Is Boulder Expensive?

Is Boulder expensive to visit?

Boulder is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $191. If we compare it to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It ranks in the top 50% of cities in North America for its travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Charlotte and Destin.



Boulder, Colorado

How expensive is Boulder?

For a trip to Boulder, travelers spend on average $191 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Boulder here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Boulder?

On average, a weekend trip to Boulder costs about $574 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,148.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Boulder?

A one week trip to Boulder costs about $1,339 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $2,679.

Is it expensive to backpack in Boulder?

Boulder attracts a few backpackers, but traveling on a budget can be challenging because there are only a small number of hostels found here. The average cost of a dorm bed in a hostel in Boulder is $62 per night. The cheapest beds cost about $62 and the most expensive are more than $62 per night. (See hostel prices in Boulder here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Boulder.

  • $62 for a dorm bed at Boulder Adventure Lodge

Are hotels expensive in Boulder?

If you're considering hotel prices in Boulder, you'll find them to be fairly even and moderate in price compared to hotels in other cities. On average, a night in a hotel room here will set you back approximately $220. In Boulder, there are about [5_STAR_COUNT] five-star hotels with an average nightly rate of [5_STAR_PRICE]. For a more affordable option, three-star hotels come in at an average of $200 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical choice at $163 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Boulder
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
4 stars 2 $394
3 stars 16 $200
2 stars 3 $163

2115 13Th Street, Boulder
Overall Rating 9.1
3030 Center Green Drive, Boulder
Overall Rating 8.9

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Boulder?

In Boulder, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $33 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $55.

    • Best Family Small-Group E-Bike Guided Tour in Boulder, Colorado: $100
    • Downtown Boulder Mural Walking Tour: $30
    • Boulder Backroads: E-Bike Dirt Road Tour: $250
    • Boulder Flatirons Private Photo Adventure: $85
    • "Boulder Peaks & Wilderness Tours: Mallory Cave Trail": $65
    • Highlights of Boulder, Colorado Walking Tour: $245
    • Best of Boulder E-Bike Tour: $104
    • Rocky Mountain National Park Guided Tours from Grand Lake: $130

    Is food expensive in Boulder?

    In Boulder, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $54 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $58.

    Is transportation expensive in Boulder?

    The prices of local transportation in Boulder can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $51 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $46. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    More for Boulder

    If you're planning a trip to Boulder, Colorado, check out these other informative travel guides.



    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.



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