A Travel Price Comparison for Colorado Colorado Springs vs. Boulder for Families, Nightlife, Couples, and Skiing

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Should you visit Colorado Springs or Boulder?

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 Colorado Springs and Boulder can help you decide which place is right for you.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a healthy, welcoming, and friendly mountain town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife.

Boulder

Boulder is a biker-friendly, outdoorsy, and nature-filled city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

How is Colorado Springs different from Boulder?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Is Colorado Springs or Boulder better for Skiing?

Both Colorado Springs and Boulder are destinations which offer snow skiing.

Locals like to visit Colorado Springs to take advantage of their winter sports. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.

Boulder is a fun local destination for snow skiers. The town offers access within an hour or two to several great ski resorts including Eldora Mountain, Vail, and Breckenridge.


Is Colorado Springs or Boulder better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Colorado Springs or Boulder has a better nightlife scene.

Colorado Springs has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town has a number of breweries and a great craft beer selection.

If you're looking for night time activities Boulder has a few options to choose from. The town has breweries, craft beer, and plenty to do in the evening. Check out The Bitter Bar or License No. 1 for a local vibe.

Is Colorado Springs or Boulder better for Families?

You'll find kid-friendly activities in either Colorado Springs or Boulder.

Colorado Springs is a very family-friendly place to visit. The town is conveniently located near many outdoor adventures that are family-friendly. Popular activities include Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Dinosaur Resource Center, and Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Boulder offers lots of family activities. The city has parks, playgrounds, a planetarium, and climbing gyms that are fun for kids of all ages.

Is Colorado Springs or Boulder better for Couples?

Both Colorado Springs and Boulder are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Colorado Springs is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy hiking and exploring nature together will love visiting this town and the areas nearby.

Boulder makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This is a great city for couples who love outdoor adventures, hiking, rock climbing, and cycling.

Is Colorado Springs or Boulder better for Public Transit?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Colorado Springs and Boulder.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Colorado Springs. While there are buses, many people come to the area to visit Pikes Peak or several of the other nearby parks, all of which require a car.

Public transit is quite limited in Boulder. There are buses that run around town.


Is Colorado Springs or Boulder a more walkable city?

Colorado Springs and Boulder both are comparable when exploring on foot.

Colorado Springs is generally not very walkable. While the downtown area is walkable, you'll really want to have a car so you can explore the areas outside of town.

Boulder is a somewhat walkable place. The city has some nice walkable areas and it is very bike friendly.

Colorado Springs and Boulder: Pros and Cons

Colorado Springs
Pros
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Cons
  • Less popular for skiing
Boulder
Pros
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Cons
  • Less popular for skiing


Should I spend more time in Boulder or Colorado Springs?

How long in Colorado Springs or Boulder?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Colorado Springs and Boulder. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Colorado Springs is 2-3 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Boulder is 2-3 days.


  • How many days in Colorado Springs or Boulder? Ideal Length of Stay
    Colorado Springs 2-3 
    Boulder 2-3

One day in Colorado Springs or Boulder?

In Colorado Springs, you'll find nightlife. This mountain town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find food and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of Boulder. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Colorado Springs or Boulder?

In Colorado Springs, you'll find nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Colorado Springs has to offer.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the biker-friendly city of Boulder. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Colorado Springs or Boulder?

Colorado Springs is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Boulder is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time here unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.


A week in Colorado Springs or Boulder?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Colorado Springs. One week may feel like too much time here unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Boulder is a great place to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered around the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Which city is cheaper, Boulder or Colorado Springs?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Colorado Springs is $124, while the average daily cost in Boulder is $153. 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 Colorado Springs and Boulder in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Colorado Springs $65
    Boulder $82
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Colorado Springs $130
    Boulder $164

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Colorado Springs $31
    Boulder $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Colorado Springs or Boulder?

Prices for flights to both Boulder and Colorado Springs 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
    Colorado Springs $36
    Boulder $43
Typical Food prices in Colorado Springs

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Colorado Springs:


  • Cold Stone Ice Cream (family of 4)
    $22
  • Snacks at the Zoo (family of 4)
    $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Colorado Springs

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Colorado Springs.

  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Colorado Springs: $77

Typical Food prices in Boulder

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Boulder:


  • 2 Coffees
    $8.75
  • Nice Dinner for Two
    $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Colorado Springs $27
    Boulder $26

Tours and Activities in Colorado Springs

Here are a few actual costs in Colorado Springs for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Hour Segway Tour in Cheyenne Cañon and Broadmoor Area: $99
  • Broadmoor History Segway Tour: $69
  • Old West High County 4x4 Tour: $187
  • Combo Course Zipline Tour: $232
  • Fins Course Scenic Zipline Tour: $164
  • Garden of the Gods Segway Tour through Juniper Loop: $118
  • Jeep Tour - Foothills & Garden of the Gods: $107
  • Lovell Gulch Hike with Experienced Guide: $99
  • Old West High Country 4X4 Jeep Tour: $180
  • Scenic Bike Tour Of Colorado Springs: $99
  • Segway Tour of Cheyenne Cañon Art, History and Nature: $69
  • Woods Course Zipline Tour in Seven Falls: $131

Tours and Activities in Boulder

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Boulder.

  • Listen to a Tour Guide While you Drive between Boulder and Vail: $3.75
  • Downtown An audio tour around this weird and beautiful town: $5.00
  • A natural healing experience in a private epsom salt bath.: $16
  • Astronomy Tour: $41
  • Holistic & Medicinal Tour: $42
  • Amazing Boulder Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
  • Wild West-End Hiking Tour: $49
  • Half-Day eBike Mural Tour in Boulder: $90
  • Electric Cruiser Fat Tire Bike Tour - Best of Boulder: $97
  • Best of Boulder E-Bike Tour: $104
  • High-Vibes Foodie Tour: $106
  • Denver/Rocky Mountain National Park Tour: $139

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Colorado Springs $19
    Boulder $22

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colorado Springs and Boulder, we can see that Boulder is more expensive. And not only is Colorado Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Colorado Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Colorado Springs 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 Boulder would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boulder than you might in Colorado Springs.

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Colorado Springs vs. Boulder Travel Comparison

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