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

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Should you visit Columbus or Anchorage?

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

Should I visit Columbus or Anchorage? 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: Columbus or Anchorage?

Columbus

The capital city of Ohio, Columbus sits at the meeting point of America's Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Plains. It is also home of Ohio State University, which is a major financial and economic force in the city. You'll likely need a car to navigate the city, although there is a bus system, COTA, which can take you to some of Columbus' highlights.

Anchorage

Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It's known for its cultural sites and also as a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains. From the sparkling waters of Cook Inlet to the tallest peaks of the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage encompasses incredible adventures and metropolitan appeals that are larger than life. With 1,500 moose, incredible national parks nearby and 60 glaciers a short drive away, it's a dream destination in Alaska.

Which city is cheaper, Anchorage or Columbus?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Columbus is $126, while the average daily cost in Anchorage 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 Columbus and Anchorage in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Columbus $58
    Anchorage $93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Columbus $116
    Anchorage $186
Compare Hotels in Columbus and Anchorage

Looking for a hotel in Columbus or Anchorage? 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 Columbus


Hotels in Anchorage


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: Columbus Hotel Prices and Anchorage Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Columbus $40
    Anchorage $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus

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

  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
  • Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer: $87
  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $174

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Anchorage

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Anchorage:

  • Private Transfer: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) to Anchorage: $622
  • Private Transfer: Seward Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport (ANC): $292
  • Private Transfer: Anchorage to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC): $622
  • Private Transfer Anchorage Airport ANC to Seward Cruise Port: $292
  • Private Transfer Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Whittier Cruise Port: $209
  • Private Departure Transfer - to Anchorage Airport (ANC): $54
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC: $54
  • Anchorage accommodation to Anchorage Airport (ANC) - Departure Private Transfer: $34
  • Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Seward Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $771
  • Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Seward Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $386
  • Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Anchorage accommodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $67
  • Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Anchorage accommodation - Arrival Private Transfer: $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Columbus or Anchorage?

Prices for flights to both Anchorage and Columbus 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
    Columbus $39
    Anchorage $40

Typical Food prices in Anchorage

Some typical examples of dining costs in Anchorage are as follows:


  • Bread
    $4.25
  • Breakfast for Two
    $17

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Columbus $37
    Anchorage $24

Tours and Activities in Columbus

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

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus: $11
  • Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Ticket: $21
  • Central Park Bike Tour: $53
  • New York City: 3-Hour City Highlights Guided Bike Tour: $60

Typical Entertainment prices in Anchorage

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Anchorage are as follows:


  • 1 Day Bike Rental
    $33
  • 1/2 Day Rafting Trip
    $105

Tours and Activities in Anchorage

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Anchorage are as follows:

  • 2 Hour eBike Adventure along Tony Knowles, Chester Creek Trails and Cook Inlet: $120
  • 30 Minute Flightseeing Tour from Girdwood: $326
  • 9 Day Alaska Wildlife Tour w. Bear+Whale Viewing, 2 Nat'l Parks, Boutique Hotels: $5,985
  • Alaska 7-Day Brown Bears and Denali Adventure from Anchorage: $5,899
  • Alaska Crafted Tour and Railroad Adventure: $339
  • Alaska Helicopter Tour with Glacier Landing - 60 mins: $390
  • Alaska Helicopter and Glacier Dogsled Tour: $527
  • Alaska Native Historic Cultural City Tour of Anchorage: $59
  • Alaska Wildlife Day Tour with Free Hotel Pickup: $105
  • Alaska Wildlife Tour: $99
  • Alaska: 7-Day Brown Bear and Denali National Park Adventure: $5,899
  • Alyeska Tram - A Self-Guided Tour: $99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Columbus $16
    Anchorage $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Anchorage

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Anchorage:

  • Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings: $115
  • Anchorage Bike and Brewery Tour: $219
  • Alaska Brewery and Railroad Experience from Anchorage: $349

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Columbus or Anchorage?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Columbus or Anchorage in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Columbus as well as Anchorage. Additionally, most visitors come to Anchorage for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Columbus is much warmer than Anchorage in the summer. The temperature in Columbus is usually 77°F (25°C) in July, and Anchorage stays around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Anchorage. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbus this time of the year. In the summer, Columbus often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Anchorage. Columbus gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun.

Columbus receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbus usually gets more rain in July than Anchorage. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Columbus 77°F (25°C) 
    Anchorage 59°F (15°C)

Should I visit Columbus or Anchorage in the Autumn?

Both Anchorage and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. In the autumn, Columbus is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Columbus in October are around 57°F (14°C), and Anchorage is about 35°F (2°C).

Columbus usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during autumn. Columbus gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Columbus usually receives around the same amount of rain as Anchorage. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Columbus 57°F (14°C) 
    Anchorage 35°F (2°C)

Should I visit Columbus or Anchorage in the Winter?

Both Anchorage and Columbus during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.

It's quite cold in Anchorage in the winter. The weather in Columbus can be very cold. In January, Columbus is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Temperatures in Columbus average around 30°F (-1°C), and Anchorage stays around 15°F (-9°C).

In the winter, Columbus often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Columbus gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun.

Columbus usually gets more rain in January than Anchorage. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Columbus 30°F (-1°C) 
    Anchorage 15°F (-9°C)

Should I visit Columbus or Anchorage in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Anchorage.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Anchorage. Columbus is much warmer than Anchorage in the spring. The temperature in Columbus is usually 54°F (12°C) in April, and Anchorage stays around 36°F (2°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Anchorage this time of the year. Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during spring. Columbus gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Columbus usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Columbus 54°F (12°C) 
    Anchorage 36°F (2°C)

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Columbus

Columbus Anchorage
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 15°F (-9°C) 0.7 inches (19 mm)
Feb 33°F (1°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 19°F (-7°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
Mar 45°F (7°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 26°F (-3°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm)
Apr 54°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm) 36°F (2°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm)
May 65°F (18°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 47°F (8°C) 0.8 inches (20 mm)
Jun 73°F (23°C) 4 inches (102 mm) 55°F (13°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Jul 77°F (25°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 59°F (15°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm)
Aug 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Sep 69°F (20°C) 3 inches (76 mm) 49°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Oct 57°F (14°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 35°F (2°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Nov 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 22°F (-6°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Dec 35°F (2°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 17°F (-8°C) 1.1 inches (28 mm)


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Columbus vs. Anchorage Travel Comparison

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