A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fairbanks vs. Quebec City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Fairbanks or Quebec City?

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

Should I visit Fairbanks or Quebec City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Fairbanks or Quebec City?

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.

Quebec City

Quebec City is the capital of the Quebec province. It has a dramatic location on the cliffs by St. Lawrence Seaway and the city's Old Town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quebec is a mid sized city with a population of about 700,000. Most of the economy is administrative and bureaucratic, but the city has a very impressive history as the fortress capital of New France. French is the official language of the entire province, but most people in the tourist areas of Quebec City speak English.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Quebec City or Fairbanks?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Fairbanks is $272, while the average daily cost in Quebec City is $126. 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 Fairbanks and Quebec City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fairbanks $154
    Quebec City $73
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fairbanks $308
    Quebec City $146
Compare Hotels in Fairbanks and Quebec City

Looking for a hotel in Fairbanks or Quebec City? 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 Fairbanks


Hotels in Quebec City


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 and Quebec City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fairbanks $66
    Quebec City $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fairbanks

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


  • Full Tank of Gas
    $90

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quebec City

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Quebec City are as follows:


  • Parking in Quebec City
    $3.63

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quebec City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quebec City:

  • YQB Quebec City Airport Cruise Terminal Train Station Transfer: $99
  • YQB Airport Transfer: $97
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Quebec Airport (YQB) - Quebec City Center: $71
  • Quebec to Le Terminal Quebec Port - Departure Private Transfer: $97
  • Quebec city private transfer: $97
  • Jean Lesage Arrivals Private Airport Transfer: $108
  • Quebec Airport (YQB) to Downtown private transfer: $117
  • Québec Airport (YQB): Transfer to Le Terminal Quebec Port: $228
  • Québec Airport (YQB) to Le Terminal Quebec Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $114
  • Québec Airport (YQB) to Le Terminal Cruise Port -Arrival Transfer: $57
  • Private Transfer from Quebec City to YQB airport: $108
  • Private Transfer from Quebec City Hotels to Saguenay Cruise Port: $93

Is it cheaper to fly into Fairbanks or Quebec City?

Prices for flights to both Quebec City and Fairbanks 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
    Fairbanks $63
    Quebec City $37
Typical Food Prices in Fairbanks

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


  • Lunch for Two at Pike's Landing
    $63
  • 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:

  • Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $300

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quebec City

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quebec City.

  • 5-Course Dinner Cruise with Music & VIP Option: $160
  • Old Quebec 5-Course Gourmet Food Tour: $189
  • Combo Historical and Food Tour of the Old Quebec City: $192
  • Evening Gourmet Tour 5 Course Dinner - History and Food in Old Quebec City: $192

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fairbanks $65
    Quebec City $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Fairbanks

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


  • The Riverboat Discovery Trip
    $55
  • 1 Day Mountain Bike Rental
    $27
  • 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:

  • Fairbanks, AK: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
  • Gold Dredge 8 Historic Train Tour: $58
  • Riverboat Cruise and Local Village Tour: $95
  • Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience in North Pole: $99
  • Summer Mushing Cart Ride & Kennel Tour: $100
  • Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience: $105
  • From Northern Lights & Murphy Dome Tour: $120
  • Aurora Chaser Tour: $125
  • Budget Aurora Borealis tour, Fairbanks, Alaska : $125
  • 3 Hour Ice Fishing Experience: $135
  • Fairbanks Heritage Sightseeing Tour: $140
  • Fairbanks Autumn/Winter City Tour: $140

Tours and Activities in Quebec City

Here are a few actual costs in Quebec City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Electric fatbike Tour of Québec City: $111
  • Magnificent Montmorency Falls Private E-Bike Tour: $149
  • 2-Hour Christmas Magic Tour in Old Quebec: $29
  • APP Self-Guided Tours Quebec with Audioguide: $8.74
  • Amazing Old Quebec City Classique Walking Tour with 1 Funicular Ticket included: $33
  • Animated Crime Walking Tour in Old Quebec: $19
  • Beautiful walking tour of Old Québec: $27
  • Beyond the Walls Private E-Bike Tour: $178
  • Bike Tour to Montmorency Falls from Quebec City: $126
  • City & Market Farm Tour from Québec: $34
  • Electric Bike Tour of Quebec City: $126
  • Fatbike tour of Québec city in the winter: $102

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fairbanks $27
    Quebec City $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Quebec City

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Quebec City:

  • Honey and Distillery Tour with Tasting: $21
  • Craft Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour: $50
  • Island of Orleans Wine Tour: $91
  • Wine Tasting on Ile d'Orleans: $92
  • Quebec City : eTandem Rental on Ile d'Orleans-wine tasting: $116


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fairbanks and Quebec City, we can see that Fairbanks is more expensive. And not only is Quebec City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Quebec City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quebec City 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 Quebec City.

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


Which is Bigger, Fairbanks or Quebec City?

Quebec City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Fairbanks. When comparing the sizes of Fairbanks and Quebec City, 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.