A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Flagstaff vs. Durango for Hiking, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Flagstaff or Durango?

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 Durango 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.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a picturesque, active, and adventurous city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping.

Durango

Durango is a scenic, nature-filled, and historic small town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include hiking and museums.

Flagstaff and Durango: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Flagstaff or Durango?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Flagstaff than Durango, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Flagstaff is better known for its food, nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Durango is more popular for its skiing, historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Flagstaff is more touristy than Durango and is popular for its nearby craters and volcanic caves as well as its location along the historic Route 66. Also, Flagstaff is famous for Walnut Canyon National Monument. Durango is well known for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities.

How is Flagstaff different from Durango?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Flagstaff or Durango Better for Skiing?

Durango is a small town with a few options for winter skiing. However, Flagstaff is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Durango for snow skiing. Purgatory Ski Resort is about 20 minutes from town and it's a family-friendly mountain with beginner and intermediate runs. It's small, and geared specifically to the beginner and younger crowd.

Flagstaff is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Flagstaff or Durango?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Flagstaff or Durango.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Flagstaff. Lowell Observatory is a highlight for many visitors, especially those who are fascinated by space. There's also the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Pioneer Museum, and Fort Tuthill Military History Museum.

Durango is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most visitors come to town specifically to ride the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. There's also the D&SNGRR Railroad Museum, and the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.

Is the Food Better in Flagstaff or Durango? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Flagstaff is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Flagstaff. The food scene is diverse and growing. There's a focus on local recipes and ingredients. You'll also find many casual and family-friendly restaurants. American cuisine is common, but you'll also find burritos, Indian curries, and frittatas.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Durango. Most of the restaurants are casual and family-friendly, serving up burgers or sandwiches for a reasonable price. You'll also find some coffeeshops and even a few food trucks and international restaurants.

Is Flagstaff or Durango Better for Nightlife?

Flagstaff is a good destination for nightlife. However, Durango is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Flagstaff. You'll find a range of bars and cocktail lounges around town that come to life in the evening hours.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Durango. It's a small town that attracts tourists mainly for its train, so you won't find much in the way of a nightlife scene.

Is Flagstaff or Durango Better for its Old Town?

Durango is a small town with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Flagstaff does not have a historic old town.

Durango offers a nice historic old town area. Filled with character, the downtown feels like you've stepped into a Western. The town has a long history as a mining and railroad community, which you can see throughout the historic area. It really feels like you're in the "Wild West."

Flagstaff does not have a historic old town.

Is Flagstaff or Durango Better for Hiking?

Flagstaff is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. Also, Durango is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Flagstaff is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Nearby you'll find world class hikes through surreal landscapes and diverse environments. The area is filled with desert landscapes and varied rock formations that are best explored on foot. Trails range in length and skill level, but whatever your ability, the hiking in the area is among the best.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Durango. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beautiful and there is an endless supply of hikes in the region. Popular nearby hikes include Animas Mountain Trail, Falls Creek Trail, and Purgatory Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Flagstaff or Durango?

Flagstaff is a good destination for shopping. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Flagstaff. Located along historic Route 66, you'll find many shops that capture the city's history, particularly in the Southside Historic District. The town also has farmer's markets as well as shopping centers and large malls.

If you're looking to go shopping, Durango has some nice offerings. The charming town has some boutiques that sell beautifully made Native American jewelry and other interesting items. There are also souvenir shops and other venues that target tourists specifically.

Is Flagstaff or Durango Better for Christmas?

Durango is a small town with good options for its Christmas activities. However, Flagstaff does not offer Christmas activities.

Many visitors go to Durango during the Christmas season. It is a great Christmas town where you can meet Santa, go skiing, and even take the Polar Express.

Flagstaff does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Flagstaff or Durango Better for Families?

Both Flagstaff and Durango are very good to visit with kids.

Flagstaff is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city is filled with outdoor activities for kids like ropes courses and adventure parks. Kids will also enjoy climbing around the Lava River Cave, visiting Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, or hiking through the many diverse landscapes in the area. There are also museums that educate visitors on the city's history as well as Lowell Observatory, which will intrigue all the space enthusiasts among us.

Durango is a very family-friendly destination. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Is Flagstaff or Durango Better for Couples?

Flagstaff is a good destination for romance. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Flagstaff is a nice destination for couples. Hiking and outdoor adventure sports make this city a good destination for couples who enjoy active living. There are many parks that you can visit as well as hiking trails and unique natural settings.

Most people don't think of Durango as a couple's destination. The town may not be the first romantic destination that comes to mind, but the railroad combined with wandering the downtown can make for a great couple's getaway.

Is Flagstaff or Durango Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Flagstaff is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Durango is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Flagstaff is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are campgrounds nearby as well as tons of nature parks and countless hiking trails in the area.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Durango. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

Is Flagstaff or Durango Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Flagstaff is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Flagstaff. The Mountain Line offers eight routes through town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Durango. It's a small town with no real public transit options so a car is a must.

Is Flagstaff or Durango a more walkable city?

Flagstaff is a good destination for its walkability. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Flagstaff is somewhat walkable. The downtown is compact and walkable, but you'll really want to have a car to explore the nearby hiking trails and natural areas.

Durango is generally not very walkable. While the Main Street through town is walkable, it's not as pedestrian-friendly as some small towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Flagstaff Worth Visiting? and Is Durango Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Durango or Flagstaff?

How long in Flagstaff or Durango?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Flagstaff and Durango. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Flagstaff than in Durango. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Flagstaff, and 2-3 days is enough time in Durango.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Flagstaff than Durango 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 Flagstaff.

One day in Flagstaff or Durango?

In Flagstaff, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Even though Durango is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Flagstaff or Durango?

In Flagstaff, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Flagstaff has to offer.

Durango is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this small town has to offer. This small town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Flagstaff or Durango?

Flagstaff is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Durango is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Flagstaff or Durango?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Flagstaff. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Flagstaff. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Durango is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

When comparing the travel costs between Flagstaff and Durango, we can see that Flagstaff 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 Flagstaff Expensive? and Is Durango Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Flagstaff or Durango?

Flagstaff has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Durango. When comparing the sizes of Flagstaff and Durango, 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.