Idaho is an exciting destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to Idaho?
You should plan to spend around $193 per day on your vacation in Idaho. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $74 on meals
- $45 on local transportation
- $167 on hotels
A one week trip to Idaho for two people costs, on average, $2,702. 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.
-
One Week
Per person
$1,351
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$2,702
-
One Month
Per person
$5,790
-
One Week
For a couple
$2,702
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$5,404
-
One Month
For a couple
$11,580
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Idaho cost?
A one week trip to Idaho usually costs around $1,351 for one person and $2,702 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Idaho on average costs around $2,702 for one person and $5,404 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Idaho will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Idaho on average costs around $5,790 for one person and $11,580 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Idaho expensive to visit?
Idaho is a smaller destination that draws visitors with a range of travel styles, spending habits, and budget preferences. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
You may find Idaho to be expensive in some places, but there are ways to keep your budget in check, like looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $84 per day, mid-range travelers spend $193 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $397 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Idaho.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Idaho is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to many other destinations.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Idaho Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Idaho?
The average Idaho trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Idaho travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Idaho cost?
Idaho on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$36
|
$84
|
$169
|
|
Local Transportation1
|
$19
|
$45
|
$101
|
|
Food2
|
$31
|
$74
|
$154
|
|
Entertainment1
|
$15
|
$35
|
$69
|
|
Alcohol2
|
$8-25
|
$20-60
|
$44-131
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to be realistic about your travel budget when visiting Idaho. Although some travelers believe they can get by on a shoestring budget, most people aren't comfortable with that type of travel. Consider what you enjoy on vacation and how you've traveled in the past. Do you like staying in resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, or hostels? Are dining out and visiting attractions a priority? Your preferences will affect your overall budget and itinerary.
Idaho on a Shoestring Budget?
Although you may consider yourself a budget traveler, unless you're ready to cut out many creature comforts, you'll likely spend much more than the $84 per day that young budget travelers often get by on.
For backpackers, this tight budget typically involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest eateries or fast food joints, using public transportation, and sticking to free attractions.
Do You Fit the Profile of an Average Traveler?
Couples and families traveling for leisure often prefer mid-range hotels, dine at popular eateries, and visit key museums and attractions that require an entry fee. Most visitors to Idaho will want to visit the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. It's important to remember that most activities will cost you money. Consequently, you should anticipate your daily budget to be closer to $193 per person, per day.
What Luxury Travel Looks Like
If you want a vacation with premium amenities and superior service, brace yourself for a price near $397 daily. Choosing upscale hotels, dining at award-winning eateries, enjoying lavish excursions, and using taxis or private drivers around the destination will require a luxury budget.
Accommodation Budget in Idaho
The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Idaho can be very surprising. Some hotels have much higher price tags than others, and in turn offer higher levels of luxury and more amenities. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. The average price for a hotel room in Idaho in the off-season is $, but in the peak travel season it will average around $. In general, you can expect hotel prices in Idaho to range from $ to $. Hostels are typically much cheaper, especially if you stay in a dorm. Also, note that the average hotel price is not always what travelers will pay (see below). You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too, along with taking advantage of sale prices or special deals.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Idaho for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $167. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $84 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Idaho? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Visiting in the low or shoulder season, rather than , will allow you to find cheaper accommodation and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Idaho
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $45 per person, per day, on local transportation in Idaho. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Idaho is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$45
There are no international flights directly to or from Idaho. The nearest, serving the northern region of the state is Spokane International Airport in the state of Washington, about 20 miles (32 km) from the Idaho border.
Boise Airport is the largest in the state and serves southern Idaho. Flights to and from Boise are available from most major cities in the western United States, as well as Minneapolis and Chicago. Airlines serving Boise include Delta, Frontier, Horizon, Southwest, United, and US Airways.
Other airports include Idaho Falls Regional Airport in eastern Idaho (popular for tourists visiting Yellowstone) and Friedman Memorial Airport near Sun Valley in central Idaho.
If you're driving, make sure your hotel has convenient parking.
How much does it cost to go to Idaho? 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 Idaho 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 Idaho
For many, the local food is a significant part of the travel experience, so don't miss the chance to enjoy it.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Idaho can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Idaho is $74 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$74
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Idaho is around $74 ($74) per person, with previous travelers spending from $31 to $154. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Idaho are as follows:
- Breakfast: $7 to $22
- Lunch: $11 to $29
- Dinner: $22 to $52
- Coffee: $6
- Fast Food or Street Food: $11
Most of Idaho serves up your typical American cuisine. The college towns (like Moscow, Boise, Pocatello, Idaho Falls) and the vacation centers (like Coeur d'Alene, Sun Valley, and Sandpoint) will have just about everything, including organic and vegetarian foods, while the cuisine of the more rural areas will be limited to hometown meals of beef and chicken. Some Idaho specialties include things like Idaho Rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon, wild huckleberries, and of course the famous potatoes. A favorite of southern Idaho is also a condiment called "fry sauce" - a combination of ketchup and mayonnaise, while the north favors locally made "ranch sauce" with their fries. Northern Idaho and the college towns of the south are also big on coffee culture, with several roasting operations and local shops.
Numerous hotels provide breakfast as part of your stay, although others may charge you extra for it. The price and quality can vary from hotel to hotel. Being informed ahead of time can assist you in determining if you need to budget extra funds. The hotel buffet might be worth your money, or perhaps a cheaper option at a nearby bakery or cafe would suffice.
Keep a water bottle handy instead of buying drinks everywhere. It's also a great way to reduce waste.
Be sure to check which meals are part of your tour before you go. You might be responsible for some of your own food costs, which could stretch your budget further.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Idaho
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Idaho typically cost an average of $35 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.
$35
As a part of the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States, Idaho has a landscape that ranges from rugged mountain terrain to sweeping prairies. In the mountains, ski resort towns like Sun Valley make for great hubs to get out and ski, hike, and backpack. Craters of the Moon National Monument, a volcanic park with vast fields of dormant lava as well as massive lava tubes, offers another unique landscape to hike and explore. Even the famous Yellowstone National Park is not too far; mostly located over the border in the state of Wyoming, it is home to wildlife like elk and bison as well as the world's largest collection of geysers.
Other attractions of the state include the massive boulders of City of Rocks National Reserve, a 72-mile paved bike trail that spans the panhandle called the Trail of the Coeur D'Alenes, the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness which follows the Snake River through Hells Canyon, and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail following the famous expedition route which spans over three thousand miles from Wood River, Illinois, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon.
Idaho is prime location for outdoor activities year-round. In the wintertime, popular activities for visitors and locals alike include things like skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling, while summer activities consist of boating, whitewater rafting, camping, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and hiking. Rodeos are also common in the more rural areas. There are plenty of trails worth exploring in all seasons as well as many spectacular scenic drives.
A nice way to explore destinations in Idaho 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:
- Los Angeles: 6-Day Southwest Guided Tour to Las Vegas for $1,536 details
Nightlife Budget in Idaho
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $40 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Idaho per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$40
The nightlife is always tempting, but cutting down on drinks is an effective way to manage your travel spending.
Travel cost data last updated: Mar 4, 2025
Traveling in Idaho
Idaho
Perhaps best known for its "Famous Potatoes," Idaho's true nickname is "The Gem State" and is full of a kind of wild beauty that comes with snow-capped mountains, raging rivers, placid lakes, and dense forests. Agriculture mostly lies in the eastern part of the state, while the wilderness of northern and central Idaho consists of some of the state's greatest natural treasures, dotted with a few cities and college towns.
Regions
Idaho is a state that is split - north from south - by time zone as well as its contrasting landscapes. The northern part is characterized by mountains, lakes, forests and rivers, while the southern part largely consists of high-plains desert and farmland with a striking mountain backdrop. North and Central Idaho are commonly referred to as the "Idaho Panhandle" and are considered to be part of the Pacific Northwest in the Pacific time zone, while Southern Idaho is a part of the Intermountain West in the Mountain time zone.
Boise is Idaho's capital and largest city, and is the heart for the arts, culture, and history of the region. It has a thriving downtown filled with shops and restaurants, and is also a great home base for the outdoor activities available in the surrounding areas. Other city hubs include Coeur d'Alene amidst the mountains and lakes of the north, Idaho Falls and Shelley near the agricultural center of eastern Idaho, Moscow home to the University of Idaho, Stanley known for its outdoor activities in the Sawtooth Mountains, the younger city of Twin Falls, Pocatello home to Idaho State University, and Sandpoint known for its skiing and water-sports destinations.
Related:
Looking for a party hostel in Las Vegas or San Diego? Traveling alone to NYC or LA? Want a budget hostel in San Francisco?
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.