A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Boise vs. Portland for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Boise or Portland?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Boise or Portland? 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 Portland?

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.

Portland

Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.

Which place is cheaper, Portland or Boise?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Boise is $146, while the average daily cost in Portland is $180. 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 Boise and Portland in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Boise $75
    Portland $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Boise $150
    Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Boise and Portland

Looking for a hotel in Boise or Portland? 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.

Hotels in Boise


Hotels in Portland


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 Portland Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Boise $34
    Portland $28

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland

Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Portland Airport (PDX): $40
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Portland Airport PDX: $40
  • Arrival Business Class Private Transfer Portland Airport PDX to Portland City: $147

Is it cheaper to fly into Boise or Portland?

Prices for flights to both Portland 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Boise $45
    Portland $43
Typical Food prices in Boise

For Boise, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Hotel
    $59
  • Cracker Barrel Lunch (for 4)
    $55

Typical Food prices in Portland

For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Afternoon Drinks (for 2)
    $9.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland

For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Portland Pizza Tour : $75
  • Walking Pizza Tour: $75
  • Portland Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $105
  • All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $119
  • All-Inclusive Walking Food Tour: $119
  • Secret Food Tour with Local Guide: $122
  • 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River: $126
  • Willamette River 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise: $126

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Boise $30
    Portland $24
Typical Entertainment prices in Boise

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Boise's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • 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:

  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Boise by 3Quest Challenge: $10

Tours and Activities in Portland

For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2-hour Champagne Brunch Cruise on Willamette River: $98
  • 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour: $69
  • 2-Hour Scenic River Boat Tour on the Willamette River: $349
  • 2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River: $84
  • 7 Wonders of the Gorge 3.5-hour Jetboat Cruise: $82
  • 8-Hour Guided Fishing Adventure in Portland, Oregon: $250
  • A Full Day of Wonder: Wine, Waterfalls, and Timberline Tour: $159
  • A Full Day of Wonder: Wine, Waterfalls, and Timberline Tour: $169
  • Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland: $81
  • Airplane Flight Tour over Portland, Oregon: $99
  • Amazing Columbia River Gorge and Portland Air Tour: $279
  • Amazing Private Gorge Air Tour for 3: $219

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Boise $24
    Portland $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Portland

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:

  • Weird Portland Pub Tour: $29
  • Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $40
  • Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
  • Haunted Pub Tour: $45
  • Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $49
  • Eastside Craft Brewery Walking Tour: $59
  • Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $87
  • Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
  • Portland Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
  • Willamette Valley Wine Tour: A tour for the senses: $149
  • Willamette Valley Wine Tour: A journey for the senses: $149

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boise and Portland, we can see that Portland 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 Portland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland than you might in Boise.

Which is Bigger, Boise or Portland?

Portland is bigger, and its population is about 3.7 times larger than the population of Boise. When comparing the population of Boise vs. Portland, 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 and the activities 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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
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Boise vs. Portland Travel Comparison

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