Which place is cheaper, Sedona or Key West?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Key West or Sedona? 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.
Key West is a lively, quaint, and laid-back town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the beaches, nightlife, and food.
Sedona is a desert, dramatic, and scenic town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Sedona than Key West, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sedona is better known for its museums, food, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Key West is more popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere. Key West is more touristy than Sedona and is popular for its festive nightlife, quirky town center, colorful personality, adrenaline-filled watersports, stunning beaches, turquoise water, and location at the southernmost point of the continental U.S. Sedona is well known for its stargazing, desert setting, and yoga retreats. Also, Sedona is famous for Red Rock Crossing Park.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sedona and Key West. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Sedona is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Key West does not have museums and landmarks.
Sedona offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Sedona Heritage Museum offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the area. There are also many galleries around town.
Key West does not have museums and landmarks.
Sedona is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Key West is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.
Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Sedona. It's grown into a foodie destination with local restaurants that pride themselves on using local ingredients. Mexican food is common but you'll also find cafes, classic American food, and other international options.
Key West is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Head to town for local restaurants with quirky atmospheres. There are many local dishes to sample, be the town is most known for its stone crabs, conch fritters, and Mahi Mahi sandwiches. You'll also find cold drinks and waterfront dining areas.
Key West is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Sedona is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its evening party scene.
Many people head to Key West for the nightlife scene. This area has some of the most lively nightlife in the Florida Keys. There are quirky bars and fun hangouts where you can spend the evening. The party starts at Mallory Square around sunset and many bars stay open well into the early hours. You can also enjoy sunset cruises or pass your time at one of the many tiki bars.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sedona. There are bars, live music venues, and even a casino in town. Breweries are popular and there are also upscale wine bars.
Key West and Sedona offer a relatively similar set of high quality luxury resort options.
Key West is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of high end resorts around the island, many with recognizable names such as the Hyatt and Hilton. Prices can be high, but these resorts often come with reliable luxury.
Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Sedona. Upscale resorts with spas, pools, and other amenities offer the perfect backdrop for a desert vacation.
Key West is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Sedona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Key West has a few good snorkeling spots. There are a number of dive shops and snorkeling excursions that leave from Key West. Like many tourist areas these days, the coral shows its damage from the crowds, but you'll likely see some barracuda or a Grouper.
Sedona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Key West is great for the beache. However, Sedona is not a beach destination.
Key West is considered a top beach destination. One of the best beaches in the area is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. The beach has soft sand and stunning turquoise water. As is typical in the Keys, the water stays shallow for great distances.
Sedona is not a beach destination.
Key West is great for its old town. Also, Sedona is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its historic old town charm.
Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Key West. The town has the most charming Old Town areas in the Florida Keys. Head to Mallory Square for the sunset street performers and explore the historic streets around Duval Street.
Sedona offers a nice historic old town area. Traditional architecture and historic charm give downtown Sedona a lot of character.
Sedona is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Key West is not a hiking destination.
Sedona is a popular spot for hiking. It's red rock cliffs offer the perfect setting for dramatic hikes and breathtaking views. The colors are most impressive at sunrise and sunset and some of the most famous landmarks include Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon.
Key West is not a hiking destination.
Sedona is renowned for its shopping opportunities. However, Key West is a mediocre town for its shopping areas.
The abundance of shops in Sedona make it a world-class shopping destination. It's filled with local artisan shops and art galleries that highlight the region's beauty. Head to Uptown Sedona for some of the best boutiques. You should also check out the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, the Sedona Art Center, and Hozho Distinctive Shops and Galleries.
Key West has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. While it definitely has its share of gimmicky souvenir shops and t-shirt stores, there are still a number of art galleries and local shops around Key West where you can enjoy shopping.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Key West or Sedona.
Key West is a very kid-friendly town. Families that enjoy snorkeling, aquariums, water sports, and exploring new places will enjoy visiting this part of the Florida Keys. There are many ways to get out on the water from kayaking and snorkeling to glass bottom boat tours and sunset cruises. There are also many kid-friendly beaches in the area. The town can have a party atmosphere, but it's not hard to find a more family-friendly area where everyone can have fun.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Sedona. There are impressive parks and fun outdoor activities for the whole family. Head to Slide Rock State Park where your kids can enjoy a natural waterslide. There's also the Out of Africa Wildlife Zoo as well as a canyon railroad.
Sedona is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Key West is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.
Sedona makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Stargazing in the evening or picnicking in a park during the day. There are countless romantic activities that couples can enjoy. The area is filled with striking natural beauty that is at its best during sunset. Couples will also enjoy fine dining and a variety of outdoor activities.
Key West makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. From Mallory Square to the beautiful nearby parks, Key West makes a wonderful, romantic destination. Whether it's your honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply a couples' retreat, Key West is a great option. You can sip wine on a sunset cruise or dine at one of the many character-filled restaurants in town. If you are looking for a party, it's not hard to find, but if you want a more laid back holiday, that's also possible.
Sedona is a popular place for backpackers. However, Key West is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Sedona. You'll find campgrounds, RV parks, and motels in the area, but no real hostels.
Key West is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Key West is a pretty expensive destination, but there are Airbnbs and even a hostel or two that cater to budget backpackers.
Key West is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Sedona is not popular with students.
Key West is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It's a great spring break destination with a quirky personality and many great activities.
Sedona is not popular with students.
Sedona is a moderate town for its public transit. However, Key West is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.
Public transit is generally limited in Sedona. Verde Shuttle offers shuttle routes through town.
Public transit is quite limited in Key West. Public transportation in Key West is limited to a few buses.
Key West and Sedona both are notable when exploring on foot.
Key West is a somewhat walkable place. The town is the most walkable part of the Florida Keys. The area around Mallory Square and Duval Street is the most pedestrian friendly.
Sedona is a somewhat walkable town. If you stay in Uptown Sedona, then the area is walkable, but if you're planning to stay further away then you'll need to have a car.
For even more information, also check out Is Key West Worth Visiting? and Is Sedona Worth Visiting?.
In either Key West or Sedona, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Key West than Sedona because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Key West, and 3-5 days is enough time in Sedona.
Families should spend more time in Key West than Sedona. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Key West, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Sedona than Key West. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sedona that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sedona than Key West if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sedona.
Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the quaint destination of Key West. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Sedona is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Key West is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Sedona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Key West. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Sedona is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sedona, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the quaint destination of Key West. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Sedona is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Key West is $551, while the average daily cost in Sedona is $165. 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 Key West and Sedona in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Key West or Sedona? 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Key West:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Key West:
Prices for flights to both Sedona and Key West 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Key West.
For Sedona, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Key West are as follows:
For Sedona, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sedona.
Also in Key West, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Also in Sedona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Key West and Sedona, we can see that Key West is more expensive. And not only is Sedona much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sedona would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sedona 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 Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West than you might in Sedona.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Key West Expensive? and Is Sedona Expensive?.
Key West has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sedona. When comparing the sizes of Key West and Sedona, 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.