A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tucson vs. Sun Valley for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tucson or Sun Valley?

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 Sun Valley can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Tucson or Sun Valley?

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.

Sun Valley

Sun Valley is a beautiful resort city in the Wood River Valley area of Idaho, most famous for becoming a snowy wonderland every winter. The area was actually named the 2nd best ski resort by Ski Magazine and was a favorite place of escape for Ernest Hemingway. Whether you visit in winter or summer, you're always met with beautiful scenery that's perfect for exploring. The best time of year for winter activities is December-March, while June-August is best for hiking and exploring the area.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Sun Valley or Tucson?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $157, while the average daily cost in Sun Valley is $184. 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 Sun Valley in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tucson $93
    Sun Valley $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tucson $186
    Sun Valley $190
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Sun Valley

Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Sun Valley? 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 Tucson


Hotels in Sun Valley


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 Sun Valley Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tucson $27
    Sun Valley $61

Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Sun Valley?

Prices for flights to both Sun Valley 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 day
    Tucson $36
    Sun Valley $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tucson $16
    Sun Valley $42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tucson $16
    Sun Valley $49


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and Sun Valley, we can see that Sun Valley 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 Sun Valley would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sun Valley 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 Sun Valley Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tucson or Sun Valley?

Tucson has a larger population, and is about 350 times larger than the population of Sun Valley. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Sun Valley, 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.