Should you visit Denver or Park City Utah?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Denver or Park City Utah, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Park City Utah
Located in the eastern portion of the Wasatch Mountains, Park City, Utah is a wonderful year around destination. It's position in the Rocky Mountains gives it a beautiful setting at an altitude of roughly 7,000 feet about sea level. It's a popular destination in the winter months for skiing. Some of the country's best ski resorts are found here including Park City Mountain Resort, The Canyons Resort and Deer Valley Resort. The city also hosts the famous Sundance Film Festival every year. During the summer months the city serves as a retreat from the heat for many residents of nearby Salt Lake City. It's high elevation make it a refreshing place to visit during the warmest months.
Which city is cheaper, Park City Utah or Denver?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Denver is $174, while the average daily cost in Park City Utah is $374. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Denver and Park City Utah in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Denver is about $138 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Park City Utah, $492 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Park City Utah, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $246, such as in a hostel.
Food
The price of a meal in Denver can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $34 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $14 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
On average, meal and food prices in Park City Utah cost around $50 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $20.
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Food
Meals for one day
Denver $34
Park City Utah $50
Typical Food prices in Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
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Small-Group Food Tour in Denver:
$69
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Haunted Denver Walking Food Tour:
$73
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The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver:
$77
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Walking Food Tour - Best of Union Station & LoDo:
$79
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Denver Cooking Classes-Local, seasonal, and hands on menus:
$97
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Denver is $81 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Park City Utah's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $87 per person, per day on transportation in Park City Utah.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
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Denver Airport (DEN) to Aspen hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$1,592
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Private Transfer: Denver International Airport (DEN) to Aspen:
$1,321
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Aspen: Private Transfer to or from Denver Airport:
$1,279
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Denver Airport (DEN) to Avon/Vail Valley - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$858
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Denver Airport (DEN) to Breckenridge - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$809
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Denver Airport (DEN) to Aspen hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$796
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Denver Airport (DEN) to Keystone resort - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$672
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Round trip transfer in private minivan from-to Denver Airport (DEN) to Vail city:
$582
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Private Transfer: Denver International Airport (DEN) to Vail:
$576
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Vail: Private Transfer to or from Denver Airport:
$557
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Private Denver International Airport Transfer to Vail or Beaver Creek:
$450
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Denver Airport (DEN) to Avon/Vail Valley - Arrival Private Transfer:
$429
Entertainment
Denver's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $42 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Park City Utah can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $141 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
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1.5 Hour LoDo Walking Tour in Denver:
$25
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Astrophotography Experience in the Colorado Rockies:
$200
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Best of Denver Tour:
$64
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Best of Denver Tour:
$22
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Bike and Brew Tour:
$60
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Breckenridge Ultimate Full Day Mountain Tour from Denver:
$115
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Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour:
$22
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Craft Beer Tour in Lower Downtown Denver:
$53
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Denver Ghost Hunt: Mile High Ghost Tour:
$12
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Denver Ghost Tour:
$23
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Denver Guided Sightseeing Tour on Motor Scooters:
$112
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Denver History and Highlights Small Group Tour:
$35
Alcohol
The average person spends about $4.25 on alcoholic beverages in Denver per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Park City Utah, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $40.
Sample the Local Flavors in Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Haunted Denver Ghost and Pub Walking Tour in Lower Downtown:
$26
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Haunted Denver Ghost and Pub Walking Tour - South Broadway (SoBo):
$27
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3-Hour Brewery Walking Tour:
$49
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Craft Distillery Bus Tour:
$71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Denver and Park City Utah, we can see that Park City Utah is more expensive. And not only is Denver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Denver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Denver 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 Park City Utah would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Park City Utah than you might in Denver.
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