Which place is cheaper, Durango or North Conway?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit North Conway or Durango?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit North Conway or Durango? 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 Durango?
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.
Durango
Located in the State of Colorado, in the Rocky Mountains, Durango is on the tourist maps because of its historic narrow gauge railroad that connects the city to the town of Silverton. Durango has a population of just over 16,000 and it is only a short distance from the "four corners" area where New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado all meet. The landscape surrounding Durango is quite impressive and includes the Animas River Valley, the San Juan Mountains, and some beautiful red sandstone bluffs.
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 $224Durango $153
The average daily cost (per person) in North Conway is $224, while the average daily cost in Durango is $153. 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 Durango in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNorth Conway $125Durango $79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNorth Conway $250Durango $158
Compare Hotels in North Conway and Durango
Looking for a hotel in North Conway or Durango? 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 Durango Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.North Conway $52Durango $27
Is it cheaper to fly into North Conway or Durango?
Prices for flights to both Durango 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 $64Durango $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.North Conway $38Durango $46
Tours and Activities in North Conway
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for North Conway.
- 3-Hour Private Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Littleton, NH: $39
- Kancamagus Highway: Audio Driving Tour: $12
- Kancamagus Scenic Byway Audio Driving Tour Guide: $17
- Meet the Winemakers - Seven Birches Winery Tour: $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Durango
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Durango's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Hot Springs (for 2)$50
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Tubing (for 2)$40
Tours and Activities in Durango
For Durango, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Scenic Waterfall's & Ghost Town Jeep Tour La Plata's~ 2.5 hours: $84
- 12-Zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango: $173
- 12-zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango: $173
- 4 Hours Durango Colorado - Jeep Tour : $102
- 6-Zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango: $140
- 6-zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango: $140
- 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour: $108
- Colorado: Million Dollar Highway Self-Driving Audio Tour: $14
- Durango Jeep Tour — La Plata Canyon: $130
- Durango Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Durango Rafting - Animas River Adventure Day: $185
- La Plata Canyon Exclusive Access Jeep Tour: $99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNorth Conway $33Durango $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between North Conway and Durango, we can see that North Conway is more expensive. And not only is Durango much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durango would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durango 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 Durango.
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 Durango Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, North Conway or Durango?
Durango has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of North Conway and Durango, 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.
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.