Which place is cheaper, Virginia or Alaska?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Alaska or Virginia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Alaska or Virginia? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Alaska or Virginia?
Alaska
Alaska joined the United States of America as the 49th state. The US purchased the area from the Russian Empire in 1867 for just 7.2 million dollars (about two cents an acre). It became an organized territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It is separated from the rest of the country by Canada and, although it is the largest state, it is the least densely populated and for many years had the lowest population. It covers an area equal to California, Texas and Montana combined and lies on the Arctic Circle. Many people consider Alaska to be the United State's "final frontier" because of its vast wilderness. It is also where you will find the highest point in North America.
Virginia
One of the original thirteen British colonies, Virginia is a place of rich history and varied environments. You might explore the historic settlement of Colonial Williamsburg, dive into the current culture of its major cities, or get lost in nature along the coast or in the scenic landscape of the Appalachian Mountains. There's a little something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Alaska Prices
USA PricesVirginia Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlaska $280Virginia $185
The average daily cost (per person) in Alaska is $280, while the average daily cost in Virginia is $185. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Alaska and Virginia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlaska $135Virginia $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlaska $270Virginia $160
Compare Hotels in Alaska and Virginia
Looking for a hotel in Alaska or Virginia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alaska $51Virginia $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Whittier to Anchorage Shared Bus Transfer Service: $69
- Anchorage to Whittier Shared Bus Transfer Service: $69
- Seward to Anchorage Shared Bus Transfer Service: $75
- Anchorage to Seward Direct Transfer Tour: $79
- Whittier to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $80
- Seward to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $85
- Portage Glacier Express with Van Transfer from Anchorage: $123
- Anchorage to Seward Cruise Transfer with Exit Glacier: $190
- Whittier to Anchorage Post Cruise Scenic Transfer Tour: $195
- Whittier to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $197
- Whittier Cruise Transfer with Wildlife&Glacier tour to Anchorage: $199
- Whittier to Anchorage Transfer on Sprinter Van: $199
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Virginia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Virginia:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
- Airport Transfers to or from Charlottesville Albemarle Airport: $80
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond city - Arrival Private Transfer: $174
- Richmond City to Richmond Airport (RIC) - Departure Private Transfer: $174
- Private Transfer To or From Reston and Dulles International Airport: $205
- Airport Transfer to or from Mclean, VA and Reagan Airport(DCA): $215
- Airport Transfer to or from Mclean, VA and Dulles Airport: $225
- Private transfer to or from Reston and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $230
- Bamville Transportation (Private & Airport Transfers): $275
Is it cheaper to fly into Alaska or Virginia?
Prices for flights to both Virginia and Alaska change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAlaska $94Virginia $60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre Experience: $95
- Aurora Viewing and Dinner: $120
- Ketchikan Fireside Feast: Open-Fire Salmon & Reindeer Dinner: $159
- Anchorage Sightseeing and Food Tour - Available All Year Long!: $195
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $239
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Virginia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Virginia.
- Speak Easy Murder Mystery Dinner Show at Kings Creek Williamsburg: $55
- The Carytown Food Tour with Discover Richmond Tours: $90
- Church Hill Food Tour with Discover Richmond Tours: $90
- Delicious Pizza & Ice Cream Tour of Richmond: $94
- City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise: $94
- Arts District Food Tour in Richmond with Discover Richmond: $100
- Richmond's Historic Market Food Tour with 5 Authentic Tastings: $109
- The UVA Corner Food Tour: Private Walking Food Tour in Charlottesville: $228
- The Downtown Mall Food Tour: $228
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alaska $65Virginia $24
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- Anchorage Self-Guided Tour: Discover Glaciers & Alaska's Frontier: $4.74
- Discover Seward: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour: Anchorage to Seward: $17
- Anchorage to Denali Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $20
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Anchorage to Homer: $20
- Anchorage–Homer Sterling Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $20
- Mendenhall Glacier Explorer Juneau Self Guided Audio Tour: $25
- Anchorage Trolley's 1-Hour City Tour: $25
- Kenai Peninsula Driving Self Guided Audio Tour Bundle: $30
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $36
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Alaska Bundle: $40
- Alaska Road Trip: Anchorage, Seward, Homer & Denali Audio Tour: $40
Tours and Activities in Virginia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Virginia are as follows:
- Shenandoah National Park Self Guided Driving Tour North to South: $7.99
- Historical Fredericksburg SmartPhone App Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Williamsburg's Famous Ghosts Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.75
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by Crazy Dash: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by Wacky Walks: $10
- Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Ashburn Sterling VA: $15
- Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
- Self Guided Audio Tour Skyline Drive and Shenandoah NP: $15
- Yorktown Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlaska $20Virginia $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Distillery Tour in the Heart of Anchorage: $25
- Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour: $159
- Arctic Ale Trail: a Fairbanks Brewery Tour with Drinks & Pickup.: $189
Sample the Local Flavors in Virginia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Virginia:
- An Electrifying Bar Crawl in Richmond: $15
- Awesome Bar Crawl in Norfolk: $15
- Williamsburg Ghosts and Brews Haunted Pub Crawls: $29
- Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- The Murder Tour and Pub Crawl: $48
- Richmond Craft Brewery Crawl By Junket: $69
- Brewery Tour of Richmond, VA: $90
- Special 6 hours premium Wine Tours for 2 or 3 people: $130
- Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour: $270
- 5 Hour Historic Thomas Jefferson Wine Tour: $270
- Private Wine Tours Transportation from 3 People and More: $280
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alaska and Virginia, we can see that Alaska is more expensive. And not only is Virginia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Alaska would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alaska than you might in Virginia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alaska Expensive? and Is Virginia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Alaska or Virginia?
Virginia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of Alaska and Virginia, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.