Should you visit Flagstaff or Phoenix?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Flagstaff and Phoenix can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Phoenix
The most populous city in the American Southwest, Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and busiest hub of activity in the general area. Geographically it is located in the Sonoran Desert, making for long hot summers and mild winters. This climate has ensured a thriving tourism industry with plenty of attractions both in and around Phoenix.
Which city is cheaper, Phoenix or Flagstaff?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Flagstaff is $133, while the average daily cost in Phoenix is $114. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Flagstaff and Phoenix in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Flagstaff is $138. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Travelers usually pay around $92 for a double occupancy room in Phoenix If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
Flagstaff food costs typically run travelers around $44 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
In Phoenix travelers spend around $42 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Flagstaff $44
Phoenix $42
Typical Food prices in Phoenix
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phoenix
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class:
$65
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $30 per day to get around in Flagstaff.
Phoenix's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $16 per person, per day on transportation in Phoenix.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phoenix
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Airport SUV Phoenix One Way Transfer Phoenix Address:
$100
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Airport SUV Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address:
$121
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Airport Sedan Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address:
$91
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Airport Sedan Phoenix One Way Transfer to Phoenix Address:
$91
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Airport VAN Phoenix One Way Transfer Phoenix Address:
$213
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Airport VAN Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address:
$213
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Arrival Private Transfer Phoenix Airport PHX to Phoenix Business-Luxury Vehicle:
$78
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Arrival Private Transfers: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Business Car:
$76
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Arrival Private Transfers: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury SUV:
$96
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Arrival Private Transfers: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury Van:
$96
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Departure Private Transfer to Phoenix Airport PHX by Business or Luxury Vehicle:
$78
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Departure Private Transfers: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Business Car:
$76
Is it cheaper to fly into Flagstaff or Phoenix?
Prices for flights to both Phoenix 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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $22 per person, per day in Flagstaff. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Phoenix can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $29 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Flagstaff
Here are a few actual costs in Flagstaff for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour from Flagstaff:
$229
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Antelope Slot Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour from Flagstaff:
$236
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Comprehensive Grand Canyon Tour from Flagstaff:
$186
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Dark Skies Astrophotography Tour:
$50
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Flagstaff Adventure Zipline Course:
$61
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Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course-Adult Course:
$61
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Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course-Kids Course:
$30
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Flagstaff Segway Tour:
$89
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Small-Group Haunted City Tour:
$30
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From Flagstaff or Sedona: Hopi Lands Cultural Tour & Lunch:
$176
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From Grand Canyon National Park Tour:
$169
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From Grand Canyon Railroad Full-Day Tour:
$219
Tours and Activities in Phoenix
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
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Skip the Line: Heard Museum Admission Ticket:
$18
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Phoenix Walking Ghost Tour:
$20
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Phoenix Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
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RoRo Street Art Tour:
$27
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Lockdown- Samurai Escape Room Experience:
$28
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Phoenix Legends Bike Tour:
$43
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Urban Adventure Quest Scavenger Hunt in Phoenix:
$44
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Tabletop Adventure - Gaming in Nature:
$46
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BYOB Pedal Bar Experience In Old Town Scottsdale:
$53
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Scottsdale: Half-Day Casual Bike Tour with Guide:
$56
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Scottsdale: Half-Day Road Bike Tour:
$60
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Scottsdale: Half-Day Sonoran Desert Hiking Tour:
$60
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Flagstaff may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $23 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Phoenix, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $13.
Sample the Local Flavors in Phoenix
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
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Wine Tours, Airport Transportation and more!:
$100
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Custom Arizona Brewery Tour:
$245
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Private Southern Arizona Wine Tour Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards:
$997
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Private Wine Tour from Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards:
$1,650
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Flagstaff and Phoenix, we can see that Flagstaff is more expensive. And not only is Phoenix much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Phoenix would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phoenix 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 Flagstaff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Flagstaff than you might in Phoenix.
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