How much does it cost to travel to Boulder?
You should plan to spend around $191 per day on your vacation in Boulder. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $54 on meals
- $51 on local transportation
- $204 on hotels
A one week trip to Boulder for two people costs, on average, $2,674. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Boulder has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Boulder expensive to visit?
Prices in Boulder are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Boulder is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Charlotte or Mexico City.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Boulder Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Boulder?
The average Boulder trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Boulder travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$204
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$51
|
|
Food 2
|
$54
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$33
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$14 -
41
|
Accommodation Budget in Boulder
Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in
/homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/coststemplategenerator.php on line
1455
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Boulder is $102. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Boulder is $204. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Boulder? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Boulder include:
- Hotel Boulderado starting at $209
- Residence Inn Boulder starting at $222
- Hampton Inn & Suites Boulder North starting at $175
Transportation Budget in Boulder
Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in
/homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/coststemplategenerator.php on line
1455
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Boulder is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $51 per person, per day, on local transportation in Boulder.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$51
How much does it cost to go to Boulder? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Boulder will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Boulder
Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in
/homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/coststemplategenerator.php on line
1455
Calculated from travelers like you
Typical prices for Food in Boulder are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Boulder, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
2 Coffees
$8.75
-
Nice Dinner for Two
$71
Entertainment Budget in Boulder
Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in
/homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/coststemplategenerator.php on line
1455
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Boulder typically cost an average of $33 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$33
A nice way to explore destinations in Boulder is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Best Family Small-Group E-Bike Guided Tour in Boulder, Colorado for $100 details
- Boulder Flatirons Private Photo Adventure for $85 details
- "Boulder Peaks & Wilderness Tours: Mallory Cave Trail" for $65 details
Alcohol Budget in Boulder
Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in
/homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/coststemplategenerator.php on line
1455
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $27 on alcoholic beverages in Boulder per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$27
Nightlife activities and tasting tours are popular in Boulder. A few favorites from other travelers include:
- Boulder Haunted Pub Tour for $34 details
Boulder on a Budget
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is located on the edge of the Rocky Mountains in the state of Colorado. As home to the University of Colorado at Boulder, it's a college town with a liberal vibe and progressive values. In recent years, Boulder's economy has received a boost from the tech industry, which has grown rapidly in the area.
Boulder is also a great city to visit. It's surrounded by a beautiful mountain setting and there are countless outdoor sporting activities that you can enjoy. One unique aspect of Boulder is its role as home to many serious athletes who come here to train in the area's top facilities and programs.
Boulder's climate is similar to most of Colorado. It's a dry city with plenty of sunshine. Winters can vary dramatically from mild to incredibly cold and snowfall averages 44 inches a season. Summers are warm and dry with temperatures climbing above 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the warmest months.
Sights
Much of a visit to Boulder is about the nearby natural beauty. There is also a wonderful atmosphere around town so exploring neighborhoods without a specific destination in mind is recommended. Make sure you head to the Pearl Street Mall to see the street performers. They're out when the weather is nice. There are magicians, mimes, and musicians but perhaps the most unique and famous performer is the "zip-code man" He can tell you the zip code for anywhere in the entire world. This bizarre skill draws quite a crowd.
There are also a handful of sights around the University of Colorado at Boulder. The campus covers 600 acres and there are many beautiful gardens and interesting buildings on the grounds. The Heritage Center is found in the Old Main building and goes through a history of the university. There are also museums and art galleries around campus.
Neighborhoods
As a tourist, you're likely to spend most of your time in the Downtown area and Pearl Street Mall. Downtown Boulder has many restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Pearl Street Mall is a four block pedestrian-only area that is located downtown. It's lined with boutique shops and quaint restaurants which are housed in historic buildings, giving the area a nice atmosphere. You'll also find many street performers putting on shows in the area.
Another popular area in town is the University area, where you'll find no shortage of bars, restaurants, and activities. These facilities typically cater to a young crowd but it can be a great place to hang out and grab a cheap drink.
Activities
Boulder is a haven for outdoor sports. There are many places to go hiking with some of the most interesting being Boulder Creek Path, Chautauqua Park, Flagstaff Mountain, South Boulder Creek Trail, Eldorado Canyon State Park, and Boulder Ale Trail. There is also whitewater rafting, tubing, biking, and skiing in the area.
For live performances you can head to Fox Theater or Macky Auditorium. If you happen to be in town at the time, Boulder Open Studios Tour is held the first two weekends in October and you can visit the studios of many different local artists.
Food and Dining
Restaurants in Boulder and usually of high quality. The best restaurants can get quite crowded so reservations are recommended. There's a diversity of options for all budgets and styles. Mexican food is common and usually affordable and excellent. Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese are all available, along with many other international flavors. There are also some great steak houses in the area. For lunch there are delis, cafes, and casual dining options. For budget options look for restaurants near the university.
Transportation
If you're hoping to fly into the area, your best option is to arrive at Denver International Airport and then drive or take a bus on to Boulder. There are hourly buses that run between the two cities, and as Boulder is only a twenty minute drive from Denver, this is a great option.
Once in Boulder, you can travel around using the RTD bus system, which is well integrated with Denver's mass transit system. Alternatively, biking is an excellent option and you will find many locals commuting around town on bikes. Driving is always an option but the city can be frustrating to navigate with many one way streets, heavy congestion, and difficult parking. Unless you're traveling outside of town, public transit within the city and biking are really your best options.
Related:
Looking for a
party hostel in Hawaii or
Miami? Traveling alone to
LA or
New Orleans? Want a budget hostel in
NYC?
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.