Which place is cheaper, Aspen or Tucson?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tucson or Aspen?
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 Tucson and Aspen can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Aspen?
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona is the second largest city in the state and sits at an elevation of 2,400 feet. It's temperature is slightly milder than Phoenix and it is a pleasant place to visit. Most people arrive in the city by car, but Amtrak does travel through Tucson, as does Greyhound. The area is also served by the Tucson International Airport. Once in the city, you'll likely want to have access to a car, as the city is not very pedestrian friendly and public transportation is very much lacking. Many popular and beautiful sights are also outside of town in the surrounding desert, so having access to a vehicle is paramount if you hope to visit any of the places.
Aspen
Aspen is a famous, and notably expensive travel destination. The town is one of the country's most famous and recognizable ski destinations, and prices can climb high during the ski season. Although still expensive, you can often find better deals during the summer months or shoulder seasons. For visitors who want to enjoy the area's hiking, natural beauty, and charm, these are the times to visit.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $157Aspen $293
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $157, while the average daily cost in Aspen is $293. 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 Tucson and Aspen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Aspen $170
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Aspen $340
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Aspen
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Aspen? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Tucson Hotel Prices and Aspen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Aspen $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aspen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aspen:
- Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) - Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: $269
- Aspen hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $218
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Aspen?
Prices for flights to both Aspen and Tucson 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
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Food Meals for one dayTucson $36Aspen $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Aspen $45
Tours and Activities in Aspen
Here are a few actual costs in Aspen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Aspen Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Aspen's DarkSide Ghost Tour: $40
- Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Scenic Walking Tour: $40
- Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Tour: $40
- Aspen's Past to Present Historic Tour: $40
- City Highlights Walking Tour: $40
- Dark History Ghost-Themed Guided Walking Tour: $40
- From Past to Present History Walking Tour: $40
- Highlights of Aspen Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Aspen $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and Aspen, we can see that Aspen is more expensive. And not only is Tucson much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tucson would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tucson 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 Aspen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aspen than you might in Tucson.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tucson Expensive? and Is Aspen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Aspen?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Aspen. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Aspen, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.