Which place is cheaper, Anchorage or Big Pine Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Big Pine Key or Anchorage?
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 Big Pine Key and Anchorage. 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: Big Pine Key or Anchorage?
Big Pine Key
If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $144Anchorage $191
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $144, while the average daily cost in Anchorage is $191. 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 Big Pine Key and Anchorage in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Anchorage $117
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Anchorage $234
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Anchorage
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Anchorage? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Anchorage Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Anchorage $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Anchorage
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Anchorage:
- Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $197
- SUV-Private Transfer, Whittier Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
- SUV-Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- Private Departure Transfer - to Anchorage Airport (ANC): $62
- One Way Private Transfer to/from Savannah Int'l: $64
- Anchorage to Seward- Pre-Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $197
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Anchorage?
Prices for flights to both Anchorage and Big Pine Key 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 dayBig Pine Key $42Anchorage $50
Typical Food Prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of dining costs in Anchorage are as follows:
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Bread$4.25
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Breakfast for Two$17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Anchorage
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Anchorage.
- City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Anchorage $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Anchorage are as follows:
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1 Day Bike Rental$33
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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:
- Private Mat-Su Valley, Hatcher Pass & Local Wildlife Tour: $199
- 11 am Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience from Anchorage: $200
- 26 Glacier Tour, Self-Drive from Anchorage, AK: $226
- 3 Hour Ladies Only Kayak Tour in Knik River: $130
- Admissions Ticket - Alaska Native Heritage Center: $29
- Advanced Snowshoeing Adventure: $238
- Alaska 9 Day Ocean Wildlife to Interior Wilderness Adventure: $8,969
- Alaska Wildlife Day Tour with Free Hotel Pickup: $115
- Alaska Wildlife Tour: $110
- Alaska's Most Scenic E-Bike Adventure: $224
- Amazing Anchorage Amazing Race & Tour: $24
- Anchorage Brews Tour: $169
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Anchorage $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Anchorage
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Anchorage:
- Chocolate and Wine Tasting Tour: $109
- Hike Matanuska Glacier w/Alaska Local Honey, Wine Tasting : $285
- Hike Matanuska Glacier w/Alaska Honey, Wine Tasting: $285
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Anchorage, we can see that Anchorage is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Anchorage Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Anchorage?
Anchorage has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Anchorage, 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.
When is the best time to visit Big Pine Key or Anchorage?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Anchorage in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Anchorage. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Anchorage. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the summer, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun.
Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in July than Anchorage. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Pine Key 84°F (29°C)Anchorage 59°F (15°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Anchorage in the Autumn?
Both Anchorage and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.
It's quite cold in Anchorage in the autumn. Big Pine Key is much warmer than Anchorage in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Anchorage fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during autumn. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Big Pine Key. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Pine Key 80°F (27°C)Anchorage 35°F (2°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Anchorage in the Winter?
Both Anchorage and Big Pine Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Anchorage. In the winter, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Anchorage averages at about 15°F (-9°C).
It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the winter, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun.
Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in January than Anchorage. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Pine Key 70°F (21°C)Anchorage 15°F (-9°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Anchorage in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Anchorage. Also, many visitors come to Anchorage in the spring for the natural beauty.
Anchorage can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Anchorage this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during spring. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Pine Key 77°F (25°C)Anchorage 36°F (2°C)
Typical Weather for Anchorage and Big Pine Key
| Big Pine Key | Anchorage | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 49°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 17°F (-8°C) | 1.1 inches (28 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.