Which place is cheaper, Aspen or Big Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Big Sur vs. Aspen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Big Sur or Aspen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Big Sur and Aspen can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Big Sur or Aspen?
Big Sur
Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.
However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.
While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Sur $0.00Aspen $293
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Sur is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Aspen is $293. 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 Sur and Aspen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Sur $165Aspen $170
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Sur $330Aspen $340
Compare Hotels in Big Sur and Aspen
Looking for a hotel in Big Sur or Aspen? 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: Aspen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Sur -Aspen $56
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Sur or Aspen?
Prices for flights to both Aspen and Big Sur 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 Sur -Aspen $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Sur -Aspen $45
Tours and Activities in Big Sur
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Big Sur.
- Big Sur Hwy 1 | Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Big Sur California: Pacific Coast Highway Self-Drive Tour: $15
Tours and Activities in Aspen
Here are a few actual costs in Aspen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Aspen's DarkSide Ghost Tour: $40
- Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Scenic Walking Tour: $40
- Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Tour: $40
- Aspen's Past to Present Historic Tour: $40
- City Highlights Walking Tour: $40
- Dark History Ghost-Themed Guided Walking Tour: $40
- From Past to Present History Walking Tour: $40
- Highlights of Aspen Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Sur -Aspen $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Sur and Aspen, we can see that Aspen is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Big Sur.
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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.
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