Which place is cheaper, Fairbanks or Denali National Park?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Alaska Denali National Park vs. Fairbanks for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Denali National Park or Fairbanks?
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 Denali National Park and Fairbanks can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Denali National Park or Fairbanks?
Denali National Park
There is a place in Alaska, 240 miles wide, where you can be a part of the wild frontier. The expansive and untouched area of Denali National Park welcomes thousands of visitors ever year with stunning natural wonders and incredible wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou and more.
As home to North America's tallest peak, Denali has attracted nature adventurers from all over the world. Established in 1917 as wildlife refuge, Denali National Park contains areas of tundra and taiga. Taiga zones are covered in evergreen, spruce and aspen trees, while tundra zones are full of miniaturized versions of the plants including flowers, mosses and shrubs.
Remember that the weather changes without warning in Denali. It is a well known to the locals that you can expect sun, wind, rain and clouds in the same day. Pack accordingly.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is the only 'city' in the interior region of Alaska, and the largest settlement for hundreds of miles, but it has many characteristics of a small town where everyone seems to know everyone. Because the city sits at the nexus of some truly epic routes - north to the Arctic, east to Canada and south to Denali - you'll almost inevitably end up spending time here, and that time is rarely boring. The residential streets of compact downtown are pretty as a picture, and during winter, this is ground zero for viewing the aurora borealis.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDenali National Park $218Fairbanks $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Denali National Park is $218, while the average daily cost in Fairbanks is $272. 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 Denali National Park and Fairbanks in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDenali National Park $116Fairbanks $154
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDenali National Park $232Fairbanks $308
Compare Hotels in Denali National Park and Fairbanks
Looking for a hotel in Denali National Park or Fairbanks? 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: Fairbanks Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Denali National Park $76Fairbanks $66
Typical Local Transportation prices in Fairbanks
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Fairbanks:
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Full Tank of Gas$90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fairbanks
Also for Fairbanks, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Fairbanks International Airport Executive Transfer: $45
Is it cheaper to fly into Denali National Park or Fairbanks?
Prices for flights to both Fairbanks and Denali National Park 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 dayDenali National Park $57Fairbanks $63
Typical Food prices in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two at Pike's Landing$63
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Totem Inn Breakfast for Two$46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $210
- Northern Lights Experience and Cabin Dinner: $210
- Late Night Yurt Dinner and Northern Lights: $210
- Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $224
- Northern Lights Viewing including Dinner and 1-Hour Dog Sledding: $315
- Moonlight Dog Sled, Dinner & Northern Lights: $315
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Denali National Park $30Fairbanks $65
Tours and Activities in Denali National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.
- 2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour: $79
- 3 Hour Naturalist Walking Tour in Denali National Park: $110
- 4 Hour Wilderness Wonders Tour in Denali: $190
- 5-Hour Mountain Hiking Tour in Denali: $160
- Alaskan Back Country Side by Side ATV Adventure with Meal: $150
- Classic ATV Adventure with Back Country Dining: $150
- Denali ATV Trailblazer 3.5 Hour Tour : $114
- Denali National Park Walking Tour: $125
- Denali Park Zipline Adventure: $165
- Denali Peak Sightseeing by Plane: $466
- Midnight Sun ATV Adventure 2.5 Hour Tour: $79
- Wilds of Alaska Classic ATV Adventure: $140
Typical Entertainment prices in Fairbanks
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Fairbanks's activities, tours, and tickets:
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The Riverboat Discovery Trip$55
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1 Day Mountain Bike Rental$27
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Canoe Rental with Pickup$56
Tours and Activities in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Hour Snowmobile Tour in Fairbanks Alaska: $215
- 1-hr. Dog Sledding Tour in Fairbanks (without transportation): $135
- 2-Hour Guided Snowmobile Tour in Fairbanks: $295
- 3 Hour Ice Fishing Experience: $150
- 3-Hour Small Group 9-Hole Self-Guided Fairbanks Golf Experience: $110
- 30-minute Dog Sledding Tour in Fairbanks (without transportation): $95
- 4-Hour Aurora Viewing Experience at Aurora Camp (极光营地): $59
- 8-12 Hour Private Arctic Circle Experience in Alaska with Lunch: $450
- Alaskan Dog Sledding Tour in Fairbanks: $125
- Alaskan Heritage and Sightseeing Tour in Fairbanks: $140
- Alaskan Malamute Dog Sledding Tour with Transportation: $145
- Angel Rocks Hike and Chena Hot-Springs Soak Guided Tour: $185
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDenali National Park $12Fairbanks $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Denali National Park and Fairbanks, we can see that Fairbanks is more expensive. And not only is Denali National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Denali National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Denali 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 Fairbanks would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fairbanks than you might in Denali National Park.
When is the best time to visit Denali National Park or Fairbanks?
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 Denali National Park or Fairbanks in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Denali National Park and Fairbanks. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Fairbanks because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Denali National Park is cooler than Fairbanks. Typically, the summer temperatures in Denali National Park in July average around 60°F (15°C), and Fairbanks averages at about 64°F (18°C).
In July, Denali National Park usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Denali National Park gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDenali National Park 60°F (15°C)Fairbanks 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Denali National Park or Fairbanks in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Denali National Park as well as Fairbanks. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Fairbanks this time of year.
It's quite cold in Fairbanks in the autumn. The weather in Denali National Park can be very cold. In October, Denali National Park is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Denali National Park average around 32°F (0°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 27°F (-3°C).
Denali National Park usually gets more rain in October than Fairbanks. Denali National Park gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDenali National Park 32°F (0°C)Fairbanks 27°F (-3°C)
Should I visit Denali National Park or Fairbanks in the Winter?
Both Fairbanks and Denali National Park are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Fairbanks for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Fairbanks. It's quite cold in Denali National Park in the winter. Denali National Park is much warmer than Fairbanks in the winter. The daily temperature in Denali National Park averages around 11°F (-12°C) in January, and Fairbanks fluctuates around -9°F (-23°C).
In January, Denali National Park usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Denali National Park gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDenali National Park 11°F (-12°C)Fairbanks -9°F (-23°C)
Should I visit Denali National Park or Fairbanks in the Spring?
Both Fairbanks and Denali National Park during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Fairbanks in the spring for the natural beauty.
Fairbanks can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Denali National Park. In the spring, Denali National Park is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the spring temperatures in Denali National Park in April average around 34°F (1°C), and Fairbanks averages at about 32°F (0°C).
Denali National Park usually gets more rain in April than Fairbanks. Denali National Park gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDenali National Park 34°F (1°C)Fairbanks 32°F (0°C)
Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Denali National Park
| Denali National Park | Fairbanks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°F (-12°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) | -9°F (-23°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Feb | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.4 inches (37 mm) | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Mar | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Apr | 34°F (1°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| May | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Jun | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Jul | 60°F (15°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Aug | 56°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Sep | 47°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (108 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Oct | 32°F (0°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Nov | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 4°F (-15°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Dec | 13°F (-11°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | -5°F (-21°C) | 0.9 inches (23 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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