Which city is cheaper, Sun Valley or Vail?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Vail vs. Sun Valley for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Vail or Sun Valley?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vail or Sun Valley? 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.
Vail
Vail is one of the premier ski resort areas in the United States. Located in central Colorado, Vail is not far from Denver and situated in the heart of the Rockies. Here you'll find a quaint mountain town designed around tourism, especially for the winter, although plenty of visitors come in the warmer months, too.
High-end hotels, condos, and other accommodation options are surrounded by shops and restaurants that are all somewhat expensive compared to other costs in the United States. Because of this, Vail is definitely not considered an "affordable" travel option for many. However, good deals can be found if you look around and do some research.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVail $233Sun Valley $147
The average daily cost (per person) in Vail is $233, while the average daily cost in Sun Valley is $147. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Vail and Sun Valley in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVail $139Sun Valley $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVail $278Sun Valley $152
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vail $16Sun Valley $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vail
Also for Vail, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer Service - Vail Hotels to Denver Int'l Airport: $600
- Private Departure Transfer to Vail Airport EGE: $128
- Private Eagle County Airport Transfer to Vail: $210
- Private Eagle County Regional Airport Transfer to Beaver Creek: $190
- Private Transfer: Vail to Denver International Airport (DEN): $576
- Shared Transfer from Vail or Beaver Creek to Denver Downtown: $99
- Transfer in private minivan from Vail city to Denver International Airport (DEN): $291
Is it cheaper to fly into Vail or Sun Valley?
Prices for flights to both Sun Valley and Vail 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 dayVail $60Sun Valley $38
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vail $106Sun Valley $33
Tours and Activities in Vail
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vail.
- Listen to a Tour Guide While you Drive between Vail & Denver: $3.75
- Vail Segway Tour from Vail Village: $89
- Dillon Marina & Shopping Tour: $267
- Glenwood Adventure Park Tour: $350
- Fall Leaves Tour from Vail: $373
- Glenwood Hot Springs Tour: $377
- Blackhawk-Central City Casino Tour from Vail: $377
- Aspen Independence Pass Day Tour: $545
- Historic Mining Town Tour: $693
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVail $7.83Sun Valley $39
Sample the Local Flavors in Vail
Also in Vail, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Vail Valley Brewery & Wine Tour: $377
- Palisade Wine Tour from Vail: $779
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vail and Sun Valley, we can see that Vail is more expensive. And not only is Sun Valley much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sun Valley would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sun Valley 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 Vail would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vail than you might in Sun Valley.
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