A Travel Price Comparison for Alaska Ketchikan vs. Denali National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ketchikan or Denali 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 Ketchikan and Denali National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Ketchikan or Denali National Park?

Ketchikan

Ketchikan, Alaska is located at the southern end of the well-known Alaskan inside passage. It is often called the beginning of the last frontier, because of it's location near the southern entrance of Alaska. It is a beautiful and quaint town, that leaves you feeling like you may have gone back in time with its storefront lined streets and natural beauty. Ketchikan has been called some of the most beautifully stunning wilderness area in the world. It is known as the Salmon Capital of the World due to the superior century old fishing industry in the area. The Native Culture in Ketchikan is extremely rich and it is home to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian tribes. The nearby Tongass rainforest provides red cedar trees for the popular totem poles, which are abundant in the area.

Denali National Park

There is a place in Alaska, 240 miles wide, where you can be a part of the wild frontier. The expansive and untouched area of Denali National Park welcomes thousands of visitors ever year with stunning natural wonders and incredible wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou and more.

As home to North America's tallest peak, Denali has attracted nature adventurers from all over the world. Established in 1917 as wildlife refuge, Denali National Park contains areas of tundra and taiga. Taiga zones are covered in evergreen, spruce and aspen trees, while tundra zones are full of miniaturized versions of the plants including flowers, mosses and shrubs.

Remember that the weather changes without warning in Denali. It is a well known to the locals that you can expect sun, wind, rain and clouds in the same day. Pack accordingly.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Denali National Park or Ketchikan?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Ketchikan is $220, while the average daily cost in Denali National Park is $218. 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 Ketchikan and Denali National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ketchikan $136
    Denali National Park $116
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ketchikan $272
    Denali National Park $232
Compare Hotels in Ketchikan and Denali National Park

Looking for a hotel in Ketchikan or Denali 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.

Hotels in Ketchikan


Hotels in Denali National Park


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.
    Ketchikan $39
    Denali National Park $76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ketchikan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ketchikan are as follows:


  • Bus Ride
    $1.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denali National Park

Also for Denali National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shuttle Transfer Anchorage to/from Denali National Park: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Ketchikan or Denali National Park?

Prices for flights to both Denali National Park and Ketchikan 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
    Ketchikan $53
    Denali National Park $57
Typical Food Prices in Ketchikan

Some typical examples of dining costs in Ketchikan are as follows:


  • Slice of Pie & Drink
    $5.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ketchikan $46
    Denali National Park $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ketchikan

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ketchikan are as follows:


  • Ticket to Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
    $35
  • Duck Tour (one person)
    $38
  • Bear Viewing Tour
    $83

Tours and Activities in Ketchikan

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ketchikan are as follows:

  • “OVER THE TOP TOURS”AK Wildlife & Totem poles Tour.: $95
  • 2 Hour Alaska Rainforest Walk and Totem Park Small Group Tour: $85
  • 2.5 Hour Tour in Ketchikan on the Tongass Trolley: $72
  • AdVenture with the Venturer: $199
  • Adventure Kart Expedition- Ketchikan, AK: $280
  • Alaska Bigfoot Adventures: $149
  • Alaska Marine Fast Boat Adventure : $194
  • Alaska Native Cultural Immersion Experience and Ketchikan Tour: $89
  • Alaskan Cultural, Culinary and Lumberjack Show Experience: $149
  • Alaskan Lodge Adventure and Seafeast: $196
  • Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour from Ketchikan: $229
  • Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour: $219

Tours and Activities in Denali National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.

  • 2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour: $79
  • Midnight Sun ATV Adventure 2.5 Hour Tour: $79
  • 3 Hour Naturalist Walking Tour in Denali National Park: $110
  • Denali ATV Trailblazer 3.5 Hour Tour : $114
  • Denali National Park Walking Tour: $125
  • Wilds of Alaska Classic ATV Adventure: $140
  • Classic ATV Adventure with Back Country Dining: $150
  • Alaskan Back Country Side by Side ATV Adventure with Meal: $150
  • 5-Hour Mountain Hiking Tour in Denali: $160
  • Denali Park Zipline Adventure: $165
  • Half Day: Husky Sled Dog Tour and Lunch at Famous Restaurant: $175
  • 4 Hour Wilderness Wonders Tour in Denali: $190

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ketchikan $23
    Denali National Park $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Ketchikan

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ketchikan:

  • Ketchikan Pub Crawl: $79


When comparing the travel costs between Ketchikan and Denali National Park, we can see that Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan Expensive? and Is Denali National Park Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Ketchikan or Denali National Park?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Ketchikan or Denali National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ketchikan as well as Denali National Park.

In the summer, Ketchikan is around the same temperature as Denali National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ketchikan in July average around 58°F (15°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 60°F (15°C).

Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ketchikan usually gets more rain in July than Denali National Park. Ketchikan gets 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ketchikan 58°F (15°C) 
    Denali National Park 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Ketchikan or Denali National Park in the Autumn?

Both Denali National Park and Ketchikan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Denali National Park. In October, Ketchikan is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Ketchikan average around 46°F (8°C), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).

It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. In October, Ketchikan usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. Ketchikan gets 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ketchikan 46°F (8°C) 
    Denali National Park 32°F (0°C)

Should I visit Ketchikan or Denali National Park in the Winter?

Both Denali National Park and Ketchikan during the winter are popular places to visit.

Denali National Park can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Ketchikan. Ketchikan is much warmer than Denali National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Ketchikan averages around 34°F (1°C) in January, and Denali National Park fluctuates around 11°F (-12°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. Ketchikan usually gets more rain in January than Denali National Park. Ketchikan gets 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ketchikan 34°F (1°C) 
    Denali National Park 11°F (-12°C)

Should I visit Ketchikan or Denali National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ketchikan and Denali National Park.

Denali National Park can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Ketchikan is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ketchikan in April average around 44°F (6°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 34°F (1°C).

Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Ketchikan usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. Ketchikan gets 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ketchikan 44°F (6°C) 
    Denali National Park 34°F (1°C)

Typical Weather for Denali National Park and Ketchikan

Ketchikan Denali National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 34°F (1°C) 14.9 inches (379 mm) 11°F (-12°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Feb 38°F (3°C) 13.2 inches (335 mm) 16°F (-9°C) 1.4 inches (37 mm)
Mar 39°F (4°C) 10.6 inches (270 mm) 23°F (-5°C) 1.5 inches (37 mm)
Apr 44°F (6°C) 11.3 inches (286 mm) 34°F (1°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)
May 49°F (9°C) 9.3 inches (237 mm) 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Jun 54°F (12°C) 8.2 inches (209 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Jul 58°F (15°C) 7.6 inches (193 mm) 60°F (15°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Aug 59°F (15°C) 11.1 inches (281 mm) 56°F (14°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm)
Sep 54°F (12°C) 13.2 inches (335 mm) 47°F (9°C) 4.2 inches (108 mm)
Oct 46°F (8°C) 22.9 inches (581 mm) 32°F (0°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Nov 40°F (4°C) 17.3 inches (441 mm) 18°F (-8°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Dec 36°F (2°C) 15.7 inches (398 mm) 13°F (-11°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm)


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