Which place is cheaper, Denali National Park or Saint Simons?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Saint Simons or Denali National Park? 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.
Saint Simons is a laid back, scenic, and relaxing island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, food, and beaches.
Denali National Park is a spectacular, epic, and vast park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for hiking.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Simons. Although Saint Simons and Denali National Park are popular destinations, Saint Simons has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Simons is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Denali National Park attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Saint Simons is famous for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. It is also well known for East Beach. Denali National Park is famous for its vast wilderness and iconic Alaskan wildlife.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Denali National Park and Saint Simons. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Both Saint Simons and Denali National Park have reasonable landmarks and museums for visitors.
Saint Simons offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.
While most people don't head to Denali National Park specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Denali's Museum Collection includes more than 25,000 different items that reflect the region's history, culture, and geology.
Saint Simons is a great island for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Denali National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Saint Simons has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.
Denali National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. During the summer months there are restaurants open along Highway 3 as well as the Morino Grill near the Denali Visitor Center.
Saint Simons is adequate for nightlife and partying. However, Denali National Park is not known for its evening party scene.
Saint Simons doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.
People don't go to Denali National Park for the nightlife. Visitors come to the park to see the nature, not for the nightlife.
Saint Simons and Denali National Park offer a relatively similar set of nice luxury resort options.
Saint Simons has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.
With a selection of resorts, Denali National Park makes a nice vacation spot. Most visitors stay nearby the Denali Park Entrance. It has the most affordable hotels and lodges, some of which have a lot of personality. Alternatively, you could stay in the more remote area of Kantishna. These lodges are more expensive and all-inclusive, but they are also far away from most conveniences.
Saint Simons is a great island for the beache. However, Denali National Park is not a beach destination.
Saint Simons is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.
Denali National Park is not a beach destination.
If you're looking to go hiking, Saint Simons and Denali National Park both have nice trails.
Saint Simons is a good destination for hiking. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.
Many people include a hike when visiting Denali National Park. If you're looking for a marked trail, there are limited options within the park. Those that do exist are located near the park entrance and are usually just a couple of miles long. Off-trail hiking is what makes for the most memorable experience. Make sure you stop off at the visitor center for information and knowledge before you venture into the wilderness without a trail. For obvious reasons, you should fully understand what this entails before beginning your adventure.
Saint Simons is a great island for its shopping opportunities. However, Denali National Park is not known for its shopping areas.
Saint Simons is well-known for its shopping. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.
Denali National Park has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are several park stores and shops in and near the park where you can pick up gifts, books, and souvenirs.
Saint Simons is a great island for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Denali National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice park for its family-friendly activities.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Simons is very family-friendly. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.
Denali National Park is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people visit the park as part of a tour, so it's important to book a tour that is designed with families in mind. This will help ensure the kids stay entertained even during long bus rides.
With fun activities for couples, both Saint Simons and Denali National Park make for a great place to visit.
Couples visit Saint Simons frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.
Denali National Park is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures and stunning scenery will find the ultimate romance in this impressive park.
Denali National Park is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.
Denali National Park is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are millions of acres in the park as well as campgrounds, hostels, and vast backcountry (which requires a permit).
Saint Simons is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are campgrounds in the area that offer access to the island.
Denali National Park is a park with a few options for its public transit. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.
Public transit is generally limited in Denali National Park. There are free shuttle buses that leave from the entrance area, but many visitors organize a tour to get around.
Public transit is quite limited in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.
Saint Simons is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Denali National Park is not known for its ease of walking around.
Saint Simons is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.
Denali National Park is not a walkable island. The park is vast and you need some form of transportation to get around, whether it's a private vehicle or a pre-arranged tour.
For even more information, also check out Is Saint Simons Worth Visiting? and Is Denali National Park Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Saint Simons or Denali National Park. In our opinion, Saint Simons has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint Simons than Denali National Park. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Saint Simons than Denali National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint Simons, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Saint Simons than Denali National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Simons that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Saint Simons is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
In Denali National Park, many people enjoy the that this spectacular park offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
Saint Simons is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Denali National Park is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Many people visit Saint Simons for five days. Saint Simons is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
You'll find around the vast destination of Denali National Park. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.
Because Saint Simons is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. It's also a great beach destination, too. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Denali National Park is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Simons is $176, while the average daily cost in Denali National Park is $218. 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 Saint Simons and Denali National Park in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Saint Simons or Denali National Park? 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.
Also for Denali National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Denali National Park and Saint Simons 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Simons and Denali National Park, we can see that Denali National Park is more expensive. And not only is Saint Simons much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Simons would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Simons 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 Denali National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denali National Park than you might in Saint Simons.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Simons Expensive? and Is Denali National Park Expensive?.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Denali National Park and Saint Simons during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Denali National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Saint Simons is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Simons in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 60°F (15°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Simons. Saint Simons usually gets more rain in July than Denali National Park. Saint Simons gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Simons and Denali National Park. Many travelers come to Saint Simons for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Denali National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Denali National Park can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Saint Simons is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 70°F (21°C), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
In October, Saint Simons usually receives less rain than Denali National Park. Saint Simons gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Simons as well as Denali National Park. Many visitors come to Saint Simons in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Denali National Park for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Denali National Park can be very cold during winter. Saint Simons is much warmer than Denali National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Denali National Park fluctuates around 11°F (-12°C).
Saint Simons usually gets more rain in January than Denali National Park. Saint Simons gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Denali National Park and Saint Simons are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Denali National Park because of the natural beauty.
The weather in Denali National Park can be very cold. In the spring, Saint Simons is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Simons in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 34°F (1°C).
In April, Saint Simons usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. Saint Simons gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Saint Simons | Denali National Park | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 11°F (-12°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
Feb | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.4 inches (37 mm) |
Mar | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 34°F (1°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
May | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (108 mm) |
Oct | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
Nov | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
Dec | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 13°F (-11°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |