Should you visit Napa Valley or Aspen?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Napa Valley and Aspen can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Napa Valley
Napa Valley, in the Bay Area of California, is a popular destination for its wineries and beautiful scenery. The area, referred to as Wine Country, is just north of San Francisco and makes for a great day or weekend trip. Many honeymooners visit the area for its romantic setting and popular bed and breakfasts. The best time to visit is during the months of September and October when the grapes are wipe. This time is referred to as the harvest "crush." The summer months are also a popular time but the crowds are often overwhelming.
Aspen
Aspen is a famous, and notably expensive travel destination. The town is one of the country's most famous and recognizable ski destinations, and prices can climb high during the ski season. Although still expensive, you can often find better deals during the summer months or shoulder seasons. For visitors who want to enjoy the area's hiking, natural beauty, and charm, these are the times to visit.
Which city is cheaper, Aspen or Napa Valley?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Napa Valley is $230, while the average daily cost in Aspen is $235. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Napa Valley and Aspen in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $202 for a double occupancy room in Napa Valley If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Aspen is $272. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
Food in Napa Valley costs travelers about $50 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The price of a meal in Aspen can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $68 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $27 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Napa Valley $50
Aspen $68
Local Transportation
Napa Valley's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $146 per person, per day on transportation in Napa Valley.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $45 per day to get around in Aspen.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aspen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aspen:
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Private Transfer: Aspen to Denver International Airport (DEN):
$1,321
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Aspen hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer:
$796
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Private Eagle County Regional Airport Transfer to Aspen:
$400
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Private Departure Transfer to Aspen Airport (ASE):
$36
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Private Arrival Transfer from Aspen Airport (ASE):
$36
Is it cheaper to fly into Napa Valley or Aspen?
Prices for flights to both Aspen and Napa Valley 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Napa Valley can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $22 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $36 per person, per day in Aspen. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Aspen
Here are a few actual costs in Aspen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Aspen's DarkSide Ghost Tour:
$40
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Aspen's Past to Present Historic Tour:
$40
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Glimpse of Aspen Tour:
$40
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Napa Valley, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $53.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Aspen may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $16 per day on alcoholic beverages.
When comparing the travel costs between Napa Valley and Aspen, we can see that Aspen 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.
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