A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Alexandria vs. Portland for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Alexandria or Portland?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Alexandria and Portland. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Alexandria or Portland?

Alexandria

Just minutes from the nation's capital of Washington DC, Alexandria offers a world of rich history and beautifully preserved buildings from the 18th-19th centuries. A city of many interests, attractions range from the old haunts of George Washington and historic architecture to museums, local crafts, and quaint boutiques. With its cobblestoned streets, Old Town of Alexandria is sure to charm as well.

Portland

Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.

Which place is cheaper, Portland or Alexandria?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Portland is $180. 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 Alexandria and Portland in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Alexandria $38
    Portland $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Alexandria $76
    Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Portland

Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or Portland? 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.

Hotels in Alexandria


Hotels in Portland


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Alexandria Hotel Prices and Portland Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Alexandria -
    Portland $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland

Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Portland Airport to The Summit at Snoqualmie Arrival Transfer: $186
  • Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
  • Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
  • Arrival Business Class Private Transfer Portland Airport PDX to Portland City: $147
  • Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
  • Portland International Airport - Private transfer from/to Oregon City: $127
  • Portland Airport (PDX) to Portland downtown - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $123
  • Departure Business Class Private Transfer from Portland Airport PDX to Portland: $108
  • Private Transfer from Portland City Hotels to Astoria Cruise Port: $88
  • Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $88
  • Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
  • Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75

Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Portland?

Prices for flights to both Portland and Alexandria 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Alexandria -
    Portland $43

Typical Food prices in Portland

For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Afternoon Drinks (for 2)
    $9.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland

For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Portland Pizza Tour : $75
  • Walking Pizza Tour: $75
  • Brunch on Mississippi Food Tour: $95
  • Brunch on Mississippi Food Tour: $95
  • Portland Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $105
  • The Vibrant Kerns Hood Food Tour: $105
  • The Bustling Buckman Hood Food Tour: $105
  • All-Inclusive Walking Food Tour: $119
  • Secret Food Tour with Local Guide: $120
  • 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River: $126
  • Willamette River 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise: $126
  • All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $129

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Alexandria -
    Portland $24

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alexandria.

  • A Walk in Washington's Footsteps History Tour: $32
  • American Revolution Guided Walking Tour: $30
  • Full-Day Bike Tour to Mt Vernon w/ Optional Boat: $51
  • Phantoms of the Potomac Walking Tour: $26
  • Private Tour of George Washington's Mount Vernon: $165
  • Old Town Alexandria Tour: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Old Town Southern Comfort Food & History Tour: $127
  • Philadelphia Tour from Alexandria by Rail: $329

Tours and Activities in Portland

For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2-hour Champagne Brunch Cruise on Willamette River: $98
  • 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour: $69
  • 2-Hour Scenic River Boat Tour on the Willamette River: $349
  • 2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River: $84
  • 7 Day - Oregon South Experience: $2,999
  • 7 Wonders of the Gorge 3.5-hour Jetboat Cruise: $90
  • 8-Hour Guided Fishing Adventure in Portland, Oregon: $250
  • 90 Minute Sailing Tour of Portland: $99
  • A Full Day of Wonder: Wine, Waterfalls, and Timberline Tour: $159
  • A Full Day of Wonder: Wine, Waterfalls, and Timberline Tour: $169
  • Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland: $81
  • Airplane Flight Tour over Portland, Oregon: $99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Alexandria -
    Portland $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Alexandria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Alexandria:

  • Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35

Sample the Local Flavors in Portland

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:

  • Power Through Portland Bar Crawl: $12
  • Weird Portland Pub Tour: $29
  • Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Oregon Priority Wine Tasting Pass: $40
  • Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
  • Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $40
  • Haunted Pub Tour: $45
  • Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $49
  • Eastside Craft Brewery Walking Tour: $59
  • Weird Bar Crawl with Fanatical Local: $59
  • Distillery Row of Portland's Eastside Walking Tour : $65
  • Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $87

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Portland, we can see that Portland is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Portland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland than you might in Alexandria.

Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Portland?

Portland is bigger, and its population is about 4.2 times larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the population of Alexandria vs. Portland, 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Alexandria or Portland?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Alexandria or Portland in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Portland. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Portland because of the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Alexandria is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alexandria in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Portland averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. In Alexandria, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alexandria usually receives less sunshine than Portland during summer. Alexandria gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Alexandria usually receives more rain than Portland. Alexandria gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Alexandria 79°F (26°C) 
    Portland 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Alexandria or Portland in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Portland. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Portland this time of year.

In October, Alexandria is generally a little warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 60°F (15°C), and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

In the autumn, Alexandria often gets more sunshine than Portland. Alexandria gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun.

Alexandria usually gets more rain in October than Portland. Alexandria gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Alexandria 60°F (15°C) 
    Portland 55°F (13°C)

Should I visit Alexandria or Portland in the Winter?

Both Portland and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Portland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Portland. It's quite cold in Alexandria in the winter. Alexandria is much colder than Portland in the winter. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 35°F (1°C) in January, and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

Alexandria usually receives more sunshine than Portland during winter. Alexandria gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Portland. In January, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Portland. Alexandria gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Alexandria 35°F (1°C) 
    Portland 40°F (4°C)

Should I visit Alexandria or Portland in the Spring?

Both Portland and Alexandria during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Portland in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Alexandria is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alexandria in April average around 56°F (14°C), and Portland averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In Portland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Alexandria. In the spring, Alexandria often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Portland. Alexandria gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun.

Alexandria usually gets more rain in April than Portland. Alexandria gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Alexandria 56°F (14°C) 
    Portland 51°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Portland and Alexandria

Alexandria Portland
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 40°F (4°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm)
Feb 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 47°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2 inches (51 mm)
Jun 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 64°F (18°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 69°F (20°C) 1 inches (25 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 63°F (17°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 55°F (13°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Nov 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 46°F (8°C) 5.4 inches (136 mm)
Dec 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 40°F (5°C) 6.1 inches (156 mm)


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.
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Alexandria vs. Portland Travel Comparison

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