Should you visit Breckenridge or Sun Valley?
Should I visit Breckenridge or Sun Valley? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Breckenridge
Breckenridge is a charming ski town that is notable for its quaint downtown area and impressive ski slopes. Most visitors head to Breckenridge to enjoy the winter ski season, so you can expect prices to jump during these times, but Breckenridge also has a lot to offer visitors during the warmer seasons as well. Hiking, mountain biking, and fly fishing are all popular activities during these times, and the prices are usually a bit more moderate.
Sun Valley
Sun Valley is a beautiful resort city in the Wood River Valley area of Idaho, most famous for becoming a snowy wonderland every winter. The area was actually named the 2nd best ski resort by Ski Magazine and was a favorite place of escape for Ernest Hemingway. Whether you visit in winter or summer, you're always met with beautiful scenery that's perfect for exploring. The best time of year for winter activities is December-March, while June-August is best for hiking and exploring the area.
Which city is cheaper, Sun Valley or Breckenridge?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Breckenridge is $160, while the average daily cost in Sun Valley is $147. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Breckenridge and Sun Valley in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $85. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Breckenridge the cost is $170 on average.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $152 for a double occupancy room in Sun Valley.
Food
The average traveler spends about $49 per day in Breckenridge for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Food in Sun Valley costs travelers about $38 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Breckenridge $49
Sun Valley $38
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Breckenridge is $15 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The cost of a taxi ride in Sun Valley is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $49 per person, per day, on local transportation in Sun Valley.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Breckenridge
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Breckenridge:
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Breckenridge to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer:
$404
Entertainment
Breckenridge's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $75 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Entertainment and activities in Sun Valley typically cost an average of $33 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Breckenridge
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Breckenridge are as follows:
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Listen to a Tour Guide While You Drive between Breckenridge and Denver:
$3.75
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Breckenridge Scavenger Hunt: Breckenridge Adventure:
$12
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Breckenridge Tours - Strange but True:
$24
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Breckenridge Tours - Ghostly Tales:
$31
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Real Gold Mine Tour with, gold panning and more:
$35
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1 hour Axe Throwing experience with a Coach:
$44
Alcohol
The average person spends about $6.23 on alcoholic beverages in Breckenridge per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Sun Valley may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $39 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Breckenridge
Also in Breckenridge, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Fat Bike Beer & Distillery Tour:
$85
When comparing the travel costs between Breckenridge and Sun Valley, we can see that Breckenridge is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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