Should you visit Olympic National Park or Yellowstone National Park?
Should I visit Olympic National Park or Yellowstone National Park? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is in Washington State and was originally established as a national monument in 1909. The area is known for its large Sitka spice and Douglas fir trees, which can be found in the Hoh and Queets rainforest valleys on the western side of the park. The area's temperate rainforest climate creates lush thick moss and dense vegetation that gives the setting a fairytale quality.
Yellowstone National Park
The world's first national park, Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872. The area is famous for its many geysers, hot springs, and thermal areas. It also has a wide diversity of wildlife and stunning beauty, making it one of the most impressive places you can visit in the United States. The national park takes up an area of about 3,472 square miles and is mostly located within the state of Wyoming. It also touches the states of Idaho and Montana.
Which city is cheaper, Yellowstone National Park or Olympic National Park?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Average Daily Cost
Per person, per day
Olympic National Park
$99
Yellowstone National Park
$118
The average daily cost (per person) in Olympic National Park is $99, while the average daily cost in Yellowstone National Park is $118. 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 Olympic National Park and Yellowstone National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $39. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Olympic National Park the cost is $78 on average.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $60. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Yellowstone National Park the cost is $120 on average.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Olympic National Park $39
Yellowstone National Park $60
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Olympic National Park
$78
Yellowstone National Park
$120
Food
Olympic National Park food costs typically run travelers around $28 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
While meal prices in Yellowstone National Park can vary, the average travelers spends about $37 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Yellowstone National Park should cost around $15 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Yellowstone National Park is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Olympic National Park is $54 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $30 per day to get around in Yellowstone National Park.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Olympic National Park $54
Yellowstone National Park $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Olympic National Park or Yellowstone National Park?
Prices for flights to both Yellowstone National Park and Olympic National Park 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
Olympic National Park's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $21 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $26 per person, per day in Yellowstone National Park. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Olympic National Park $21
Yellowstone National Park $26
Tours and Activities in Yellowstone National Park
Here are a few actual costs in Yellowstone National Park for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch:
$150
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E-Bike Tours in Yellowstone National Park:
$175
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Private Yellowstone Geology Tour with Wildlife, Hiking, and Geysers and Lunch:
$1,450
Alcohol
The average person spends about $4.46 on alcoholic beverages in Olympic National Park per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Yellowstone National Park may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $16 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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Alcohol
Drinks for one day
Olympic National Park $4.46
Yellowstone National Park $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Olympic National Park and Yellowstone National Park, we can see that Yellowstone National Park is more expensive. And not only is Olympic National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Olympic National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Olympic National Park 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 Yellowstone National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yellowstone National Park than you might in Olympic National Park.
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