A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers El Paso vs. Vernon for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit El Paso or Vernon?

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 El Paso and Vernon can help you decide which place is right for you.

El Paso

El Paso is a undiscovered, laid-back, and low-key city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See El Paso travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a peaceful, relaxing, and quiet town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Vernon travel costs.

El Paso and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in El Paso or Vernon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Vernon than El Paso, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Vernon is better known for its hiking, while El Paso is more popular for its nightlife. Vernon is more touristy than El Paso and is popular for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails. Also, Vernon is famous for Davison Orchards Country Village. El Paso is well known for its Spanish missions and its outstanding Mexican food.

How is El Paso different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Vernon and El Paso. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in El Paso or Vernon?

El Paso
Vernon

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either El Paso or Vernon.

El Paso is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Visitors can learn about local art, culture, and history at the El Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Museum of History, the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum, and the Eduardo Pedregón Memorial Veterans Museum.

Vernon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.


Is the Food Better in El Paso or Vernon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

El Paso
Vernon

Dining out at restaurants in both El Paso and Vernon can be an enjoyable experience.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around El Paso. Mexican food and barbecue are popular around town but you'll also find burgers, pizza, and other American favorites.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is El Paso or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

El Paso
Vernon

El Paso is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in El Paso. There are a number of bars, nightclubs, and lounges around town where you can enjoy a fun night out.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is El Paso or Vernon Better for Hiking?

El Paso
Vernon

Vernon is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, El Paso is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Vernon. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

El Paso is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in El Paso or Vernon?

El Paso
Vernon

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both El Paso and Vernon.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in El Paso. There are a number of malls and outlet centers around town. One of the most well known is Bassett Place, but other options include Cielo Vista Mall and the Fountains at Farah.

Vernon offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is El Paso or Vernon Better for Families?

El Paso
Vernon

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either El Paso or Vernon.

El Paso is a family-friendly city. There are adventure parks, playgrounds, outdoor centers and nature activities that families can enjoy.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Vernon. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is El Paso or Vernon Better for Couples?

El Paso
Vernon

Vernon is very good for romance. However, El Paso is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

Most people don't think of El Paso as a couple's destination. Couples can enjoy dinner and a show or taking a romantic drive up to the overlook.


Is El Paso or Vernon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

El Paso
Vernon

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both El Paso and Vernon.

Public transit is mostly limited in El Paso. While there are some bus routes in town, you shouldn't rely on them and must have a private vehicle to efficiently visit the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is El Paso or Vernon a more walkable city?

El Paso
Vernon

El Paso and Vernon are respectable when it comes to walkability.

El Paso is generally not a very walkable city. You really need a car to get around town.

Vernon is generally not very walkable. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

For even more information, also check out Is El Paso Worth Visiting? and Is Vernon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vernon or El Paso?

How long in El Paso or Vernon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both El Paso and Vernon. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Vernon than in El Paso. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for El Paso, and 1-3 days is enough time in Vernon.

Couples should spend more time in Vernon than El Paso. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Vernon that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.


  • How many days in El Paso or Vernon? Ideal Length of Stay
    El Paso 1-2 
    Vernon 1-3

One day in El Paso or Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of El Paso. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Vernon, you'll find museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.


A weekend in El Paso or Vernon?

El Paso is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Vernon, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Vernon has to offer.

Five days in El Paso or Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in El Paso. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vernon is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in El Paso or Vernon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the low-key destination of El Paso. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Vernon. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Vernon. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Vernon or El Paso?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • El Paso Prices
    USA Prices
    Vernon Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    El Paso $200
    Vernon $49

The average daily cost (per person) in El Paso is $200, while the average daily cost in Vernon is $49. 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 El Paso and Vernon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    El Paso $81
    Vernon $4.81
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    El Paso $162
    Vernon $9.62
Compare Hotels in El Paso and Vernon

Looking for a hotel in El Paso or Vernon? 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.

Hotels in El Paso


Hotels in Vernon


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: El Paso Hotel Prices and Vernon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    El Paso $37
    Vernon -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Paso

Also for El Paso, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • El Paso International Airport (ELP) to El Paso - Arrival Private Transfer : $67
  • El Paso to El Paso International Airport (ELP) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
  • El Paso International Airport (ELP) to El Paso - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $134
  • El Paso Airport (ELP) to Truth or Consequences Arrival Transfer: $293

Is it cheaper to fly into El Paso or Vernon?

Prices for flights to both Vernon and El Paso 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    El Paso $93
    Vernon $43
Typical Food Prices in El Paso

For El Paso, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Rudy's BBQ (family of 4)
    $40

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    El Paso $27
    Vernon -

Tours and Activities in El Paso

For El Paso, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Wraiths of the West Texas Wind: El Paso Ghost Tour: $24
  • Wraiths of the West Texas Wind: El Paso Ghost Tour: $26
  • Texas and New Mexico Bundle 4 day Self Guided National Park Tours: $40
  • El Paso Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate: $102
  • Private Downtown City Sightseeing Tour of Juarez Mexico: $120
  • Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Jeep Tour: $130
  • Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour: $190
  • UTV Adventure Tour / Rental: $275

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    El Paso $27
    Vernon $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Paso and Vernon, we can see that El Paso is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon 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 El Paso would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in El Paso than you might in Vernon.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is El Paso Expensive? and Is Vernon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, El Paso or Vernon?

El Paso has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of El Paso and Vernon, 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.