Which place is cheaper, Fairbanks or Tucson?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Tucson or Fairbanks?
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 Fairbanks can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Fairbanks?
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.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is the only 'city' in the interior region of Alaska, and the largest settlement for hundreds of miles, but it has many characteristics of a small town where everyone seems to know everyone. Because the city sits at the nexus of some truly epic routes - north to the Arctic, east to Canada and south to Denali - you'll almost inevitably end up spending time here, and that time is rarely boring. The residential streets of compact downtown are pretty as a picture, and during winter, this is ground zero for viewing the aurora borealis.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $157Fairbanks $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $157, while the average daily cost in Fairbanks is $272. 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 Fairbanks in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Fairbanks $154
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Fairbanks $308
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Fairbanks
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Fairbanks? 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 Fairbanks Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Fairbanks $66
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fairbanks
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Fairbanks:
-
Full Tank of Gas$90
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Fairbanks?
Prices for flights to both Fairbanks 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
-
Food Meals for one dayTucson $36Fairbanks $63
Typical Food Prices in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch for Two at Pike's Landing$63
-
Totem Inn Breakfast for Two$46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $210
- Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $300
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Fairbanks $65
Typical Entertainment Prices in Fairbanks
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Fairbanks's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
The Riverboat Discovery Trip$55
-
1 Day Mountain Bike Rental$27
-
Canoe Rental with Pickup$56
Tours and Activities in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Hour Snowmobile Tour in Fairbanks Alaska: $215
- 1-hr. Dog Sledding Tour in Fairbanks (without transportation): $135
- 3 Hour Ice Fishing Experience: $135
- 3-Hour Small Group 9-Hole Self-Guided Fairbanks Golf Experience: $110
- Alaskan Heritage and Sightseeing Tour in Fairbanks: $140
- Angel Rocks Hike and Chena Hot-Springs Soak Guided Tour: $195
- Arctic Circle and Northern Lights Tour from Fairbanks: $290
- Aurora Borealis Viewing and Ice Fishing Adventure: $229
- Aurora Borealis tour with Free Photography: $180
- Aurora Chaser Tour: $125
- Budget Aurora Borealis tour, Fairbanks, Alaska : $125
- Chasing Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Tour with PHOTOGRAPHY: $199
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Fairbanks $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and Fairbanks, we can see that Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Fairbanks?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Fairbanks. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Fairbanks, 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.