Which place is cheaper, Alaska or Idaho?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Idaho or Alaska?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Idaho or Alaska? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Idaho or Alaska?
Idaho
Perhaps best known for its "Famous Potatoes," Idaho's true nickname is "The Gem State" and is full of a kind of wild beauty that comes with snow-capped mountains, raging rivers, placid lakes, and dense forests. Agriculture mostly lies in the eastern part of the state, while the wilderness of northern and central Idaho consists of some of the state's greatest natural treasures, dotted with a few cities and college towns.
Alaska
Alaska joined the United States of America as the 49th state. The US purchased the area from the Russian Empire in 1867 for just 7.2 million dollars (about two cents an acre). It became an organized territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It is separated from the rest of the country by Canada and, although it is the largest state, it is the least densely populated and for many years had the lowest population. It covers an area equal to California, Texas and Montana combined and lies on the Arctic Circle. Many people consider Alaska to be the United State's "final frontier" because of its vast wilderness. It is also where you will find the highest point in North America.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIdaho $0.00Alaska $243
The average daily cost (per person) in Idaho is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Alaska is $243. 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 Idaho and Alaska in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIdaho -Alaska $135
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIdaho $0.00Alaska $270
Compare Hotels in Idaho and Alaska
Looking for a hotel in Idaho or Alaska? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Idaho -Alaska $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
- Private Departure Transfer to Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
- Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC: $62
- Shuttle Transfer: Anchorage ↔ Denali National Park: $150
- Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $197
- Anchorage to Seward- Pre-Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $219
- Private Transfer Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Whittier Cruise Port: $232
- Private Transfer Whittier Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport ANC: $232
- SUV-Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- SUV-Private Transfer, Whittier Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
- SUV-Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage : $299
Is it cheaper to fly into Idaho or Alaska?
Prices for flights to both Alaska and Idaho 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 dayIdaho -Alaska $57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $210
- Kenai Fjords Glacier Dinner Cruise from Seward: $213
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Idaho -Alaska $65
Tours and Activities in Idaho
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Idaho are as follows:
- Boise Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- Gold Rush Boomtown: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Skagway: $5.00
- Juneau, The Last Frontier Self Guided (Smart Phone App/GPS) Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
- Fort Seward: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Alaska’s historical Port Chilkoot: $6.99
- Seward Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Skagway Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Sensational Sitka Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- 30 Minute Tour of Totem Park | NATIONAL PARK: $19
- DIY Skagway Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $20
- Anchorage Trolley Tour: $25
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $34
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $34
- Guided Walking Tour of Sitka | HISTORIC DOWNTOWN: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIdaho -Alaska $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings: $179
- Guided Tour on Matanuska Glacier w/Alaska Honey & Wine Tasting: $285
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Idaho and Alaska, we can see that Alaska is more expensive. And not only is Idaho much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Idaho would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Idaho 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 Alaska would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alaska than you might in Idaho.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Idaho Expensive? and Is Alaska Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Idaho or Alaska?
Idaho has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of Idaho and Alaska, 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.