Travel Budget for Michigan Visit Michigan on a Budget or Travel in Style

Michigan, United States of America
North America / United States of America / The Midwest / Michigan /
Detroit
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Michigan is a cultural 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 Michigan?

A typical traveler spends $144 per day on a trip to Michigan. This is the average daily price for a vacation in Michigan based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $59 on meals
  • $30 on local transportation
  • $126 on hotels

A one-week trip to Michigan for two people costs, on average, $2,016. 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.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $144
  • One Week Per person
    $1,008
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $2,016
  • One Month Per person
    $4,320
  • One Week For a couple
    $2,016
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $4,032
  • One Month For a couple
    $8,640
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Michigan cost?

A one week trip to Michigan usually costs around $1,008 for one person and $2,016 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Michigan on average costs around $2,016 for one person and $4,032 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 Michigan will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Michigan on average costs around $4,320 for one person and $8,640 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Is Michigan expensive to visit?

In Michigan, budget travelers spend $60 per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $144 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $318 per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Michigan.

Michigan is a small yet captivating destination that lures visitors with differing travel styles, spending levels, and budgetary preferences. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.

While Michigan can be quite expensive if you let it be, there are ways to lower your spending, such as looking for discounts and coupons.

Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Michigan is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Hope, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Key West.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Michigan Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Michigan?

The average Michigan trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Michigan travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Michigan cost?

Michigan on a Budget
Category Budget Mid-Range Luxury
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy 		$26 $63 $136
Local Transportation1 $12 $30 $69
Food2 $24 $59 $133
Entertainment1 $7.57 $18 $40
Alcohol2 $4-13 $10-29 $19-57

Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget

Having realistic expectations about your travel budget in Michigan is important. While you might think you can save money by cutting expenses, traveling comfortably requires a bit more spending for most people. Think about your favorite vacation activities and ideal travel style. Staying in a resort or comfortable hotel, along with sightseeing and dining out are generally what many people prefer. Your travel preferences will determine how much you'll end up spending on your trip.

Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?

You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $60 daily average that backpackers get away with.

Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.

Is Your Travel Style Average?

If you're a couple or a family traveling for fun, you'll likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular restaurants, and visit the major museums and attractions which have entry fees. It's a common desire for visitors to Michigan to experience the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Most activities cost money, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be closer to $144 per person, per day.

Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?

If you're used to premier amenities and elevated service, prepare to spend about $318 per day. Choosing comfortable hotels, dining at award-winning establishments, indulging in extravagant excursions, and relying on taxis or private drivers to explore the destination will demand a higher price range.



Accommodation Budget in Michigan

The price of hotels in Michigan can be quite surprising. Higher-end hotels offer more luxury and amenities, but with much higher price tags, especially during peak season. Off-season averages are around $, while peak season averages can reach $. Prices range from $ to $, but hostels are usually cheaper. Traveling during the low season and booking early are good ways to save money.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid in Michigan for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $126. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $63 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.

  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $63
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $126

Hotels in Michigan

Looking for a hotel in Michigan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Michigan

Choosing to travel in the shoulder or low season and avoiding will help you save on lodging costs and escape the tourist rush.



Transportation Budget in Michigan

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, past travelers have spent $30 per person, per day, on local transportation in Michigan. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Michigan is significantly more than public transportation.

  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $30

A few major airports on the Lower Peninsula include Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Bishop International Airport, and Gerald R. Ford International Airport, which are each serviced by major airlines. For the Upper Peninsula, the biggest airports include Sawyer International Airport and Houghton County Memorial Airport.

Amtrak passenger rail services the state, connecting many southern and western Michigan cities to Chicago, Illinois.

By car, Interstate 75 is the main highway between Detroit, Flint, and Saginaw extending north to Sault Sainte Marie and providing access to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. I-69 enters the state near the Michigan–Ohio–Indiana border, I-94 enters the western end of the state at the Indiana border, I-96 runs east–west between Detroit and Muskegon, and US 2 enters Michigan at the city of Ironwood.

Transportation Tips

If you're using a car, make sure your hotel has convenient parking available.



Flights to Michigan
How much does it cost to go to Michigan? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Michigan
The price of renting a car in Michigan 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 Michigan

Cuisine is one of the main reasons people travel, so don't miss out on the local fare.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While restaurant and meal prices in Michigan can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Michigan is $59 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.

  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $59

When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Michigan is around $59 ($59) per person, with previous travelers spending from $24 to $133. 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 Michigan are as follows:

  • Breakfast: $6 to $18
  • Lunch: $9 to $24
  • Dinner: $18 to $41
  • Coffee: $5
  • Fast Food or Street Food: $9

While the metropolitan areas have just about any food you could want, a traditional Michigan recipe is that of the meat pasty. With Cornish and Finnish roots, these popular D-shaped beef and veggie meat pies began as miners' fuel. It is a particular tourist attraction of the Upper Peninsula where ethnic groups adopted the pasty for use in the Copper Country copper mines. If the food of miners doesn't appeal, Michigan is like any American state with many burger joints and restaurants dotted throughout the UP, and a cluster of chains, fine dining, and ethnic restaurants, available in any of the cities. Some of the top rated in Detroit include Pizza Papalis, Michael Symon's Roast, Slows Bar BQ, Giovanni's, and Lafayette Coney Island.

Food & Dining Tips

Some hotels include breakfast in the overall cost, while others add it as an extra charge. The quality and price of breakfast can vary greatly depending on the hotel. Being informed beforehand can help you determine if you need to set aside additional funds. The hotel's buffet may be worth it, or you might consider visiting a local bakery or cafe for a more budget-friendly option.

Pack a water bottle to avoid buying drinks on the go. Plus, it's beneficial for the planet.

If you're going to take a tour, make sure you understand which meals are included. You could end up paying for some food yourself, which might affect your budget.



Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Michigan

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Michigan typically cost an average of $18 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.
    $18

The Lower and Upper Peninsulas of Michigan are two different worlds-one a hub of business and industry the other a gem of nature.

As far as city sights go, Lansing, Detroit, and Ann Arbor are a few of the Lower Peninsula centers. Lansing is home to the State Capitol as well as the Michigan Historical Museum, both offering insight from the industrial history of the state to the history of the first people. Detroit is the largest city and has a wide range of sights from arts and historical museums to places like the Henry Ford Estate and museum, historic Fort Wayne, as well as the Detroit Public Library. Ann Arbor lay home to the University of Michigan in addition to museums in archaeology, art, natural history, and an arboretum. The cities of Michigan have museums and historic locations to occupy extensive sight-seeing.

Yet, some of the most breathtaking sights of the state lay in the natural wonders. Some of the more popular locations include Isle Royale National Park, Pictured Rocks National Seashore, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Each holds opportunities to catch sight of native wildlife like wolves, foxes, moose, otters, ospreys, herring gulls, and falcons, as well as the beauty of natural occurrences like rushing waterfalls, vast lakes, dunes, cliffs, beaches and rocky shoreline.

Mackinac Island is a sight of its own, existing in a place lost to time with no cars or buses. Visitors can take a ferry to the island and spend the day wandering through the shops of the old town, touring the island on a horse-drawn carriage, hiking, or visiting the historic Fort Mackinac.



Of course, a visit to any of Michigan's cities will have more than enough activities to occupy an extended visit. From museums, galleries, and historic landmarks, to dining, music, and theater, the list of things to do and places to see goes on. Even the state parks have much to offer in natural phenomena, wildlife, hiking, camping, skiing, boating, and fishing. Being surrounded by lakes, some of the biggest lakes in the world, Michigan is a center of boating and fishing. With 64,980 inland lakes and ponds in addition to the Great Lakes, it is in fact one of the leading U.S. states for recreational boating. A visit to Michigan, depending on how you plan it, can give you a little taste of two worlds-the bustling sight of the cities, as well as the peaceful calm of nature. Don't forget to see some of the state's historic lighthouses as well, dotted along Michigan's 3,288 miles of shoreline!



Nightlife Budget in Michigan

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $20 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Michigan per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $20
Nightlife Tips

Nights out are fun, but limiting your alcohol consumption can help keep your travel costs in check.



Travel cost data last updated: Aug 14, 2025

Budgeting and Travel Tips for Michigan

  • Opting for a slower travel pace can help you keep your budget in check while enjoying the scenic beauty. If you overbook your days with activities, you'll find yourself spending more. But taking your time often results in lower costs and a more fulfilling experience.

Budgeting Challenges

  • Public transportation is quite scarce in Michigan. It may be beneficial to rent a car or arrange a form of transport in advance, like a tour. Keep in mind that this could impact your budget in other ways.
  • Michigan doesn't really have a thriving hostel scene, so if you're counting on staying in a low-cost dorm, you may want to change your plans. Instead, check out budget hotels or apartment rentals.
Traveling in Michigan
Michigan Michigan

Surrounded by four of the five great lakes, the U.S. state of Michigan consists of two peninsulas, the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula. The Lower Peninsula is the portion shaped like a mitten and is a center of manufacturing and high-tech industry. It is also home to the country's three major automobile companies-General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler-whose headquarters are in the Detroit metropolitan area. The Upper Peninsula is separated from the Lower by the Straits of Mackinac, a five-mile channel that joins Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. In contrast, the Upper Peninsula is sparsely populated and is economically important for its status as a tourist destination and its abundance of natural resources.

So whether you're a city person or a country person, Michigan has a mix of both. Its economy is diverse, split between tourism and industry, which offers a wide range of attractions for visitors. The Lower Peninsula holds all the comforts and entertainment of a metropolitan area, while the Upper Peninsula exhibits all the wonders and beauty of the rugged outdoors.



Regions

Detroit is the largest city of Michigan. Nicknamed "Motor City," it is the world's automotive center, but it is also a center of history and culture. In addition to the plethora of museums, it is home to the neoclassical Detroit Institute of Arts, and is also the birthplace of Motown Records, whose chart-topping history is on display at Hitsville U.S.A. (Detroit's Motown museum). Like any city, Detroit is also a hub of shopping, dining, theaters, and entertainment. A cultural center of Michigan, Detroit attracts millions of visitors each year.

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.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.


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.
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