Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Williamsburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Williamsburg or Tucson?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Williamsburg and Tucson. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Williamsburg or Tucson?
Williamsburg
In southeast Virginia, Williamsburg is a historic city that was the capital of Virginia during the 1700's. It's now a popular tourist destination in the state because it has managed to recreate its past in a theme park like setting. Perhaps the most famous attraction in the city is "Colonial Williamsburg," an outdoor museum that recreates an 18th century town with working tradesmen and functioning jobs. You can purchase a one day pass to the area for $36 and multiple day passes at a slight discount. Exhibits in the area include observing a court proceeding, seeing the Governor's Palace, and witnessing the impact of the American Revolution on the area.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWilliamsburg $112Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Williamsburg is $112, while the average daily cost in Tucson is $157. 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 Williamsburg and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWilliamsburg $66Tucson $93
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWilliamsburg $132Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Williamsburg and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Williamsburg or Tucson? 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: Williamsburg Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Williamsburg $11Tucson $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Williamsburg or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Williamsburg 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 dayWilliamsburg $31Tucson $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Williamsburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Williamsburg.
- Taste of Williamsburg Food Tour by Junket: $79
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $84
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Williamsburg $34Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Williamsburg
Here are a few actual costs in Williamsburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Stories and Walking Tour: $25
- 1 Hour Christmastide Walking Tour in Virginia Past and Present : $25
- 2-Hour Private Guided The best of Williamsburg Walking Tour: $175
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg Admission Ticket: $62
- Colonial Ghosts Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- Colonial Ghosts Ultimate Dead of Night Haunted Ghost Tour: $35
- Colonial History Tour in Williamsburg Virginia: $25
- Colonial Williamsburg & Yorktown Self-Guided Audio Tour Bundle: $25
- Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
- Colonial Christmas Walking Tour: $20
- Colonial Colonial History Guided Walking Tour: $25
- Colonial Self-Guided Walking Tour: $15
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayWilliamsburg -Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Williamsburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Williamsburg:
- Colonial Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $35
- The Murder Tour and Pub Crawl: $48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Williamsburg and Tucson, we can see that Tucson is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg 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 Tucson would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tucson than you might in Williamsburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Williamsburg Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Williamsburg or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Williamsburg and Tucson, 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.