Which city is cheaper, Columbia River Gorge or Flagstaff?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Flagstaff vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Flagstaff or Columbia River Gorge?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Flagstaff and Columbia River Gorge can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Flagstaff or Columbia River Gorge?
Flagstaff
Located in northern Arizona near the San Francisco Peaks mountain range, Flagstaff is a small city surrounded by natural beauty. The city's proximity to a number of popular tourist sights, including Grand Canyon National Park, Oak Creek Canyon, the Arizona Snowbowl, Meteor Crater, and Historic Route 66, make it a common destination for tourists. It lies at an elevation of almost 7,000 feet with nearby areas climbing higher. In large part because of its altitude, the city has a cooler climate than the southern part of Arizona, which is famous for its low lying desert.
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 dayFlagstaff $133Columbia River Gorge $143
The average daily cost (per person) in Flagstaff is $133, while the average daily cost in Columbia River Gorge is $143. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Flagstaff and Columbia River Gorge in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlagstaff $69Columbia River Gorge $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlagstaff $138Columbia River Gorge $142
Compare Hotels in Flagstaff and Columbia River Gorge
Looking for a hotel in Flagstaff 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: Flagstaff Hotel Prices and Columbia River Gorge Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Flagstaff $30Columbia River Gorge $62
Is it cheaper to fly into Flagstaff or Columbia River Gorge?
Prices for flights to both Columbia River Gorge and Flagstaff 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 dayFlagstaff $44Columbia River Gorge $37
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Flagstaff $22Columbia River Gorge $16
Tours and Activities in Flagstaff
Here are a few actual costs in Flagstaff for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Downtown Flagstaff Walking Tour: $20
- Self-Guided Flagstaff Driving Tour - History, Geology, Fun!: $20
- Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course-Kids Course: $30
- Haunted Downtown Flagstaff Tour by Segway Bike or Walking: $31
- Fun Flagstaff History Segway, Bike or Walking Tour: $31
- Dark Skies Astrophotography Tour: $50
- Flagstaff Adventure Zipline Course: $61
- Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course-Adult Course: $61
- Grand Falls Hidden Experience Tour: $160
- Grand Canyon Experience Tour from Flagstaff: $162
- Small-Group Grand Canyon Day Tour from Flagstaff: $173
- Grand Canyon Sightseeing Tour from Flagstaff: $178
Tours and Activities in Columbia River Gorge
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia River Gorge are as follows:
- Cascade Locks: 1-Hour Columbia River Sightseeing Cruise: $50
- Cascade Locks: Columbia Gorge Sunday Brunch Cruise: $94
- Portland: Columbia Gorge Flight Tour: $99
- Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlagstaff $23Columbia River Gorge $9.49
When comparing the travel costs between Flagstaff and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Columbia River Gorge 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.
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