Should you visit Sedona or Reno?
Should I visit Sedona or Reno? 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.
Sedona
Sedona, Arizona is a desert town near Flagstaff. Sedona has many canyons and pine forests, but the most stunningly, beautiful landscape here is the many red rock limestone formations that can be found almost everywhere. The stone formations always have a deep red color, and this color only intensifies in the light of the sun. Sedona has been named one of the most beautiful places in America because of its mesmerizing scenery that changes hourly with the shifting of light. Native Americans have always regarded Sedona as a place of healing and renewal, and that continues to be true as they still value this land as sacred. Sedona is surrounded by 1.8 million acres of national forest land, and no matter where you are in Sedona you are never far from breathtaking scenery.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Reno or Sedona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Sedona is $133, while the average daily cost in Reno is $113. 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 Sedona and Reno in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $148 in Sedona For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $86 in Reno For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
In Sedona travelers spend around $39 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.
The price of a meal in Reno can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $42 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $17 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Sedona $39
Reno $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sedona
For Sedona, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Grand Canyon Sunset Tour with Dinner:
$208
-
Small-Group Sedona Photography Workshop with Lunch or Dinner:
$267
Typical Food prices in Reno
For Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dennys for Breakfast
$22
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Sushi DInner (for 2)
$40
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In-n-Out Burger (for 3)
$19
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Sedona than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $31 on transportation in Sedona on average per day.
Reno'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 $18 per person, per day on transportation in Reno.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Reno
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Reno:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reno
Also for Reno, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$336
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Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Private Arrival Transfer:
$168
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Reno to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) - Departure Private Transfer:
$168
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Reno/Tahoe International Airport One Way Transfer:
$48
Is it cheaper to fly into Sedona or Reno?
Prices for flights to both Reno and Sedona 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 expenses in Sedona, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $15 per day, per person.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Reno can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $70 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in Sedona
For Sedona, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Sedona
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sedona.
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15-Minute Helicopter Tour of Sedona:
$125
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2 Hour Guided Motorcycle Tour To Sedona:
$1,200
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2-Day Grand Canyon Tour from Sedona:
$542
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2-Hour Sedona Guided Tour:
$55
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2.5-Hour Sedona Sightseeing Tour with Sedona Hotel Pickup:
$52
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25-Minute Helicopter Tour of Sedona:
$206
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3-Hour Ancient Ruins Tour from Sedona:
$115
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Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Private Luxury Car Tour:
$528
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Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Small-Group Tour from Sedona or Flagstaff:
$224
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Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour from Sedona:
$235
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Antelope Slot Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour from Sedona:
$236
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Awaken to You: Journey and Sedona Vortex Tour 6 to 8 hr:
$778
Tours and Activities in Reno
For Reno, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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ATV & Snow Mobile Winter Adventures from Reno:
$290
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ATV - Tours & Trap Shooting Combo Packages from Reno:
$394
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Biking Adventure Tour from Reno:
$102
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Culinary & Cultural Reno Tour:
$91
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Hot Air Balloon & Snowmobile Adventure:
$616
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Reno Scavenger Hunt: Reno Adventure:
$12
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Truckee River Rafting Tour from Reno:
$132
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Winter Horseback Riding Adventure from Reno:
$206
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 Sedona, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $10.
Typically, people visiting Reno spend on average $10 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Sedona
Also in Sedona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Bliss Wine Tours - The Most Luxurious Vineyard Tour in Sedona:
$94
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Wine Tour from Sedona to the Verde Valley Vineyards in Luxury Transportation:
$99
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Sedona and Wine Tasting Small Group Tour:
$175
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Private Luxury Wine Tour from Sedona to the Famous Verde Valley Vineyards:
$199
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Private, Customized Verde Valley Wine Trail or Microbrewery Tour for 2 Adults:
$380
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Personalized, Private Wine Tour for 2 Adults from Sedona:
$380
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Private Wine Tour Sedona to Verde Valley Wineries Party of 2:
$1,050
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Private Wine Tour from Sedona to Verde Valley Wineries:
$1,647
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sedona and Reno, we can see that Sedona is more expensive. And not only is Reno much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Reno would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Reno 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 Sedona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sedona than you might in Reno.
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