Which place is cheaper, Vail 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 Vail?
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 Vail. 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 Vail?
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!
Vail
Vail is one of the premier ski resort areas in the United States. Located in central Colorado, Vail is not far from Denver and situated in the heart of the Rockies. Here you'll find a quaint mountain town designed around tourism, especially for the winter, although plenty of visitors come in the warmer months, too.
High-end hotels, condos, and other accommodation options are surrounded by shops and restaurants that are all somewhat expensive compared to other costs in the United States. Because of this, Vail is definitely not considered an "affordable" travel option for many. However, good deals can be found if you look around and do some research.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $144Vail $291
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $144, while the average daily cost in Vail is $291. 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 Vail in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Vail $174
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Vail $348
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Vail
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Vail? 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: Vail Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Vail $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vail
Also for Vail, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vail/Beaver Creek/Avon to Denver Airport DEN - Departure Transfer: $219
- Private Eagle County Regional / Vail Airport Transfer to Beaver Creek: $299
- Private Eagle County / Vail Airport Transfer to Vail: $299
- Private Departure Transfer to Vail Airport EGE: $128
- Private Arrival Transfer from Vail Airport EGE: $156
- Eagle County Regional (EGE) to Steamboat Springs-Arrival Transfer: $121
- Eagle County Airport(EGE) to Steamboat - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
- Eagle County Airport to Vail/Beaver Creek/Avon-Arrival Transfer: $115
- Eagle County Airport to Steamboat Springs-Round-Trip Transfer: $121
- Eagle County Airport to Steamboat - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $154
- Eagle County Airport to Breckenridge Keystone: Arrival Transfer: $93
- Eagle Airport (EGE) to Glenwood Resorts Round-Trip Transfer: $154
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Vail?
Prices for flights to both Vail 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 $42Vail $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Vail $133
Tours and Activities in Vail
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vail.
- Bike Tour or Mountain Bike down Vail Mountain: $120
- Dillon Marina & Shopping Tour: $267
- Inflatable Kayak Adventure Colorado River: Half Day Guided Tour : $109
- Save the Mountain Escape Room Adventure: $45
- Smartphone Driving Tour between Denver & Vail / Breckenridge: $7.99
- Stand Up Paddle Board Colorado River Adventure: Guided Half Day : $98
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Vail $9.79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Vail, we can see that Vail 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 Vail would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vail 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 Vail Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Vail?
Big Pine Key has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Vail. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Vail, 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.
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.