Which place is cheaper, Jasper National Park or Gatlinburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gatlinburg or Jasper National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Gatlinburg and Jasper National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Gatlinburg or Jasper National Park?
Gatlinburg
Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national park.
Jasper National Park
An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jasper National Park, located in Canada's Alberta Province, is one of a few national and provincial parks that showcase the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to Canada, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGatlinburg $190Jasper National Park $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Gatlinburg is $190, while the average daily cost in Jasper National Park is $82. 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 Gatlinburg and Jasper National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGatlinburg $80Jasper National Park $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGatlinburg $160Jasper National Park $90
Compare Hotels in Gatlinburg and Jasper National Park
Looking for a hotel in Gatlinburg or Jasper National Park? 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: Gatlinburg Hotel Prices and Jasper National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gatlinburg $35Jasper National Park $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jasper National Park
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jasper National Park are as follows:
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Park Pass$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jasper National Park
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jasper National Park:
- Jasper Thermal Resorts to Calgary Airport YYC Departure Transfer: $170
- Jasper Thermal to Edmonton Airport (YEG) Departure Transfer: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Gatlinburg or Jasper National Park?
Prices for flights to both Jasper National Park and Gatlinburg 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 dayGatlinburg $85Jasper National Park $23
Typical Food Prices in Gatlinburg
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Gatlinburg:
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Chinese Food Dinner (for 2)$21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jasper National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Jasper National Park.
- Half-Day Jasper Culture Food Tour: $107
- Peak Nic - A hike and an outdoor cooking lesson: $119
- 4-Hours E-Bike Food Tour : $201
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gatlinburg $24Jasper National Park $7.75
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gatlinburg
For Gatlinburg, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Photos$22
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Horseback Riding (for 2)$55
Tours and Activities in Gatlinburg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gatlinburg.
- Museum of the Cherokee People Admission Ticket: $8.00
- Roaring Fork Trail Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $8.49
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Cherokee to Asheville) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
- Rocky Top Mountain Coaster Admission Ticket in Pigeon Forge: $18
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pigeon Forge by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove Self-Driving Bundle Tours: $25
- Blue Ridge Parkway: Audio Driving Tour: $25
- Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
- Ghosts of the Smokies Haunted Walking Tour: $26
Tours and Activities in Jasper National Park
Here are a few actual costs in Jasper National Park for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 5.5-Hour Jasper Wildlife and Waterfalls Tour with Maligne Lake Cruise from Jasper: $131
- Canadian Rockies Tour by Chauffeured Sidecar from Jasper: $118
- Class 3 Sunwapta River Rafting Adventure in Jasper: $94
- Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk from Jasper: $222
- Explore Jasper Tour: $122
- Explore Jasper Tour with Maligne Lake Cruise: $179
- From Jasper: Jasper National Park Wildlife Discovery Tour: $53
- Icefields Parkway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Jasper Evening Wildlife Tour: $64
- Jasper Ice Climbing Experience: $176
- Jasper National Park Tour: Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake and Spirit Island: $64
- Jasper Rock Climbing Experience: $108
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGatlinburg $15Jasper National Park $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Gatlinburg
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Gatlinburg:
- Famous Moonshine & Wine Tour From Pigeon Forge: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gatlinburg and Jasper National Park, we can see that Gatlinburg is more expensive. And not only is Jasper National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jasper National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jasper National Park 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 Gatlinburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gatlinburg than you might in Jasper National Park.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gatlinburg Expensive? and Is Jasper National Park Expensive?.
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.