Which place is cheaper, Fairbanks or Big Pine Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Big Pine Key or Fairbanks?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Big Pine Key and Fairbanks. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Big Pine Key or Fairbanks?
Big Pine Key
If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is the only 'city' in the interior region of Alaska, and the largest settlement for hundreds of miles, but it has many characteristics of a small town where everyone seems to know everyone. Because the city sits at the nexus of some truly epic routes - north to the Arctic, east to Canada and south to Denali - you'll almost inevitably end up spending time here, and that time is rarely boring. The residential streets of compact downtown are pretty as a picture, and during winter, this is ground zero for viewing the aurora borealis.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.
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Big Pine Key Prices
USA PricesFairbanks Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $174Fairbanks $318
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $174, while the average daily cost in Fairbanks is $318. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Big Pine Key and Fairbanks in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Fairbanks $154
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Fairbanks $308
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Fairbanks
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Fairbanks? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Fairbanks Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Fairbanks $66
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fairbanks
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Fairbanks:
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Full Tank of Gas$90
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Fairbanks?
Prices for flights to both Fairbanks and Big Pine Key change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBig Pine Key $72Fairbanks $109
Typical Food Prices in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two at Pike's Landing$63
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Totem Inn Breakfast for Two$46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Aurora Viewing and Dinner : $120
- Late Night Yurt Dinner and Northern Lights: $210
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $239
- Electric Moose Studios Aurora Adventure W/Portraits & Hot Pizza!!: $270
- Northern Lights Adventure with Photos & HOT PIZZA: $300
- Moonlight Dog Sled, Dinner & Northern Lights: $320
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Fairbanks $65
Typical Entertainment Prices in Fairbanks
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Fairbanks's activities, tours, and tickets:
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The Riverboat Discovery Trip$55
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1 Day Mountain Bike Rental$27
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Canoe Rental with Pickup$56
Tours and Activities in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Shared Tour Arctic Circle and Aurora Viewing in Alaska: $150
- 1 Hour Fall Sled Dog Experience in Two Rivers: $130
- 1 Hour Snowmobile Adventure in Boreal Forest: $159
- 1-hr. Dog Sledding Tour in Fairbanks (without transportation): $170
- 1.5-Hour Beer and Puppies Guided Experience in Fairbanks: $58
- 2-Hour Guided Snowmobile Tour in Fairbanks: $295
- 3 Hour Ice Fishing Experience: $145
- 3-Hour Small Group 9-Hole Self-Guided Fairbanks Golf Experience: $114
- 45 Minute Private Reindeer Tour: $90
- Alaska: Private Northern Lights Viewing Tour: $495
- Alaskan Heritage and Sightseeing Tour in Fairbanks: $165
- Arctic Circle Adventure: Journey on the Dalton Highway: $275
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Fairbanks $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Fairbanks, we can see that Fairbanks is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Fairbanks would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fairbanks than you might in Big Pine Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Fairbanks Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Fairbanks?
Fairbanks has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Fairbanks, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Big Pine Key or Fairbanks?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Fairbanks in the Summer?
Both Fairbanks and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Fairbanks for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Pine Key in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Fairbanks averages at about 64°F (18°C).
In July, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Pine Key 84°F (29°C)Fairbanks 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Fairbanks in the Autumn?
Both Fairbanks and Big Pine Key during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Fairbanks in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Fairbanks can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 80°F (27°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 27°F (-3°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in October than Fairbanks. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Pine Key 80°F (27°C)Fairbanks 27°F (-3°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Fairbanks in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Fairbanks. Also, most visitors come to Fairbanks for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Fairbanks can be very cold during winter. Big Pine Key is much warmer than Fairbanks in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Fairbanks fluctuates around -9°F (-23°C).
In January, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Pine Key 70°F (21°C)Fairbanks -9°F (-23°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Fairbanks in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Fairbanks. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Fairbanks because of the natural beauty.
The weather in Fairbanks can be very cold. In the spring, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Pine Key in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Fairbanks averages at about 32°F (0°C).
Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in April than Fairbanks. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Pine Key 77°F (25°C)Fairbanks 32°F (0°C)
Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Big Pine Key
| Big Pine Key | Fairbanks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | -9°F (-23°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 4°F (-15°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | -5°F (-21°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) |
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.