Which place is cheaper, Anchorage or North Conway?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit North Conway or Anchorage?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit North Conway or Anchorage? 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: North Conway or Anchorage?
North Conway
North Conway is a small town in New Hampshire in the Mount Washington Valley (MWV). The entire valley is a popular vacation area year-round due to the multiple ski resorts and summer activities including amusement parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more.
Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It's known for its cultural sites and also as a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains. From the sparkling waters of Cook Inlet to the tallest peaks of the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage encompasses incredible adventures and metropolitan appeals that are larger than life. With 1,500 moose, incredible national parks nearby and 60 glaciers a short drive away, it's a dream destination in Alaska.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNorth Conway $224Anchorage $191
The average daily cost (per person) in North Conway is $224, while the average daily cost in Anchorage is $191. 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 North Conway and Anchorage in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNorth Conway $125Anchorage $117
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNorth Conway $250Anchorage $234
Compare Hotels in North Conway and Anchorage
Looking for a hotel in North Conway or Anchorage? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: North Conway Hotel Prices and Anchorage Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.North Conway $52Anchorage $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Anchorage
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Anchorage:
- SUV-Private Transfer, Whittier Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
- SUV-Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- Anchorage to Seward- Pre-Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $219
- Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $197
- Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC: $62
Is it cheaper to fly into North Conway or Anchorage?
Prices for flights to both Anchorage and North Conway 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 dayNorth Conway $64Anchorage $50
Typical Food Prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of dining costs in Anchorage are as follows:
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Bread$4.25
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Breakfast for Two$17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Anchorage
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Anchorage.
- City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.North Conway $38Anchorage $30
Tours and Activities in North Conway
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for North Conway.
- Kancamagus Highway: Audio Driving Tour: $12
- Kancamagus Scenic Byway Audio Driving Tour Guide: $17
- 3-Hour Private Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Littleton, NH: $39
- Meet the Winemakers - Seven Birches Winery Tour: $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Anchorage are as follows:
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1 Day Bike Rental$33
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1/2 Day Rafting Trip$105
Tours and Activities in Anchorage
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Anchorage are as follows:
- 26 Glacier Tour, Self-Drive from Anchorage, AK: $226
- 3 Hour Ladies Only Kayak Tour in Knik River: $130
- Advanced Snowshoeing Adventure: $238
- Alaska 9 Day Ocean Wildlife to Interior Wilderness Adventure: $6,999
- Alaska Wildlife Day Tour with Free Hotel Pickup: $115
- Alaska Wildlife Tour: $110
- Alaska's Most Scenic E-Bike Adventure: $224
- Anchorage Brews Tour: $169
- Anchorage City Tour w/ Taste of Wild Smoked Salmon & Reindeer Sausage: $69
- Anchorage City Tour w/ Wild Smoked Salmon & Reindeer Sausage: $73
- Anchorage City Tour, w/Chocolate Factory Samplings & Much More!: $59
- Anchorage Ice Fishing Adventure: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNorth Conway $33Anchorage $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Anchorage
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Anchorage:
- Chocolate and Wine Tasting Tour: $109
- 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 North Conway and Anchorage, we can see that North Conway is more expensive. And not only is Anchorage much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Anchorage would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Anchorage 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 North Conway would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in North Conway than you might in Anchorage.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is North Conway Expensive? and Is Anchorage Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, North Conway or Anchorage?
Anchorage has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of North Conway and Anchorage, 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.
When is the best time to visit North Conway or Anchorage?
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 North Conway or Anchorage in the Summer?
Both Anchorage and North Conway during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Anchorage for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, North Conway is generally a little warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in North Conway average around 69°F (20°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).
In Anchorage, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in North Conway. In the summer, North Conway often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. North Conway gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun.
North Conway usually gets more rain in July than Anchorage. North Conway gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNorth Conway 69°F (20°C)Anchorage 59°F (15°C)
Should I visit North Conway or Anchorage in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both North Conway and Anchorage. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. North Conway is much warmer than Anchorage in the autumn. The daily temperature in North Conway averages around 49°F (9°C) in October, and Anchorage fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).
North Conway usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during autumn. North Conway gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, North Conway usually receives more rain than Anchorage. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNorth Conway 49°F (9°C)Anchorage 35°F (2°C)
Should I visit North Conway or Anchorage in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to North Conway as well as Anchorage. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.
It's quite cold in Anchorage in the winter. The weather in North Conway can be very cold. In the winter, North Conway is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the winter temperatures in North Conway in January average around 21°F (-6°C), and Anchorage averages at about 15°F (-9°C).
In the winter, North Conway often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. North Conway gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun.
North Conway usually gets more rain in January than Anchorage. North Conway gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNorth Conway 21°F (-6°C)Anchorage 15°F (-9°C)
Should I visit North Conway or Anchorage in the Spring?
Both Anchorage and North Conway are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Anchorage. In April, North Conway is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in North Conway average around 43°F (6°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).
It's quite sunny in Anchorage. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in North Conway. North Conway usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during spring. North Conway gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, North Conway usually receives more rain than Anchorage. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNorth Conway 43°F (6°C)Anchorage 36°F (2°C)
Typical Weather for Anchorage and North Conway
| North Conway | Anchorage | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°F (-6°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Feb | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Mar | 33°F (1°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Apr | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| Jun | 63°F (17°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Jul | 69°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Aug | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Sep | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 49°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Oct | 49°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Nov | 39°F (4°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Dec | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 17°F (-8°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
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.