Should you visit Austin or Anchorage?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Austin or Anchorage, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Austin
Located in the Texas Hill Country, Austin is the capital city of the state. It is a relatively small city with a compact downtown area and many sprawling suburbs stretching out along the interstate. Austin prides itself on its eclectic culture and alternative vibe which is epitomized by the city's unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird." The University of Texas at Austin is also located downtown. The school's large student population helps give the city a youthful feel with a lively nightlife and no shortage of activities on weekends. The city is also the self proclaimed live music capital of the country. As such, it has many music venues and bars, most of which are clustered around the 6th Street area downtown. There are also many free outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months.
Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It's known for its cultural sites and also as a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains. From the sparkling waters of Cook Inlet to the tallest peaks of the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage encompasses incredible adventures and metropolitan appeals that are larger than life. With 1,500 moose, incredible national parks nearby and 60 glaciers a short drive away, it's a dream destination in Alaska.
Which city is cheaper, Anchorage or Austin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Austin is $114, while the average daily cost in Anchorage is $153. 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 Austin and Anchorage in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Austin is about $90 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Anchorage is $186. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
The average traveler spends about $28 per day in Austin for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
In Anchorage travelers spend around $40 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Austin $28
Anchorage $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Austin.
-
Austin Food Tour by Bus with Live Band On Board:
$93
-
Austin Beer and Food Tour by Bike:
$97
-
Private Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin:
$103
-
East Austin Urban Farms & Brewery Food Tour by Bike:
$106
-
Wood Fired Dinner Series at the Austin Winery:
$159
-
Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin w/ Private Tour Option:
$221
-
Secret Food Tour:
$288
Typical Food prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of dining costs in Anchorage are as follows:
-
Bread
$4.25
-
Breakfast for Two
$17
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Austin is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $38 per person, per day, on local transportation in Austin.
The cost of a taxi ride in Anchorage is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $22 per person, per day, on local transportation in Anchorage.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
-
Private Departure Transfer to Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
-
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport One Way Transfer:
$69
-
Private Airport and Hotel Transfer Services in Austin:
$86
-
Austin City to Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) - Departure Private Transfer:
$93
-
Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$93
-
Transfer from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Austin:
$109
-
Private Austin Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$114
-
Private Austin Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$128
-
Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$187
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Anchorage
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Anchorage:
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Anchorage accommodation - Arrival Private Transfer:
$34
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Anchorage accommodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$67
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Seward Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer:
$386
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Seward Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$771
-
Anchorage accommodation to Anchorage Airport (ANC) - Departure Private Transfer:
$34
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC:
$54
-
Private Departure Transfer - to Anchorage Airport (ANC):
$54
-
Private Transfer Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Whittier Cruise Port:
$209
-
Private Transfer Anchorage Airport ANC to Seward Cruise Port:
$292
-
Private Transfer: Anchorage to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC):
$622
-
Private Transfer: Seward Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport (ANC):
$292
-
Private Transfer: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) to Anchorage:
$622
Is it cheaper to fly into Austin or Anchorage?
Prices for flights to both Anchorage and Austin 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
Entertainment and activities in Austin typically cost an average of $22 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Entertainment and activities in Anchorage typically cost an average of $24 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Typical Entertainment prices in Austin
Here are a few typical costs in Austin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Austin
Here are a few actual costs in Austin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Austin Digital Private Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$11
-
Austin Trails Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$20
-
Austin Capital Photo Tour:
$21
-
Haunted History Ghost Tour:
$21
-
Double Decker Austin Single Loop Sightseeing Tour:
$23
-
Spy Adventure: Operation Mindfall:
$25
-
Spy Adventure at the Domain in Austin:
$25
-
Operation Mindfall, A Spy Adventure in Austin:
$25
-
Austin Street Art Walking Tour:
$25
-
Haunted Austin Walking History Tour:
$26
-
Austin and Hill Country Sightseeing Tour:
$26
-
Downtown Austin Photo Tour:
$26
Typical Entertainment prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Anchorage are as follows:
-
1 Day Bike Rental
$33
-
1/2 Day Rafting Trip
$105
Tours and Activities in Anchorage
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Anchorage are as follows:
-
Seward: Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$14
-
Anchorage Museum General Admission Ticket:
$20
-
1-Hour Trolley Tour:
$20
-
Anchorage Trolley Tour:
$21
-
Anchorage City Tour w/ Taste of Wild Smoked Salmon & Reindeer Sausage:
$39
-
Winter - Anchorage All Around City Tour:
$49
-
Alaska Native Historic Cultural City Tour of Anchorage:
$59
-
Gold Panning Self-Guided Tour:
$69
-
Turnagain Arm Tour: "A Must See Destination":
$69
-
Beginner’s Snowshoeing Adventure:
$81
-
Coastal Trail 3-Hour City Bike Tour:
$85
-
Explore Portage Valley a Self-Guided Tour:
$99
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Austin may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $23 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about $16 on alcoholic beverages in Anchorage per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Austin
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Austin:
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Austin Bar Hunt: Sixth Street Spree: Austin Bar Crawl:
$12
-
More than a Pub Crawl:
$24
-
Haunted Austin Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Brewery Tours through East Austin via Motorized Pedicab:
$40
-
Austin Pedicab Brewery Tour with Beer Flights Included Option:
$46
-
The Brew Bus: Austin Brewery Tour with Live Band:
$81
-
Half-Day Craft Beer and Brewery Tour:
$82
-
Private Texas Hill Country Half-Day Wine Tour from Austin:
$140
-
Texas Hill Country Wine Tour by Limousine:
$175
-
Customizable Austin Distillery and Brewery Tour:
$206
-
Half-Day Brewery and Craft Beer Tour in Austin with Tastings:
$240
Sample the Local Flavors in Anchorage
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Anchorage:
-
Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings:
$115
-
Anchorage Bike and Brewery Tour:
$219
-
Alaska Brewery and Railroad Experience from Anchorage:
$349
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Austin and Anchorage, we can see that Anchorage is more expensive. And not only is Austin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Austin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Austin 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 Anchorage would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Anchorage than you might in Austin.
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