A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America El Paso vs. Boise for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit El Paso or Boise?

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 El Paso and Boise can help you decide which place is right for you.

El Paso

El Paso is a undiscovered, laid-back, and low-key city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Boise

Boise is a friendly, welcoming, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums.

El Paso and Boise: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples


Is there more to do in El Paso or Boise?

You'll generally find more things to do in El Paso than Boise. El Paso is bigger than Boise, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. El Paso is well known for its Spanish missions and its outstanding Mexican food. Also, El Paso is famous for the El Paso Zoo. Boise is well known for its many outdoor and recreational activities.

How is El Paso different from Boise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Boise and El Paso. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in El Paso or Boise?

El Paso
Boise

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either El Paso or Boise.

El Paso is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Visitors can learn about local art, culture, and history at the El Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Museum of History, the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum, and the Eduardo Pedregón Memorial Veterans Museum.

Boise offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the state capital, there's a nice selection of local museums around town. Favorites include the Boise Art Museum, the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, the Idaho Black History Museum, and Discovery Center.


Is the Food Better in El Paso or Boise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

El Paso
Boise

El Paso is a popular place for its restaurants. However, Boise is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

El Paso is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Mexican food and barbecue are popular around town but you'll also find burgers, pizza, and other American favorites.

Boise offers some easy restaurants to choose from. While Idaho has long been associated with the potato, the locals usually think of "finger steaks" when describing local food. These are deep-friend beef strips that are as good as they sound.

Is El Paso or Boise Better for Nightlife?

El Paso
Boise

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in El Paso and Boise.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in El Paso. There are a number of bars, nightclubs, and lounges around town where you can enjoy a fun night out.

Boise has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. In downtown Boise you'll find a selection of bars, lounges, and breweries. There's enough around town to keep the nightlife scene interesting.

Is the Shopping Better in El Paso or Boise?

El Paso
Boise

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both El Paso and Boise.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in El Paso. There are a number of malls and outlet centers around town. One of the most well known is Bassett Place, but other options include Cielo Vista Mall and the Fountains at Farah.

Boise offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a mix of local boutiques, independent vendors, and suburban shopping centers where you'll find anything that you might need.


Is El Paso or Boise Better for Families?

El Paso
Boise

El Paso is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Boise is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

El Paso is a family-friendly city. There are adventure parks, playgrounds, outdoor centers and nature activities that families can enjoy.

Boise doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. You'll find parks, playgrounds, and the Discovery Center which will help keep kids entertained.

Is El Paso or Boise Better for Couples?

El Paso
Boise

Neither El Paso or Boise is generally regarded as a top spot for a couple to visit.

El Paso is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Couples can enjoy dinner and a show or taking a romantic drive up to the overlook.

Most people don't think of Boise as a couple's destination. Date night activities include dining at a nice restaurants and seeing a show at the theater.

Is El Paso or Boise Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

El Paso
Boise

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both El Paso and Boise.

Public transit is mostly limited in El Paso. While there are some bus routes in town, you shouldn't rely on them and must have a private vehicle to efficiently visit the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Boise. There are infrequent buses around town, but visitors usually have a car to get around town efficiently.


Is El Paso or Boise a more walkable city?

El Paso
Boise

El Paso and Boise are respectable when it comes to walkability.

El Paso is generally not a very walkable city. You really need a car to get around town.

Boise is generally not very walkable. There are a couple of walkable neighborhoods but, in general, the town isn't very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is El Paso Worth Visiting? and Is Boise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boise or El Paso?

How long in El Paso or Boise?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in El Paso or Boise to fill your time. In our opinion, El Paso has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in El Paso than Boise. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in El Paso than Boise. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in El Paso, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in El Paso than Boise. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in El Paso that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in El Paso than Boise if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in El Paso.


  • How many days in El Paso or Boise? Ideal Length of Stay
    El Paso 1-2 
    Boise 1-2

One day in El Paso or Boise?

In El Paso, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this low-key destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Boise, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in El Paso or Boise?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in El Paso. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Boise, you'll find nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Boise has to offer.


Five days in El Paso or Boise?

El Paso is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of El Paso. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Boise is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in El Paso or Boise?

You'll find food and shopping around the undiscovered destination of El Paso. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boise. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Boise. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Boise or El Paso?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in El Paso is $161, while the average daily cost in Boise is $146. 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 El Paso and Boise in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    El Paso $81
    Boise $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    El Paso $162
    Boise $150
Compare Hotels in El Paso and Boise

Looking for a hotel in El Paso or Boise? 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 El Paso


Hotels in Boise


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: El Paso Hotel Prices and Boise Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    El Paso $37
    Boise $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Paso

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

  • El Paso to El Paso International Airport (ELP) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
  • El Paso International Airport (ELP) to El Paso - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $80
  • El Paso International Airport (ELP) to El Paso - Arrival Private Transfer : $40
  • El Paso Airport to Truth or Consequences Round Trip Transfer: $239
  • El Paso Airport (ELP) to Truth or Consequences Arrival Transfer: $120

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boise

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

  • Boise Air Terminal Airport One Way Transfer : $80

Is it cheaper to fly into El Paso or Boise?

Prices for flights to both Boise and El Paso 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
    El Paso $54
    Boise $45
Typical Food Prices in El Paso

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


  • Rudy's BBQ (family of 4)
    $40

Typical Food Prices in Boise

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


  • Hotel
    $59
  • Cracker Barrel Lunch (for 4)
    $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    El Paso $27
    Boise $30

Tours and Activities in El Paso

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

  • Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Jeep Tour: $115
  • Downtown Historic Walking Tour: $120
  • Sun City Ghost Walking Tour: $26
  • Jeep Tour - Pikes Peak or Bust: $175
  • Sun City Ghosts Haunted Cowboys and Outlaws Tour: $30
  • UTV Adventure Tour / Rental: $249

Typical Entertainment Prices in Boise

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


  • Edwards Boise Imax
    $27

Tours and Activities in Boise

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

  • A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour: $25
  • Boise Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Boise Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Boise Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • Hells Canyon Kirkwood Jet Boat Tour near Boise, Idaho: $218
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Boise by 3Quest Challenge: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    El Paso $27
    Boise $24


When comparing the travel costs between El Paso and Boise, we can see that El Paso 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.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is El Paso Expensive? and Is Boise Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, El Paso or Boise?

El Paso has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Boise. When comparing the sizes of El Paso and Boise, 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.