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

Should you visit Durango or Reno?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Durango and Reno. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Durango or Reno?

Durango

Located in the State of Colorado, in the Rocky Mountains, Durango is on the tourist maps because of its historic narrow gauge railroad that connects the city to the town of Silverton. Durango has a population of just over 16,000 and it is only a short distance from the "four corners" area where New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado all meet. The landscape surrounding Durango is quite impressive and includes the Animas River Valley, the San Juan Mountains, and some beautiful red sandstone bluffs.

Reno

In the northwest area of Nevada, Reno sits at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. After Las Vegas, it's the second most popular tourist destination in the state of Nevada. You'll find some nice resorts, elaborate casinos, nice restaurants and unique opportunities for entertainment throughout the city.

The city, referred to as "The Biggest Little City in the World", has a population of about 235,000. It's part of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, which has a population of about 440,000.

Reno is located in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The city has a steppe climate with light to moderate snowfall in the winter months. Precipitation is most common during the winter and spring, but the city averages about 300 days of sunshine a year. Average temperatures are 35 degrees Fahrenheit in December and 75 degrees Fahrenheit in July.

Which place is cheaper, Reno or Durango?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Durango is $153, while the average daily cost in Reno is $144. 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 Durango and Reno in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Durango $79
    Reno $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Durango $158
    Reno $110
Compare Hotels in Durango and Reno

Looking for a hotel in Durango or Reno? 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 Durango


Hotels in Reno


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: Durango Hotel Prices and Reno Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Durango $27
    Reno $23

Typical Local Transportation prices in Reno

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Reno:


  • Car Wash
    $5.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Durango or Reno?

Prices for flights to both Reno and Durango 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
    Durango $50
    Reno $54

Typical Food prices in Reno

For Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dennys for Breakfast
    $22
  • Sushi DInner (for 2)
    $40
  • In-n-Out Burger (for 3)
    $19

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Durango $46
    Reno $88
Typical Entertainment prices in Durango

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Durango's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Hot Springs (for 2)
    $50
  • Tubing (for 2)
    $40

Tours and Activities in Durango

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

  • Scenic Waterfall's & Ghost Town Jeep Tour La Plata's~ 2.5 hours: $84
  • *CLIFF PALACE* Private Mesa Verde Tour-Archeologist Trained Guide: $319
  • 12-Zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango: $150
  • 4 Hours Durango Colorado - Jeep Tour : $102
  • 6-Zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango: $139
  • 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour: $108
  • All-Day Guided Zipline Tour with Train Ride and Lunch in Durango: $650
  • Colorado: Million Dollar Highway Self-Driving Audio Tour: $13
  • La Plata Canyon Exclusive Access Jeep Tour: $99
  • La Plata Canyon Scenic Waterfalls Jeep Tour: $84
  • Mesa Verde Express Tour with Cliff Palace Tickets: $139
  • Round-Trip Train Ticket to Silverton: $299

Tours and Activities in Reno

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

  • (18+) Private 30-Minute Axe Throwing Experience Ticket: $40
  • Downtown Reno Tour: $55
  • Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Experience Raptors and Falconry in Reno: $125
  • From Reno Arch to Truckee River: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Historic Donner Party, Immigrant Trail and Lake Tahoe Photo Tour from Reno: $189
  • Reno Ghosts Tour: $33
  • Downtown Guided Burning Man Street Art Tour by Pedicab: $70
  • Downtown Reno Pedicab Tour: $112
  • Gangs and Gamblers Haunted Walking Tour: $32
  • Max Action Arena Combo Ticket: $50
  • Midtown Reno Mural Tour: $112

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Durango $30
    Reno $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Reno

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Reno:

  • 1 Hour Distillery Tour and Tasting Flight: $20
  • Brewery Tour: $130
  • Brewery District Tour: $133
  • Private Distillery Tour by Pedicab with Tastings: $159


When comparing the travel costs between Durango and Reno, we can see that Durango 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, Durango or Reno?

Reno is bigger, and its population is about 13.5 times larger than the population of Durango. When comparing the population of Durango vs. Reno, 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.

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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Durango vs. Reno Travel Comparison

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