Which place is cheaper, Jasper National Park or Columbia River Gorge?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Columbia River Gorge or Jasper National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Columbia River Gorge or Jasper National Park, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Columbia River Gorge or Jasper National Park?
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.
Jasper National Park
An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jasper National Park, located in Canada's Alberta Province, is one of a few national and provincial parks that showcase the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to Canada, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColumbia River Gorge $179Jasper National Park $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Columbia River Gorge is $179, while the average daily cost in Jasper National Park is $82. 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 Columbia River Gorge and Jasper National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColumbia River Gorge $89Jasper National Park $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColumbia River Gorge $178Jasper National Park $90
Compare Hotels in Columbia River Gorge and Jasper National Park
Looking for a hotel in Columbia River Gorge or Jasper National Park? 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: Jasper National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Columbia River Gorge $78Jasper National Park $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jasper National Park
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jasper National Park are as follows:
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Park Pass$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jasper National Park
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jasper National Park:
- Jasper Thermal Resorts to Calgary Airport YYC Departure Transfer: $170
- Jasper Thermal to Edmonton Airport (YEG) Departure Transfer: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia River Gorge or Jasper National Park?
Prices for flights to both Jasper National Park and Columbia River Gorge 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 dayColumbia River Gorge $46Jasper National Park $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jasper National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Jasper National Park.
- Half-Day Jasper Culture Food Tour: $107
- Peak Nic - A hike and an outdoor cooking lesson: $119
- 4-Hours E-Bike Food Tour : $201
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Columbia River Gorge $20Jasper National Park $7.75
Tours and Activities in Jasper National Park
Here are a few actual costs in Jasper National Park for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Icefields Parkway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Live Theater Show Ticket 'From Jasper with love': $24
- From Jasper: Jasper National Park Wildlife Discovery Tour: $53
- Planetarium and Telescope Combo Tour : $54
- Maligne Canyon Hiking Tour: $60
- Morning Jasper National Park Wildlife Tour: $64
- Jasper Evening Wildlife Tour: $64
- Winter Wildlife Discovery Tour: $64
- Jasper National Park Tour: Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake and Spirit Island: $64
- Maligne Lake Cruise: $67
- Jasper Wildlife and Waterfalls Tour with Maligne Lake Hike: $72
- Class 3 Sunwapta River Rafting Adventure in Jasper: $94
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColumbia River Gorge $12Jasper National Park $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia River Gorge and Jasper National Park, we can see that Columbia River Gorge is more expensive. And not only is Jasper National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jasper National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jasper National Park 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 Jasper National Park.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Columbia River Gorge Expensive? and Is Jasper National Park Expensive?.
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.