating this post for 2024, the 2025 winter season tickets aren’t available to purchase yet. I’ll update this blog post once they become available so say tuned.
For the 2024 winter season, adult tickets ranged from $69 during the week (especially Tuesdays-Thursdays) and up to $109 before taxes on weekends and peak days (e.g. MLK Jr. and Presidents’ Day Weekends).
After taxes and fees, you could expect to pay between $76 on the cheapest days up to $119 per adult ticket on the most expensive days during the winter season.
Visiting with Children
Good news for families, tickets to tour the Biltmore are cheaper for youth and children. For youth, ages 10-16-years-old, ticket prices are typically $32-$54 cheaper than adult tickets. For children, ages nine or younger, ticket prices are $10 in the summer and $15 in the fall and Christmas season before taxes and fees. And children, ages nine or younger who won’t use an audio guide receive free admission!
The Cost of Visiting the Biltmore Estate Grounds
If you’re short on time or don’t enjoy audio tours through glorious, historic homes, you can still come and enjoy a visit to the Biltmore by purchasing a Gardens & Grounds ticket.
This ticket includes full-day access to the six gardens, conservatory, and 20 nature trails. With this ticket, you’ll also have access to amenities like parking, restrooms, restaurants, and gift shops.
Just like Biltmore House tickets, the Grounds tickets are variable depending on the date. They’re also not available during the Christmas season. On weekdays, Gardens & Grounds tickets start at $60 per adult before tax and up to $100 during peak season weekends.
The Cost of Ticket Add-Ons at the Biltmore Estate
In addition to being able to tour the Biltmore House and explore the grounds, the Biltmore Estate offers other fun ticket add-ons and adventure opportunities.
Immersive Art Exhibits
Immerse yourself in Dale Chihuly’s breathtaking work in the Chihuly at Biltmore experience that highlights this artist’s great works. You’ll also learn more about Chihuly’s influences and inspiration. This artistic experience starts as a $40 ticket add-on.
Guided Small Group Tours
Wish you could get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Biltmore House? Or get more details about what it was like to visit the Biltmore as a guest? Maybe you’re looking for an outdoor tour, perhaps on a bike or raft? Or a winery tour?
If you want to make a full day of it at the Biltmore, check out their additional tour options that start at $45 per person, before tax.
The Cost of Dining at the Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate offers many dining options from snacks to fancy. Restaurants are located at the Biltmore House & Gardens, Deerpark, Antler Hill Village & Winery, and The Inn on Biltmore Estate.
For this guide, we’ll focus on the five options located at Biltmore House & Garden. Please note that some of these options close seasonally, so either check their website before you visit or don’t get your hopes set on one specific spot.
Snacks & Coffee – $
The Bake Shop offers coffee, alcoholic beverages, and baked goods options. You can expect to pay at least $5 for a coffee beverage or a baked good. The Biltmore Dairy Bar® offers ice cream and drip-style coffee beverages for similar prices.
Cafe-Style Lunch – $$
You can enjoy cafe-style lunch options, ordering at the counter and getting it to go at The Bake Shop, Conservatory Cafe, and my personal favorite, The Courtyard Market. Expect to pay $15-20 per meal, not including a drink.
Sit Down Meal – $$$
If you’re looking for more of a sit-down meal experience, with a designated table and serve, Stable Café is your lunch spot. Enjoy Appalachian comfort food starting at $16 for a salad without meat to $30 for an order of shrimp and grits.
The Cost of Staying at the Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore offers three on-property lodging options from moderate to premier. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, I recommend looking at nearby lodging options. Not sure which option is best for you? Use Biltmore’s lodging comparison tool.
Village Hotel – $$$
This casual hotel located in Antler Hill Village is ideal for families, offering outdoor pool access and a fitness center. The Village Hotel has 209 rooms and suites and includes all the expected amenities. The nightly rate starts at $280 in the slower season up to $807 on Christmas Eve.
The Inn – $$$$
This 210-room luxury hotel has received Forbes four-star status 22 years in a row. At The Inn you’ll enjoy elegant guest rooms, mountain views, turn-down service, and in-room dining. Ideal for a romantic getaway, rooms start at $390 per night in the slower season up to $1,043 on Christmas Eve.
Historic Cottages – $$$$$
This once-in-a-lifetime experience will give you the opportunity to rent a private, historic home on the Biltmore Estate. Choose from four Historic Cottages – Market Gardener’s Cottage, Dairy Foreman’s Cottage, and the Line House Cottage I & II. Nightly cottage rentals start at $1,000 per night in the slower season up to $3,394 per night on New Year’s Eve.
Is the Annual Pass Worth It?
Visiting the Biltmore Estate can be an expensive experience, but it is absolutely worth it. If you live in the area or plan on visiting more than once in a calendar year, I recommend purchasing the Annual Pass which starts at $299. It includes unlimited access to the gardens and grounds and free House tours that must be booked in advance.
If you live in the area, don’t wait to visit this beautiful spot! Of all visitors, you’ll be able to relate the most to George Vanderbilt on why he selected this part of the country to build his vacation estate. *Bonus* Tuesdays are one of the cheapest days to visit the Biltmore. Join me in making an ordinary day of the week extraordinary.
Have you visited the Biltmore? Planning an upcoming trip? Comment below with your tips or questions.
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