A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Idaho vs. Montana for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Idaho or Montana?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Idaho or Montana? 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 Montana?

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.

Montana

Often called Big Sky Country for its vast blue skies, Montana is a state in the northwestern United States characterized by beautiful sweeping scenery from the Rocky Mountains in the west to the flatter prairie regions of the east. Some of the top attractions include Glacier National Park, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Yellowstone, and of course the Rocky Mountains.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Montana or Idaho?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Idaho is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Montana is $133. 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 Montana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Idaho -
    Montana $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Idaho $0.00
    Montana $98
Compare Hotels in Idaho and Montana

Looking for a hotel in Idaho or Montana? 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.

Hotels in Idaho


Hotels in Montana


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Idaho -
    Montana $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Idaho or Montana?

Prices for flights to both Montana 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Idaho -
    Montana $30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montana

For Montana, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Glacier National Park: Whitewater Rafting with Dinner: $113

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Idaho -
    Montana $38

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Idaho -
    Montana $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Idaho and Montana, we can see that Montana 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 Montana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montana 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 Montana Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, Idaho or Montana?

Idaho has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Montana. When comparing the sizes of Idaho and Montana, 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.