Should you visit Phoenix or San Diego?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Phoenix and San Diego can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Phoenix
The most populous city in the American Southwest, Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and busiest hub of activity in the general area. Geographically it is located in the Sonoran Desert, making for long hot summers and mild winters. This climate has ensured a thriving tourism industry with plenty of attractions both in and around Phoenix.
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.
Which city is cheaper, San Diego or Phoenix?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Phoenix is $187, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $161. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Phoenix and San Diego in more detail.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phoenix
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer: Phoenix to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX):
$622
-
Private Transfer: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to Phoenix:
$622
-
SUV Airport One Way Transfer Phoenix to Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona, or Tucson:
$334
-
Sedan Airport One Way Transfer Phoenix to Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona or Tucson:
$309
-
Airport VAN Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address:
$213
-
Airport VAN Phoenix One Way Transfer Phoenix Address:
$213
-
Phoenix Round Trip Private Airport-Hotel Transfer:
$176
-
Phoenix Airport Transfers : Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury Van:
$131
-
Phoenix Airport Transfers : Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury Van:
$131
-
Private Transfer to/from Phoenix Airport (PHX):
$128
-
Airport SUV Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address:
$121
-
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) to Phoenix - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$119
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private transfer: San Diego to San Diego Airport (SAN):
$622
-
Private transfer: San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Diego:
$622
-
San Diego Private Transfer To N. Hollywood/Burbank area.:
$398
-
Tijuana Border Crossing Private Transfer To Los Angeles.:
$398
-
San Diego Private Transfer To Palm Springs.:
$398
-
Private Transfer from San Diego to Hollywood Burbank:
$397
-
San Diego Private Transfer To Los Angeles.:
$389
-
San Diego to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer:
$357
-
San Diego to Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) - Departure Private Transfer:
$342
-
Private Transfer From San Diego To Orange County.:
$298
-
Private San Diego Transfer: Cruise Port to Airport or Hotel:
$192
-
Private San Diego Transfer: Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port:
$128
Is it cheaper to fly into Phoenix or San Diego?
Prices for flights to both San Diego and Phoenix 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 day
Phoenix $42
San Diego $36
Typical Food prices in Phoenix
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phoenix
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class:
$65
Typical Food prices in San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
-
Mexican Lunch for Two
$27
-
Breakfast at Starbucks
$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
San Diego North Park Food Tour:
$49
-
Liberty Station Food Tour:
$49
-
Market and Guacamole Cooking Class in Tijuana Mexico:
$89
-
Private Cooking Demonstration of Indian Fusion Cuisine in San Diego:
$96
-
Farmers Market Tour & Social Cooking With A Chef:
$100
-
San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise:
$111
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours San Diego:
$129
-
Secret Food Tours San Diego w/ Private Tour Option:
$277
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Phoenix
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
-
2-Day Grand Canyon Tour from Phoenix:
$539
-
3-Day Sedona and Grand Canyon Rail Experience:
$820
-
4 Person Guided U Drive Jeep Experience:
$650
-
A Day In The Old West Adventure including Horseback Ride and Cowboy Lunch:
$325
-
ATV Rentals and Tours:
$350
-
Apache Trail Full Day Small Group Tour:
$149
-
Apache Trail and Dolly Steamboat Tour:
$129
-
Awesome Instagram Tour of Phoenix:
$150
-
BYOB Pedal Bar Experience In Old Town Scottsdale:
$53
-
Biplane - 30 Minute Scenic Sightseeing Tour in Phoenix:
$250
-
Christmas | Holiday Lights ISM Zoomtown Lights 2 Hour Tour:
$320
-
Christmas | Holiday light Illuminations Symphony of lights only 2 hour Tours:
$320
Typical Entertainment prices in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
San Diego Zoo
$15
-
Sea World Parking
$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
-
1-Hour Voodoo Escape Room Experience in San Diego:
$35
-
1Hr GPS Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter:
$63
-
2 Hour Whale Watching Kayak Tour for Two:
$77
-
4 Hour Whale Watching/Eco Adventure:
$163
-
Affordable, Luxury Sailing Tour of San Diego's Bay and Coastal Waterways:
$112
-
All Day San Diego City and Shopping Tour:
$95
-
All Inclusive Beer Tour-Party bus:
$169
-
Behind-the-Scenes at Petco Park Tour:
$23
-
Brothels, Bites and Booze: A Culinary Tour of San Diego's Questionable Past:
$69
-
Catamaran Sailing Cruise on San Diego Bay for up to 12 Guests:
$1,200
-
Catamaran Sailing Cruise on San Diego Bay for up to 6 Guests:
$600
-
Coastal Beauty - Private Sunset & Night Photography Tour:
$455
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Phoenix
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
-
Wine Tours, Airport Transportation and more!:
$100
-
Custom Arizona Brewery Tour:
$245
-
Scottsdale: Mountain Biking and Brewery Tour:
$250
-
From Phoenix/Scottsdale: Sedona Hiking & Wine Tasting Tour:
$275
-
Private Southern Arizona Wine Tour Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards:
$997
-
Private Wine Tour from Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards:
$1,650
Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
San Diego Bar Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Wine Tasting Or Beer Tasting:
$15
-
San Diego Brewery Tour:
$85
-
San Diego Micro Brewery Tour:
$91
-
The San Diego Downtown Craft Brewery Tour:
$95
-
The San Diego Downtown Craft Brewery Tour:
$101
-
Private San Diego Brewery Tour:
$107
-
All inclusive brewery tour-Fire Truck:
$189
-
Luxury Private Wine Tasting Tour to Guadalupe Valley from San Diego.:
$249
-
Private Wine Tour of Temecula from San Diego:
$475
When comparing the travel costs between Phoenix and San Diego, we can see that Phoenix 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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