A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Santa Fe vs. Reno for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santa Fe or Reno?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Santa Fe and Reno can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Santa Fe or Reno?

Santa Fe

Santa Fe is the state capital of New Mexico as well as the oldest state capital in the United States, founded in 1607. It has become a popular travel destination due to the surrounding scenic beauty, its long history, cultural diversity especially with its proximity to American Indian pueblos and culture, and a rich concentration of arts, music, and food.

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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Reno or Santa Fe?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Fe is $159, 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 Santa Fe and Reno in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santa Fe $81
    Reno $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santa Fe $162
    Reno $110
Compare Hotels in Santa Fe and Reno

Looking for a hotel in Santa Fe 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.

Hotels in Santa Fe


Hotels in Reno


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: Santa Fe Hotel Prices and Reno Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santa Fe $61
    Reno $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Fe

Also for Santa Fe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Santa Fe Airport SAF: $125
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Santa Fe Airport (SAF): $62

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Reno

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Reno:


  • 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: $220
  • Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Mammoth Mountain: Arrival Transfer: $187
  • Reno Tahoe Airport to Northstar/Squaw Valley - Arrival Transfer: $165
  • Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $134
  • Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Heavenly Mountain - Arrival Transfer: $110
  • Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Private Arrival Transfer : $67
  • Reno to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) - Departure Private Transfer: $67

Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Fe or Reno?

Prices for flights to both Reno and Santa Fe 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Santa Fe $43
    Reno $54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Fe

For Santa Fe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Wander NM Food Tour - Tuesday Farmers' Market: $149
  • New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza: $184
  • Wander New Mexico Food Tour - Railyard Arts District: $189
  • Wander New Mexico Food Tour - Downtown Plaza 'Sip & Savor': $209
  • Downtown Plaza "Sip and Savor" Half-day Food Tour: $209
  • Savor Wine Pairing Dinner: $228

Typical Food Prices in Reno

For Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dennys for Breakfast
    $22
  • Sushi DInner (for 2)
    $40
  • In-n-Out Burger (for 3)
    $19

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santa Fe $17
    Reno $88

Tours and Activities in Santa Fe

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Fe.

  • 2 Hours Historic E Bike Tour of Santa Fe: $169
  • Adventurers Ready To Jump Into the Void Santa Fe Style Wanted: $39
  • 2 Hour Pottery Experience (Wheel or Hand-Building): $160
  • 2-Hour Photography Class While Touring Downtown Santa Fe, Smart Phones Welcome!: $85
  • A Walking Tour of Santa Fe's Most Beautiful and Historic Sites: $216
  • Canyon Road Arts District Tour: $70
  • Enchanted Eats of Santa Fe Half-Day Tour: $960
  • Explore Santa Fe's Old Town & the Museum of Art: Private Tour: $195
  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience Santa Fe, NM: $15
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe Walking Tour in Santa Fe: $70
  • Private Canyon Road Arts District Tour: $138
  • Railyard Sip, Savor, & History Walking Tour in Santa Fe: $105

Tours and Activities in Reno

For Reno, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • (18+) Private 30-Minute Axe Throwing Experience Ticket: $40
  • 45 Minutes Twinkle Tours in Reno: $130
  • Biking Adventure Tour from Reno: $102
  • 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: $189
  • Horseback Riding Adventure from Reno: $279
  • Lake Tahoe Audio Driving Tour: $14
  • Lake Tahoe: Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santa Fe $9.68
    Reno $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Fe

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Fe:

  • Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery Tour and Tasting: $18

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


When comparing the travel costs between Santa Fe and Reno, we can see that Santa Fe 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.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santa Fe Expensive? and Is Reno Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santa Fe or Reno?

Reno has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Santa Fe. When comparing the sizes of Santa Fe 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.