Which place is cheaper, Seattle or Columbia River Gorge?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia River Gorge vs. Seattle for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Columbia River Gorge or Seattle?
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 Seattle, 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 Seattle?
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.
Seattle
Situated on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington, Seattle is the largest city in the United States Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the water and mountains and filled with evergreen trees. It's also the home of some famous American institutions including Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and Microsoft. The population of almost 700,000 continues to grow. As of 2014, the city was considered the fastest growing major city in the United States. The entire metropolitan area has about 3.6 million residents, making it the 15th largest metro area in the US. The natural beauty, growing economy, and educational base give Seattle a youthful vibe that keep the city young and energetic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColumbia River Gorge $179Seattle $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Columbia River Gorge is $179, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $205. 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 Seattle in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColumbia River Gorge $89Seattle $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColumbia River Gorge $178Seattle $240
Compare Hotels in Columbia River Gorge and Seattle
Looking for a hotel in Columbia River Gorge or Seattle? 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: Seattle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Columbia River Gorge $78Seattle $30
Typical Local Transportation prices in Seattle
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
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Lightrail from Airport (for 2)$5.50
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Roundtrip Ferry to Bainbridge Island (for 2)$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seattle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
- One-Way Transfer: SeaTac Airport to Seattle Cruise Piers 66 & 91: $28
- One-Way Transfer: Cruise Piers to Airport or Airport Hotels: $28
- One-Way Transfer: SeaTac Hotels to Seattle Cruise Terminals : $33
- Seattle Tacoma Airport to Summit at Snoqualmie Arrival Transfer: $35
- Private Arrival Transfer In Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) : $40
- Private One-way Airport Transfer(Seattle Airport To/From Seattle): $58
- Seattle Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer by Executive Sedan : $63
- Summit at Snoqualmie to Seattle Tacoma Airp. Round-Trip Transfer: $70
- Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) to Seattle - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Seattle to Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Airport (SEA) - Departure Transfer: $75
- Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) to Smith Cove Terminal - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia River Gorge or Seattle?
Prices for flights to both Seattle 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 $46Seattle $51
Typical Food prices in Seattle
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
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Expresso & cookie at Pier 70$7.00
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Cashews at Pike Place Market$6.00
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6 Mini Donuts at Pike Place Market$3.25
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Chinese Lunch in International District (for 2)$21
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Breakfast at Lowel's in Pike Place Market (for 2)$32
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Breakfast at French Cafe (for 2)$37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seattle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
- Bite-Sized Seattle History & Food Tour: $15
- 2-Hour Signature Food Tour of Pike Place Market: $55
- Taste Pike Place Walking Food Tour: $63
- Pike Place Market: Walking Food Tour: $66
- Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours: $67
- Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour: $67
- Street Food Tour of South Lake Union: $75
- Ballard Waterfront Walking Food Tour: $75
- Plant Based Food Tour in Pike Place Market: $76
- Small Group Cooking Class: $83
- Secret Food Tours Seattle: $85
- Secret Food Tours: Seattle Pike Place Market: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Columbia River Gorge $20Seattle $16
Tours and Activities in Seattle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
- Experience Mining For Genuine Montana Sapphires in Seattle: $5.00
- Historic Ballard: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Exploring Seattle's Quirky History: $5.20
- Self Guided 'Trolling for Treasures in Fremont' Solo Walking Tours: $6.50
- Space Needle Area Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
- Seattle's Space Needle Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
- Downtown Seattle Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Seattle by Crazy Dash: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Everett by Operation City Quest: $10
- Downtown Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $13
- Seattle Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Uncover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Smith Tower Straight Up Observatory Access Ticket: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColumbia River Gorge $12Seattle $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Seattle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
- Guided Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Seattle Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $38
- Haunted Seattle Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $39
- Yakima craft brewery tour: $42
- Bodacious Bordeaux Wine Tasting Pass in Woodinville: $45
- Woodinville's Downtown Wine Tasting Pass: $65
- Brewery and Restaurant Tour of Historic Seattle Neighborhood: $109
- Bon Vivant Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour : $120
- Snoqualmie Falls + Wine Tasting: All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour: $227
- From Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tasting: $228
- Seattle All-Inclusive: Hike Mt. Rainier and Wine Tasting: $320
- Hourly City and or Wine Tours of Seattle Wa: $365
When comparing the travel costs between Columbia River Gorge and Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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.
Which is Bigger, Columbia River Gorge or Seattle?
Seattle is bigger, and its population is about 49.5 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the population of Columbia River Gorge vs. Seattle, 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.
When is the best time to visit Columbia River Gorge or Seattle?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Columbia River Gorge or Seattle in the Summer?
Both Seattle and Columbia River Gorge are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.
In July, Columbia River Gorge is generally around the same temperature as Seattle. Daily temperatures in Columbia River Gorge average around 68°F (20°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
It's quite sunny in Seattle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. Columbia River Gorge usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during summer. Columbia River Gorge gets 338 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Columbia River Gorge usually receives less rain than Seattle. Columbia River Gorge gets 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyColumbia River Gorge 68°F (20°C)Seattle 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Columbia River Gorge or Seattle in the Autumn?
Both Seattle and Columbia River Gorge during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Columbia River Gorge is around the same temperature as Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbia River Gorge averages around 55°F (13°C) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
In the autumn, Columbia River Gorge often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Columbia River Gorge gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.
Columbia River Gorge usually gets less rain in October than Seattle. Columbia River Gorge gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberColumbia River Gorge 55°F (13°C)Seattle 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Columbia River Gorge or Seattle in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia River Gorge and Seattle. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Columbia River Gorge. In the winter, Columbia River Gorge is cooler than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbia River Gorge in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).
Columbia River Gorge usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during winter. Columbia River Gorge gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.
Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. Columbia River Gorge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Columbia River Gorge usually receives around the same amount of rain as Seattle. Columbia River Gorge gets 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryColumbia River Gorge 40°F (4°C)Seattle 42°F (5°C)
Should I visit Columbia River Gorge or Seattle in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Columbia River Gorge as well as Seattle. Additionally, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Columbia River Gorge is generally around the same temperature as Seattle. Daily temperatures in Columbia River Gorge average around 51°F (11°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia River Gorge this time of the year. In the spring, Columbia River Gorge often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Columbia River Gorge gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.
Columbia River Gorge usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Seattle. Columbia River Gorge gets 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilColumbia River Gorge 51°F (11°C)Seattle 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Seattle and Columbia River Gorge
| Columbia River Gorge | Seattle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) | 42°F (5°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Feb | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Apr | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Jun | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jul | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Aug | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Sep | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Oct | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
| Dec | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 6 inches (152 mm) |
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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.
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