Which place is cheaper, Denver 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. Denver for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Big Sur or Denver?
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 Denver can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Big Sur or Denver?
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.
Denver
The capital of Colorado, Denver is commonly referred to as "The Mile-High City" because it is at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level. It also sits where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, giving a beautiful backdrop for this metropolitan city. The city is the largest in the Rocky Mountains with a population of more than 600,000 and nearly 3 million in the metropolitan area. Denver is a cosmopolitan city with cowboy roots. It's cultural scene is thriving, and the outdoor recreation in the area is superb. Denver is a rapidly growing city but with change comes challenges. Urban sprawl is a problem and the city's infrastructure has reached its limits. Still, efforts are in place to maintain the character and personality that Denver is known for.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Sur $0.00Denver $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Sur is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Denver is $218. 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 Denver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Sur $165Denver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Sur $330Denver $174
Compare Hotels in Big Sur and Denver
Looking for a hotel in Big Sur or Denver? 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: Denver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Sur -Denver $101
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
- Private Denver International Airport Transfer to Breckenridge or Keystone: $695
- Denver Airport to Vail Transfer: $599
- Denver Airport (DEN): Private Transfer to Denver hotels: $250
- Bergen International Airport: Private One Way Transfer: $100
- Transfer in Private Car from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Downtown: $72
- Private Departure Transfer to Denver Airport (DEN): $44
- Private Arrival Transfer - from Denver Airport (DEN): $44
- Private Arrival Transfer - Denver International Airport (DEN) : $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Sur or Denver?
Prices for flights to both Denver 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 -Denver $42
Typical Food prices in Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
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Sushi Dinner (for 2)$61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
- Downtown Denver Food Tour: $75
- RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $75
- Arts District Walking Food Tour: $75
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver, CO: $82
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Sur -Denver $52
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 Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
- Small-Group Cocktail Tour in Denver: $99
- 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour: $69
- 2 Hour LoDo Historic Walking Tour in Denver: $28
- 3 Hour Whiskey and History Tour: $99
- 7 Day Tour from Denver with Yellowstone Grand Teton and Salt Lake: $1,211
- Best of Denver Tour: $27
- Best of Denver Tour: $30
- Bicycle Tour of Downtown Denver.: $79
- Bike and Brew Tour: $79
- Breckenridge Ultimate Full Day Mountain Tour from Denver: $129
- Breckenridge: Ultimate Mountain Tour from Denver: $138
- Cheesman Park Ghost Tour: $28
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Sur -Denver $5.31
Sample the Local Flavors in Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 4-Hour Downtown Denver Pub Crawl: $25
- Half-Day Pub Crawl Through Denver RiNo Arts District : $30
- California Vs. Colorado Wine Tasting: $30
- Denver Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Haunted Denver Ghost & Pub Walking Tour - Lower Downtown (LoDo): $38
- South Broadway (SoBo) Haunted Denver Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $38
- Golden Ghosts & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $45
- Wine Tasting with Cheese, Charcuterie, and Dessert : $74
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Sur and Denver, we can see that Denver 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 Denver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denver 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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