Should you visit Berkeley or Juneau?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berkeley or Juneau, 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.
Berkeley
Berkeley is considered to be perhaps the most progressive or liberal city in the United States. The town has deep roots in the Free Speech movement of the 1960s. Visitors, students, and locals alike will find an eclectic mix of cultures and viewpoints. The city's free-thinking environment has witnessed the creation of quality attractions, great food from many world cultures, and of course the internationally renowned University of California, Berkeley (also known as "Cal" or "Cal Berkeley").
Juneau
Juneau, Alaska is the capital city of the state, and it is also one of the most beautiful cities. Juneau is surrounded by two large mountains and a channel, so it is the only state capital not accessible by train or car. It is lined with small streets, including what is locally known as “stair streets” which can only be accessed by foot and include walking up 100-300 stairs, depending on which level you're going to. Luckily, most of the sights and stores are on the lower level, though. The only real structures located on the stair streets are residential buildings. Juneau is the most visited city in Alaska, but its population is just over 33,000. Its economy is based mostly on government, tourism, fishing, and mining.
Which city is cheaper, Juneau or Berkeley?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Berkeley is $152, while the average daily cost in Juneau is $128. 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 Berkeley and Juneau in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Berkeley is about $210 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $70. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Juneau the cost is $140 on average.
Food
The price of a meal in Berkeley can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $29 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $12 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
On average, meal and food prices in Juneau cost around $39 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $16.
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Food
Meals for one day
Berkeley $29
Juneau $39
Typical Food prices in Berkeley
Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Berkeley.
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Learn to Make New Orleans-Style Gumbo in a Private Berkeley Cooking Class:
$66
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Best of North Berkeley Food Tour:
$110
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North 3-Hour Food Tour:
$116
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $24 per day to get around in Berkeley.
The average price of local transportation around Juneau is $30 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Juneau
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Juneau:
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Private Departure Transfer to Juneau Airport (JNU):
$48
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Private Arrival Transfer from Juneau Airport (JNU):
$48
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Helena Airport One Way Transfer:
$53
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Airport Transfer via Private Mercedes Sprinter Limo:
$160
Is it cheaper to fly into Berkeley or Juneau?
Prices for flights to both Juneau and Berkeley 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 $24 per person, per day in Berkeley. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Juneau's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $14 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Typical Entertainment prices in Juneau
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Juneau are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Juneau
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Juneau are as follows:
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Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$14
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Juneau Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$15
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Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure in Juneau:
$29
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City Trolley and Macaulay Salmon Hatchery Tour:
$32
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Juneau City and Mendenhall Glacier Combo Tour:
$63
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Juneau City Sightseeing and Mendenhall Glacier Tour:
$63
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Historic Gold Mining and Panning Adventure:
$75
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Historic Gold Mining and Panning Adventure:
$75
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Historic Gold Panning Adventure & Salmon Bake:
$103
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Half-Day Tour to Mendenhall Glacier and King Crab from Juneau:
$114
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Whale Watching Adventure:
$115
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Juneau Whale Watching Tour:
$115
Alcohol
The average person spends about $10 on alcoholic beverages in Berkeley per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about $13 on alcoholic beverages in Juneau per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Juneau
Also in Juneau, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Juneau Shore Excursion: Alaskan Brewery & Tasting Experience:
$63
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berkeley and Juneau, we can see that Berkeley is more expensive. And not only is Juneau much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Juneau would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Juneau 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 Berkeley would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berkeley than you might in Juneau.
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