Which place is cheaper, Columbia River Gorge or Denver?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Denver vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Denver or Columbia River Gorge?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Denver or Columbia River Gorge, 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: Denver or Columbia River Gorge?
Denver
The capital of Colorado, Denver is commonly referred to as "The Mile-High City" because it is at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level. It also sits where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, giving a beautiful backdrop for this metropolitan city. The city is the largest in the Rocky Mountains with a population of more than 600,000 and nearly 3 million in the metropolitan area. Denver is a cosmopolitan city with cowboy roots. It's cultural scene is thriving, and the outdoor recreation in the area is superb. Denver is a rapidly growing city but with change comes challenges. Urban sprawl is a problem and the city's infrastructure has reached its limits. Still, efforts are in place to maintain the character and personality that Denver is known for.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDenver $218Columbia River Gorge $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Denver is $218, while the average daily cost in Columbia River Gorge is $179. 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 Denver and Columbia River Gorge in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDenver $87Columbia River Gorge $89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDenver $174Columbia River Gorge $178
Compare Hotels in Denver and Columbia River Gorge
Looking for a hotel in Denver or Columbia River Gorge? 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: Denver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Denver $101Columbia River Gorge $78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
- Private Arrival Transfer - Denver International Airport (DEN) : $40
- Private Departure Transfer to Denver Airport (DEN): $44
- Private Arrival Transfer - from Denver Airport (DEN): $44
- Transfer in Private Car from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Downtown: $72
- Bergen International Airport: Private One Way Transfer: $100
- Denver Airport (DEN): Private Transfer to Denver hotels: $252
- Denver Airport to Vail Transfer: $599
Is it cheaper to fly into Denver or Columbia River Gorge?
Prices for flights to both Columbia River Gorge and Denver 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 dayDenver $42Columbia River Gorge $46
Typical Food prices in Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
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Sushi Dinner (for 2)$61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
- Downtown Denver Food Tour: $75
- RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $75
- Arts District Walking Food Tour: $75
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver, CO: $82
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Denver $52Columbia River Gorge $20
Tours and Activities in Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
- Denver's Art District Self Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
- Listen to a Tour Guide While You Drive between Golden and Vail / Breckenridge: $7.99
- Denver’s Downtown: Past and Present In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure on Your Phone: $10
- Colorado Rockies Baseball Game Ticket at Coors Field: $11
- Colorado Rockies Baseball Game Ticket at Coors Field: $12
- Denver Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Denver Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $14
- Molly Brown House Museum Self-Guided Tour & Entry: $14
- Denver Botanic Gardens General Admission Ticket: $15
- General Admission to Denver Botanic Gardens Ticket: $15
- Wild West Walking Tour in Golden, Colorado: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDenver $5.31Columbia River Gorge $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 4-Hour Downtown Denver Pub Crawl: $25
- Half-Day Pub Crawl Through Denver RiNo Arts District : $30
- California Vs. Colorado Wine Tasting: $30
- Denver Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Haunted Denver Ghost & Pub Walking Tour - Lower Downtown (LoDo): $38
- South Broadway (SoBo) Haunted Denver Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $38
- Golden Ghosts & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Denver and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Denver is more expensive. And not only is Columbia River Gorge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia River Gorge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia River Gorge 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 Denver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denver than you might in Columbia River Gorge.
Which is Bigger, Denver or Columbia River Gorge?
Denver is bigger, and its population is about 48.2 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the population of Denver vs. Columbia River Gorge, 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.
Related Articles for Denver
Related Articles for Columbia River Gorge
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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