A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Wisconsin Dells vs. Fairfield for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Wisconsin Dells or Fairfield?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Fairfield? 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.

Where Should I go: Wisconsin Dells or Fairfield?

Wisconsin Dells

Located in central Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells offers natural beauty, fun rivers, and some of the area's most famous theme parks. Wisconsin Dells is one of the two towns that make up "The Dells." The other town, Lake Delton, is another popular Midwestern tourist spot.

Wisconsin Dells is about an hour north of Madison and two hours from Milwaukee. It's famous for its striking rock formations and scenic bluffs. The town's name comes from the Dells of the Wisconsin River, which is an impressive gorge that was originally formed by a glacier.

Fairfield

The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or Wisconsin Dells?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Wisconsin Dells is $142, while the average daily cost in Fairfield is $131. 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 Wisconsin Dells and Fairfield in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Wisconsin Dells $70
    Fairfield $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Wisconsin Dells $140
    Fairfield $194
Compare Hotels in Wisconsin Dells and Fairfield

Looking for a hotel in Wisconsin Dells or Fairfield? 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 Wisconsin Dells


Hotels in Fairfield


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: Wisconsin Dells Hotel Prices and Fairfield Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Wisconsin Dells $35
    Fairfield -

Is it cheaper to fly into Wisconsin Dells or Fairfield?

Prices for flights to both Fairfield and Wisconsin Dells 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
    Wisconsin Dells $43
    Fairfield $30

Typical Food Prices in Fairfield

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:


  • El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)
    $17
  • Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)
    $44

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Wisconsin Dells $46
    Fairfield $13

Tours and Activities in Wisconsin Dells

Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • City and History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $24
  • Haunted History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Wisconsin Dells $9.14
    Fairfield -

Sample the Local Flavors in Fairfield

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fairfield:

  • Olive Oil, Cheese, and Wine Tasting with Local Expert: $133


When comparing the travel costs between Wisconsin Dells and Fairfield, we can see that Wisconsin Dells is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wisconsin Dells Expensive? and Is Fairfield Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Wisconsin Dells or Fairfield?

Fairfield has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Wisconsin Dells and Fairfield, 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.


When is the best time to visit Wisconsin Dells or Fairfield?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Fairfield in the Summer?

Both Fairfield and Wisconsin Dells during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Wisconsin Dells in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Wisconsin Dells is generally around the same temperature as Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Wisconsin Dells average around 74°F (24°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wisconsin Dells. In the summer, Wisconsin Dells often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Wisconsin Dells gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun.

Wisconsin Dells usually gets more rain in July than Fairfield. Wisconsin Dells gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Wisconsin Dells 74°F (24°C) 
    Fairfield 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Fairfield in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wisconsin Dells and Fairfield. Most visitors come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Wisconsin Dells is much colder than Fairfield in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wisconsin Dells averages around 52°F (11°C) in October, and Fairfield fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fairfield this time of the year. Wisconsin Dells usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during autumn. Wisconsin Dells gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Wisconsin Dells usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Wisconsin Dells gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Wisconsin Dells 52°F (11°C) 
    Fairfield 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Fairfield in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wisconsin Dells as well as Fairfield. The winter months attract visitors to Wisconsin Dells because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Wisconsin Dells can be very cold. In the winter, Wisconsin Dells is much colder than Fairfield. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wisconsin Dells in January average around 19°F (-7°C), and Fairfield averages at about 46°F (8°C).

In the winter, Wisconsin Dells often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Fairfield. Wisconsin Dells gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun.

Wisconsin Dells usually gets less rain in January than Fairfield. Wisconsin Dells gets 1 inches (25 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Wisconsin Dells 19°F (-7°C) 
    Fairfield 46°F (8°C)

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Fairfield in the Spring?

Both Fairfield and Wisconsin Dells are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Wisconsin Dells is generally cooler than Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Wisconsin Dells average around 49°F (10°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Fairfield. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wisconsin Dells. Wisconsin Dells usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during spring. Wisconsin Dells gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Wisconsin Dells usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Wisconsin Dells gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Wisconsin Dells 49°F (10°C) 
    Fairfield 56°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Fairfield and Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells Fairfield
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 19°F (-7°C) 1 inches (25 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Feb 24°F (-5°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 36°F (2°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 49°F (10°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
May 60°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 70°F (21°C) 3 inches (76 mm) 69°F (21°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 74°F (24°C) 3 inches (76 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 72°F (22°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm) 70°F (21°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 52°F (11°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Nov 39°F (4°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 25°F (-4°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm) 46°F (8°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)