Which place is cheaper, Reno or North Conway?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit North Conway or Reno?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit North Conway or Reno? 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 Reno?
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.
Reno
In the northwest area of Nevada, Reno sits at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. After Las Vegas, it's the second most popular tourist destination in the state of Nevada. You'll find some nice resorts, elaborate casinos, nice restaurants and unique opportunities for entertainment throughout the city.
The city, referred to as "The Biggest Little City in the World", has a population of about 235,000. It's part of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, which has a population of about 440,000.
Reno is located in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The city has a steppe climate with light to moderate snowfall in the winter months. Precipitation is most common during the winter and spring, but the city averages about 300 days of sunshine a year. Average temperatures are 35 degrees Fahrenheit in December and 75 degrees Fahrenheit in July.
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 $224Reno $144
The average daily cost (per person) in North Conway is $224, while the average daily cost in Reno is $144. 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 Reno in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNorth Conway $125Reno $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNorth Conway $250Reno $110
Compare Hotels in North Conway and Reno
Looking for a hotel in North Conway or Reno? 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 Reno Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.North Conway $52Reno $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Reno
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Reno:
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Car Wash$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reno
Also for Reno, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Reno Tahoe Airport to Heavenly Mountain - Round-Trip Transfer: $218
- Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Mammoth Mountain: Arrival Transfer: $185
- Reno Tahoe Airport to Northstar/Squaw Valley - Arrival Transfer: $163
- Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $133
- Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Heavenly Mountain - Arrival Transfer: $109
- Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Private Arrival Transfer : $66
- Reno to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into North Conway or Reno?
Prices for flights to both Reno 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 $64Reno $54
Typical Food Prices in Reno
For Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dennys for Breakfast$22
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Sushi DInner (for 2)$40
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In-n-Out Burger (for 3)$19
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.North Conway $38Reno $88
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
Tours and Activities in Reno
For Reno, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- ATV - Tours & Trap Shooting Combo Packages from Reno: $129
- (18+) Private 30-Minute Axe Throwing Experience Ticket: $40
- 45 Minutes Twinkle Tours in Reno: $130
- Biking Adventure Tour from Reno: $102
- Burning Man Art and Downtown Mural Private Tour: $65
- Carson City Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Downtown Reno Tour: $55
- Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Experience Raptors and Falconry in Reno: $125
- From Reno Arch to Truckee River: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Historic Donner Party, Immigrant Trail and Lake Tahoe Photo Tour from Reno: $206
- Horseback Riding Adventure from Reno: $279
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNorth Conway $33Reno $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Reno
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Reno:
- 1 Hour Distillery Tour and Tasting Flight: $25
- Brewery Tour: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between North Conway and Reno, we can see that North Conway is more expensive. And not only is Reno much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Reno would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Reno 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 Reno.
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 Reno Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, North Conway or Reno?
Reno has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of North Conway and Reno, 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.