Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Flagstaff?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Flagstaff or Tucson?
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 Tucson 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 Tucson?
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.
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona is the second largest city in the state and sits at an elevation of 2,400 feet. It's temperature is slightly milder than Phoenix and it is a pleasant place to visit. Most people arrive in the city by car, but Amtrak does travel through Tucson, as does Greyhound. The area is also served by the Tucson International Airport. Once in the city, you'll likely want to have access to a car, as the city is not very pedestrian friendly and public transportation is very much lacking. Many popular and beautiful sights are also outside of town in the surrounding desert, so having access to a vehicle is paramount if you hope to visit any of the places.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlagstaff $166Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Flagstaff is $166, while the average daily cost in Tucson is $157. 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 Flagstaff and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlagstaff $86Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlagstaff $172Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Flagstaff and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Flagstaff or Tucson? 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 Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Flagstaff $37Tucson $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Flagstaff or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson 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 $55Tucson $36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Flagstaff $28Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Flagstaff
Here are a few actual costs in Flagstaff for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- All-day Grand Canyon • Indian Ruins • Volcano • Christian Tour: $199
- Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour from Flagstaff: $299
- Antelope Slot Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour from Flagstaff: $285
- Arizona: Grand Canyon National Park Tour with Lunch & Pickup: $245
- Comprehensive Grand Canyon Tour from Flagstaff w/Lunch: $208
- Downtown Flagstaff Haunted History Tour: $28
- Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course-Adult Course: $65
- Flagstaff Ghosts Tour By Us Ghost Adventures: $30
- Flagstaff Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Flagstaff Segway Tour: $129
- Flagstaff, AZ: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Adults-Only Haunted Walking Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlagstaff $29Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Flagstaff
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Flagstaff:
- Spirits With The Spirits, Haunted Pub Crawl Of Downtown Flagstaff: $50
- Haunted Pub Crawl with Guide: $50
When comparing the travel costs between Flagstaff and Tucson, 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 Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Flagstaff or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Flagstaff. When comparing the sizes of Flagstaff and Tucson, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.