Which place is cheaper, Vail or Duck 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 Duck Key or Vail?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Duck Key and Vail can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Duck Key or Vail?
Duck Key
If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.
Vail
Vail is one of the premier ski resort areas in the United States. Located in central Colorado, Vail is not far from Denver and situated in the heart of the Rockies. Here you'll find a quaint mountain town designed around tourism, especially for the winter, although plenty of visitors come in the warmer months, too.
High-end hotels, condos, and other accommodation options are surrounded by shops and restaurants that are all somewhat expensive compared to other costs in the United States. Because of this, Vail is definitely not considered an "affordable" travel option for many. However, good deals can be found if you look around and do some research.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
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Duck Key Prices
USA PricesVail Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDuck Key $175Vail $345
The average daily cost (per person) in Duck Key is $175, while the average daily cost in Vail is $345. 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 Duck Key and Vail in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDuck Key $56Vail $174
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDuck Key $112Vail $348
Compare Hotels in Duck Key and Vail
Looking for a hotel in Duck Key or Vail? 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: Vail Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Duck Key $69Vail $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vail
Also for Vail, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vail/Beaver Creek/Avon to Eagle County Airport-Departure Transfer: $217
- Private Eagle County Regional / Vail Airport Transfer to Beaver Creek: $299
- Private Departure Transfer to Vail Airport EGE: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Duck Key or Vail?
Prices for flights to both Vail and Duck 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 dayDuck Key $77Vail $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Duck Key $30Vail $133
Tours and Activities in Vail
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vail.
- Bike Tour or Mountain Bike down Vail Mountain: $120
- Inflatable Kayak Adventure Colorado River: Half Day Guided Tour : $109
- Private You-Drive Jeep Adventure in Scenic Backcountry: $1,200
- Save the Mountain Escape Room Adventure: $40
- Smartphone Driving Tour between Denver & Vail / Breckenridge: $12
- Stand Up Paddle Board Colorado River Adventure: Guided Half Day : $109
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDuck Key $7.99Vail $9.79
Sample the Local Flavors in Vail
Also in Vail, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Vail Bar Crawl: $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck Key and Vail, we can see that Vail is more expensive. And not only is Duck Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Duck Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Duck 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 Vail would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vail than you might in Duck Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Duck Key Expensive? and Is Vail Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Duck Key or Vail?
Vail has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Duck Key and Vail, 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.
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.