Which place is cheaper, Denali National Park or Tampa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Tampa 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.
Tampa is a laid-back, easy-going, and low-key city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food and beaches.
Denali National Park is a rugged, spectacular, and epic park. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Tampa. Although Tampa and Denali National Park are both popular with visitors, Tampa has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Tampa is more popular for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Denali National Park is known for its museums, resorts, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Denali National Park is more touristy than Tampa and is known for its vast wilderness and iconic Alaskan wildlife. Tampa is popular for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. It is also home to Busch Gardens.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Denali National Park and Tampa. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Denali National Park is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.
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.
Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.
Tampa is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Denali National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Tampa has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.
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.
Tampa is adequate for nightlife and partying. However, Denali National Park is not known for its evening party scene.
Tampa doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.
People don't go to Denali National Park for the nightlife. Visitors come to the park to see the nature, not for the nightlife.
Denali National Park is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Tampa is not a resort destination.
Denali National Park has a few great resort options. 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.
Tampa is not a resort destination.
Tampa is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, Denali National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.
Denali National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Tampa is a great city for the beache. However, Denali National Park is not a beach destination.
Tampa is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.
Denali National Park is not a beach destination.
Denali National Park is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Tampa is not a hiking destination.
Denali National Park is a good destination for hiking. 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.
Tampa is not a hiking destination.
Denali National Park is a decent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
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.
Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Tampa is a great city 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, Tampa is very family-friendly. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.
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.
Denali National Park is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.
Denali National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures and stunning scenery will find the ultimate romance in this impressive park.
Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.
Denali National Park is an amazing park to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.
A large number of backpackers visit Denali National Park, as it is a very popular park for budget travelers. There are millions of acres in the park as well as campgrounds, hostels, and vast backcountry (which requires a permit).
Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.
Denali National Park is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.
Public transit is mostly 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 limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.
Tampa is adequate for its high level of walkability. However, Denali National Park is not known for its ease of walking around.
Tampa is generally not a very walkable city. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.
Denali National Park is not a walkable city. 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 Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Denali National Park Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Tampa or Denali National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Denali National Park due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Tampa, and 2-4 days is enough time in Denali National Park.
Families should spend more time in Tampa than Denali National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tampa, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Denali National Park than Tampa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Denali National Park that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Denali National Park than Tampa if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Denali National Park.
Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Tampa. 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 epic destination offers. This park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
Tampa 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Denali National Park. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Many people visit Tampa for five days. You'll find food around the city of Tampa. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
Denali National Park is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Denali National Park. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
The laid-back destination of Tampa offers food. 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.
You'll find around the rugged destination of Denali National Park. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Tampa is $179, 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 Tampa and Denali National Park in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Tampa 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 Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Denali National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Denali National Park and Tampa 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.
For Tampa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampa and Denali National Park, we can see that Denali National Park is more expensive. And not only is Tampa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tampa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tampa 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 Tampa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tampa Expensive? and Is Denali National Park Expensive?.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Denali National Park. The beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Denali National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Tampa is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 82°F (28°C), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).
Tampa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tampa usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Denali National Park. Many travelers come to Tampa for the city's sights and attractions. 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. Tampa is much warmer than Denali National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Denali National Park fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
Tampa usually gets less rain in October than Denali National Park. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Denali National Park and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tampa in the winter for 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. In the winter, Tampa is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tampa in January average around 60°F (15°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 11°F (-12°C).
In January, Tampa usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Denali National Park and Tampa during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tampa for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, 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 April, Tampa is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 71°F (22°C), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).
Tampa usually gets more rain in April than Denali National Park. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Tampa | Denali National Park | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 11°F (-12°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
Feb | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.4 inches (37 mm) |
Mar | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
Apr | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 34°F (1°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
May | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (108 mm) |
Oct | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
Nov | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 13°F (-11°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |