Which city is cheaper, Columbia River Gorge or Boise?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Boise vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Boise or Columbia River Gorge?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Boise or Columbia River Gorge? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Boise or Columbia River Gorge?
Boise
The capital of the U.S. state of Idaho, Boise is an urban center with the adventure of the outdoors just a step away. The metropolis itself has an active arts community and a lively downtown filled with shops and restaurants. Boise is a regional hub for jazz, theater, and indie music, hosting musical festivals throughout the year and several theater groups that operate in the city. There is even a Department of Arts and History that was created with the goal of promoting the arts, culture, and history of the city among its residents and visitors.
Columbia River Gorge
Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.
The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBoise $116Columbia River Gorge $143
The average daily cost (per person) in Boise is $116, while the average daily cost in Columbia River Gorge is $143. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Boise and Columbia River Gorge in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoise $60Columbia River Gorge $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoise $120Columbia River Gorge $142
Compare Hotels in Boise and Columbia River Gorge
Looking for a hotel in Boise or Columbia River Gorge? 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: Boise Hotel Prices and Columbia River Gorge Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boise $27Columbia River Gorge $62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boise
Also for Boise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Boise Air Terminal Airport One Way Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Boise or Columbia River Gorge?
Prices for flights to both Columbia River Gorge and Boise 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 dayBoise $36Columbia River Gorge $37
Typical Food prices in Boise
For Boise, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Hotel$59
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Cracker Barrel Lunch (for 4)$55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boise
For Boise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vegan Food Tour Experience in Boise: $91
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Boise $24Columbia River Gorge $16
Typical Entertainment prices in Boise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Boise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Edwards Boise Imax$27
Tours and Activities in Boise
For Boise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Boise Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Sunday Brunch Tour in Downtown Boise: $77
- Culinary and Cultural Tour of Boise: $81
- Boise Booze and Bites Cocktail Tour: $91
Tours and Activities in Columbia River Gorge
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia River Gorge are as follows:
- Cascade Locks: 1-Hour Columbia River Sightseeing Cruise: $50
- Cascade Locks: Columbia Gorge Sunday Brunch Cruise: $94
- Portland: Columbia Gorge Flight Tour: $99
- Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoise $19Columbia River Gorge $9.49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boise and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Columbia River Gorge is more expensive. And not only is Boise much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boise would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boise 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 Columbia River Gorge would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Columbia River Gorge than you might in Boise.
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