Should you visit Aspen or Seattle?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Aspen and Seattle can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Aspen
Aspen is a famous, and notably expensive travel destination. The town is one of the country's most famous and recognizable ski destinations, and prices can climb high during the ski season. Although still expensive, you can often find better deals during the summer months or shoulder seasons. For visitors who want to enjoy the area's hiking, natural beauty, and charm, these are the times to visit.
Seattle
Situated on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington, Seattle is the largest city in the United States Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the water and mountains and filled with evergreen trees. It's also the home of some famous American institutions including Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and Microsoft. The population of almost 700,000 continues to grow. As of 2014, the city was considered the fastest growing major city in the United States. The entire metropolitan area has about 3.6 million residents, making it the 15th largest metro area in the US. The natural beauty, growing economy, and educational base give Seattle a youthful vibe that keep the city young and energetic.
Which city is cheaper, Seattle or Aspen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Aspen is $235, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $156. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Aspen and Seattle in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Aspen is $272. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
A hotel room in Seattle is about $188 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
The price of a meal in Aspen can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $68 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $27 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
The price of a meal in Seattle can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $38 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $15 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Aspen $68
Seattle $38
Typical Food prices in Seattle
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
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Expresso & cookie at Pier 70
$7.00
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Cashews at Pike Place Market
$6.00
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6 Mini Donuts at Pike Place Market
$3.25
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Chinese Lunch in International District (for 2)
$21
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Breakfast at Lowel's in Pike Place Market (for 2)
$32
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Breakfast at French Cafe (for 2)
$37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seattle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
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Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 1 Hour:
$34
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Pike Place Market: Walking Food Tour:
$48
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Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour:
$56
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Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours:
$58
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Pacific Northwest-Style Dinner and Pairing in Seattle:
$61
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Exclusive: Early-Access Food Tour of Pike Place Market:
$73
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Street Theater and Dinner in Seattle's Fremont District:
$86
-
Seattle Dinner Cruise:
$115
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $45 per day to get around in Aspen.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $18 per day to get around in Seattle.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aspen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aspen:
-
Private Departure Transfer to Aspen Airport (ASE):
$36
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Aspen Airport (ASE):
$36
-
Private Eagle County Regional Airport Transfer to Aspen:
$400
-
Aspen hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer:
$796
-
Private Transfer: Aspen to Denver International Airport (DEN):
$1,321
Typical Local Transportation prices in Seattle
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seattle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
-
Arrival Private Transfer Seattle Airport SEA to Seattle or Cruise Port - Minibus:
$195
-
Arrival Private Transfer from Seattle Airport SEA to Seattle by Business Car:
$108
-
Chauffeured Airport Transfer to/from or Sea-Tac International Airport - One Way:
$91
-
Cruise Port to Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) - Departure Private Transfer:
$71
-
Departure Private Transfer Seattle or Cruise Port to Seattle Airport SEA Minibus:
$195
-
Departure Private Transfer from Seattle to Seattle Airport SEA by Business Car:
$108
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Seattle Tacoma International Airport to Kent City - One Way:
$62
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Seattle Tacoma International Airport to Seattle City - One Way:
$149
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Seattle Tacoma International Airport to Tacoma City - One Way:
$139
-
One-Way Seattle Private Transfer up to 12 Pax: Cruises, Sea-Tac, Hotels:
$319
-
Private Airport Transfer: Seattle to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA):
$40
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Private Departure Transfer from Seattle City to SEA Seattle Airport:
$46
Is it cheaper to fly into Aspen or Seattle?
Prices for flights to both Seattle and Aspen 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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $36 per person, per day in Aspen. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $12 per person, per day in Seattle. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Aspen
Here are a few actual costs in Aspen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Aspen's DarkSide Ghost Tour:
$40
-
Aspen's Past to Present Historic Tour:
$40
-
Glimpse of Aspen Tour:
$40
Tours and Activities in Seattle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
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Private Auto-guided Tour of Seattle:
$4.96
-
Historic Ballard audio tour: A slice of Seattle's quirky history:
$5.00
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Skip the Line: Sky View Observatory Admission Tickets:
$10
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Smith Tower Straight Up Observatory Access Ticket:
$12
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Seattle Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$14
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Seattle Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$15
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Sky View Observatory General Admission Ticket:
$20
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Seattle Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
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Haunted Walking Ghost Tour:
$21
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Seattle Walking Ghost Tour:
$23
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The Museum of Flight Admission Ticket:
$25
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City Harbor Cruise:
$26
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Aspen may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $16 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about $13 on alcoholic beverages in Seattle per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Seattle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
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Seattle Bar Hunt: Sleepless in Seattle Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Haunted Seattle Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Georgetown Brewery Tour:
$72
-
Bon Vivant Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour:
$98
-
Half-Day Coffee, Chocolate, and Wine Tour:
$99
-
Seattle Coffee, Chocolate and Wine Tour:
$112
-
Seattle Wine Tour (Hourly):
$135
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7-Hour Wenatchee White Water Rafting and Wine Tour:
$145
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From Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tasting:
$209
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Seattle All-Inclusive: Hike Mt. Rainier and Wine Tasting:
$263
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aspen and Seattle, we can see that Aspen is more expensive. And not only is Seattle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Seattle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Seattle 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 Aspen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aspen than you might in Seattle.
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