How much does it cost to travel to Durango?
You should plan to spend around $153 per day on your vacation in Durango. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $50 on meals
- $27 on local transportation
- $157 on hotels
A one week trip to Durango for two people costs, on average, $2,146. 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 Durango 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 Durango expensive to visit?
Prices in Durango 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, Durango is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Joshua Tree National Park or Woodstock.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Durango Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Durango?
The average Durango trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Durango travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$157
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$27
|
|
Food 2
|
$50
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$46
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$15 -
45
|
Accommodation Budget in Durango
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Durango is $79. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Durango is $157. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Durango? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Durango
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Durango is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $27 per person, per day, on local transportation in Durango.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$27
How much does it cost to go to Durango? 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 Durango 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 Durango
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Durango can vary, the average cost of food in Durango is $50 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Durango should cost around $20 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Durango is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$50
Entertainment Budget in Durango
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Durango typically cost an average of $46 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.
$46
Typical prices for Entertainment in Durango are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Durango, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Hot Springs (for 2)
$50
-
Tubing (for 2)
$40
Alcohol Budget in Durango
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $30 on alcoholic beverages in Durango per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$30
Durango On a Budget
The Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad, Durango, Colorado
Located in the State of Colorado, in the Rocky Mountains, Durango is on the tourist maps because of its historic narrow gauge railroad that connects the city to the town of Silverton. Durango has a population of just over 16,000 and it is only a short distance from the "four corners" area where New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado all meet. The landscape surrounding Durango is quite impressive and includes the Animas River Valley, the San Juan Mountains, and some beautiful red sandstone bluffs.
Durango was founded in 1880 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. The tracks between Silverton and Durango were completed in 1882 and both freight and passenger trains traveled along the tracks. The route, along with the historic character of Durango make it a popular tourist attraction in Colorado.
Durango has a warm-summer humid continental climate. Highs can into the mid 80s Fahrenheit in the summer months and lows drop to around 15 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months. Precipitation is relatively consistent throughout the year but June is usually the driest month.
Sights
When you arrive in town you should swing by the Durango Area Tourism Office for any information and brochures they may have. They offer great advice on the best deals and itineraries while you're in the area so a brief stop off is well worth the time.
Most people come to Durango to see the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad. It follows one of the most beautiful railroad routes in the United States and you can buy round trip tickets that allow you time to visit the town of Silverton as well. You must have reservations in advance as the trains fill up early.
Other sights in the area include Vallecito Lake, which is one of the largest and most beautiful lacks in Colorado, the Durango Arts Center, which has exhibits from local artists as well as live performances, classes, and educational programs, and Fort Lewis College, which is a quaint campus with a good view of the area.
Neighborhoods
Historic Durango is enjoyable to walk around and the downtown area has plenty of boutique hotels and art galleries worth exploring. The entire area has a very western theme with an interesting character and atmosphere. If you're interested in shopping, the best place to go is probably Main Avenue which is lined with quaint shops where you can pick up some interesting souvenirs. Another option is to head over to Durango Mall where you will find most chain retail shops such as JC Penney, Pier 1, and Linens N Things.
Activities
The area around Durango offers all kinds of outdoor activities from river rafting, to hiking, mountain climbing or repelling. About 25 miles north of town is Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort. The resort has a ski area that is designed for families with a resort vibe and a welcoming atmosphere. Other nearby places to explore include San Juan Skyway and Mesa Verde National Park, which makes for a nice day trip.
Food and Dining
The restaurants in Durango are some of the best, and most utilize locally grown produce. You can try many regional specialties such as wild game, honey, fish and cheeses. Interesting options include Durango Diner, East By Southwest, the Olde Schoolhouse Cafe, the Olde Tymer's Cafes, and Steamworks. There are also a few authentic Mexican restaurants in the area that are worth trying out. Tequila's Mexican Restaurant is a favorite.
Transportation
The local airport is the Durango/La Plata Country Airport which is in the southeastern part of town along US-160 and SR-172. The airport offers commuter service from Dallas, Denver, and Phoenix. There ae several rental car agencies in town. There is also a local taxi service, local buses, and a downtown trolley. The town itself is quite small and is easy to walk around. If you hope to explore the surrounding areas, it is best to have access to a car. There is plenty of parking available in town.
The town is easily connected to most nearby places by highways. If you're arriving during the winter months from the east along US Highway 160, make sure that the road is open and safe near the Wolf Creek Pass. This area is prone to significant snowfall and closures are common.
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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.