Should you visit Phoenix or Vail?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Phoenix and Vail can help. 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.
Vail
Vail is one of the premier ski resort areas in the United States. Located in central Colorado, Vail is not far from Denver and situated in the heart of the Rockies. Here you'll find a quaint mountain town designed around tourism, especially for the winter, although plenty of visitors come in the warmer months, too.
High-end hotels, condos, and other accommodation options are surrounded by shops and restaurants that are all somewhat expensive compared to other costs in the United States. Because of this, Vail is definitely not considered an “affordable” travel option for many. However, good deals can be found if you look around and do some research.
Which city is cheaper, Vail or Phoenix?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Phoenix is $114, while the average daily cost in Vail is $233. 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 Phoenix and Vail in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $92 for a double occupancy room in Phoenix If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $278 in Vail For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
In Phoenix travelers spend around $42 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
Vail food costs typically run travelers around $60 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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Phoenix $42
Vail $60
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:
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Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class:
$65
Local Transportation
Phoenix's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $16 per person, per day on transportation in Phoenix.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Vail than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $16 on transportation in Vail on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phoenix
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer: Phoenix to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX):
$622
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Private Transfer: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to Phoenix:
$622
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SUV Airport One Way Transfer Phoenix to Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona, or Tucson:
$334
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Sedan Airport One Way Transfer Phoenix to Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona or Tucson:
$309
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Airport VAN Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address:
$213
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Airport VAN Phoenix One Way Transfer Phoenix Address:
$213
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Phoenix Round Trip Private Airport-Hotel Transfer:
$176
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Phoenix Airport Transfers : Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury Van:
$131
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Phoenix Airport Transfers : Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury Van:
$131
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Airport SUV Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address:
$121
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Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) to Phoenix - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$119
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Private Phoenix Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$114
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vail
Also for Vail, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Airport Transfer Service - Vail Hotels to Denver Int'l Airport:
$600
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Private Transfer: Vail to Denver International Airport (DEN):
$576
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Transfer in private minivan from Vail city to Denver International Airport (DEN):
$291
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Private Eagle County Airport Transfer to Vail:
$210
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Private Eagle County Regional Airport Transfer to Beaver Creek:
$190
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Private Departure Transfer to Vail Airport EGE:
$128
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Shared Transfer from Vail or Beaver Creek to Denver Downtown:
$99
Is it cheaper to fly into Phoenix or Vail?
Prices for flights to both Vail 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Phoenix can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $29 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing expenses in Vail, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $106 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Phoenix
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
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2-Day Grand Canyon Tour from Phoenix:
$539
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3-Day Sedona and Grand Canyon Rail Experience:
$820
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4 Person Guided U Drive Jeep Experience:
$650
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A Day In The Old West Adventure including Horseback Ride and Cowboy Lunch:
$325
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ATV Rentals and Tours:
$350
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Apache Trail Full Day Small Group Tour:
$139
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Apache Trail Small Group Tour with Canyon Lake Cruise:
$165
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Apache Trail and Dolly Steamboat Tour:
$129
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Awesome Instagram Tour of Phoenix:
$150
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BYOB Pedal Bar Experience In Old Town Scottsdale:
$53
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Biplane - 30 Minute Scenic Sightseeing Tour in Phoenix:
$250
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Christmas | Holiday Lights ISM Zoomtown Lights 2 Hour Tour:
$320
Tours and Activities in Vail
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vail.
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Aspen Independence Pass Day Tour:
$545
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Blackhawk-Central City Casino Tour from Vail:
$377
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Dillon Marina & Shopping Tour:
$267
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Fall Leaves Tour from Vail:
$373
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Glenwood Adventure Park Tour:
$350
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Glenwood Hot Springs Tour:
$377
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Historic Mining Town Tour:
$693
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Listen to a Tour Guide While you Drive between Vail & Denver:
$3.75
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Vail Segway Tour from Vail Village:
$89
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2-Hour Small-Group Guided Segway Tour:
$89
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Phoenix, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $13.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Vail, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $7.83.
Sample the Local Flavors in Phoenix
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
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Wine Tours, Airport Transportation and more!:
$100
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Custom Arizona Brewery Tour:
$245
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Private Southern Arizona Wine Tour Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards:
$997
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Private Wine Tour from Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards:
$1,650
Sample the Local Flavors in Vail
Also in Vail, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Vail Valley Brewery & Wine Tour:
$377
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Palisade Wine Tour from Vail:
$779
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phoenix and Vail, we can see that Vail is more expensive. And not only is Phoenix much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Phoenix would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phoenix 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 Vail would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vail than you might in Phoenix.
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