A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Flagstaff vs. Hope for Hiking, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Flagstaff or Hope?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Flagstaff and Hope can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a picturesque, active, and adventurous city. Flagstaff is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Flagstaff travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a local, small, and friendly town. Other popular activities here include hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Flagstaff and Hope: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Flagstaff or Hope?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Flagstaff than Hope, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Flagstaff is more touristy than Hope and is popular for its nearby craters and volcanic caves as well as its location along the historic Route 66. Also, Flagstaff is famous for Walnut Canyon National Monument. Hope is well known for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo."

How is Flagstaff different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Flagstaff or Hope?

Flagstaff
Hope

Flagstaff is very good for its historical sights. However, Hope is not known for its sights and museums.

Flagstaff is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Lowell Observatory is a highlight for many visitors, especially those who are fascinated by space. There's also the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Pioneer Museum, and Fort Tuthill Military History Museum.

Hope offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.


Is the Food Better in Flagstaff or Hope? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Flagstaff
Hope

Flagstaff is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Flagstaff. The food scene is diverse and growing. There's a focus on local recipes and ingredients. You'll also find many casual and family-friendly restaurants. American cuisine is common, but you'll also find burritos, Indian curries, and frittatas.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Flagstaff or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Flagstaff
Hope

Flagstaff is very good for nightlife. However, Hope is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Flagstaff has a few options to choose from. You'll find a range of bars and cocktail lounges around town that come to life in the evening hours.

Most people don't head to Hope specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Flagstaff or Hope Better for Hiking?

Flagstaff
Hope

Flagstaff is a world-class destination for hiking. Also, Hope is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

Many people visit Flagstaff specifically for its hiking. Nearby you'll find world class hikes through surreal landscapes and diverse environments. The area is filled with desert landscapes and varied rock formations that are best explored on foot. Trails range in length and skill level, but whatever your ability, the hiking in the area is among the best.

Hope is a popular spot for hiking. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.


Is the Shopping Better in Flagstaff or Hope?

Flagstaff
Hope

Flagstaff is very good for shopping. However, Hope is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Flagstaff. Located along historic Route 66, you'll find many shops that capture the city's history, particularly in the Southside Historic District. The town also has farmer's markets as well as shopping centers and large malls.

If you're looking to go shopping, Hope has some nice offerings. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Is Flagstaff or Hope More Beautiful?

Flagstaff
Hope

Flagstaff is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Hope is not a destination known for its beauty.

Flagstaff is a gorgeous place to visit. While the city itself isn't exactly beautiful, the surrounding landscapes are surreal and truly unique.

Hope is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Flagstaff or Hope Better for Families?

Flagstaff
Hope

Both Flagstaff and Hope are superb to visit with kids.

Flagstaff is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city is filled with outdoor activities for kids like ropes courses and adventure parks. Kids will also enjoy climbing around the Lava River Cave, visiting Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, or hiking through the many diverse landscapes in the area. There are also museums that educate visitors on the city's history as well as Lowell Observatory, which will intrigue all the space enthusiasts among us.

Hope is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.


Is Flagstaff or Hope Better for Couples?

Flagstaff
Hope

Hope is well known for couples. Also, Flagstaff is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Hope frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

Flagstaff is a nice destination for couples. Hiking and outdoor adventure sports make this city a good destination for couples who enjoy active living. There are many parks that you can visit as well as hiking trails and unique natural settings.

Is Flagstaff or Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Flagstaff
Hope

Flagstaff and Hope are superb places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Flagstaff is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are campgrounds nearby as well as tons of nature parks and countless hiking trails in the area.

Hope is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

Is Flagstaff or Hope Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Flagstaff
Hope

Flagstaff is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Hope is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Flagstaff. The Mountain Line offers eight routes through town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hope. There is no public transit in town.


Is Flagstaff or Hope a more walkable city?

Flagstaff
Hope

Flagstaff is very good for its walkability. However, Hope is not known for its high level of walkability.

Flagstaff is somewhat walkable. The downtown is compact and walkable, but you'll really want to have a car to explore the nearby hiking trails and natural areas.

Hope is generally not very walkable. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.

For even more information, also check out Is Flagstaff Worth Visiting? and Is Hope Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hope or Flagstaff?

How long in Flagstaff or Hope?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Flagstaff and Hope. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Flagstaff than in Hope. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Flagstaff, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hope.

Families should spend more time in Flagstaff than Hope. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Flagstaff, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Flagstaff than Hope if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Flagstaff.


  • How many days in Flagstaff or Hope? Ideal Length of Stay
    Flagstaff 2-4 
    Hope 2-3

One day in Flagstaff or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Flagstaff. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find around the town of Hope. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Flagstaff or Hope?

Flagstaff is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find around the local destination of Hope. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.


Five days in Flagstaff or Hope?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the picturesque destination of Flagstaff. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the small town of Hope. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Flagstaff or Hope?

The picturesque city of Flagstaff offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Hope is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Hope or Flagstaff?

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

  • Flagstaff Prices
    USA Prices
    Hope Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Flagstaff $207
    Hope $47

The average daily cost (per person) in Flagstaff is $207, while the average daily cost in Hope is $47. 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 Flagstaff and Hope in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Flagstaff $86
    Hope $8.89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Flagstaff $172
    Hope $18
Compare Hotels in Flagstaff and Hope

Looking for a hotel in Flagstaff or Hope? 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 Flagstaff


Hotels in Hope


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: Flagstaff Hotel Prices and Hope Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Flagstaff $37
    Hope -

Is it cheaper to fly into Flagstaff or Hope?

Prices for flights to both Hope and Flagstaff 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
    Flagstaff $95
    Hope $38

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Flagstaff $28
    Hope -

Tours and Activities in Flagstaff

Here are a few actual costs in Flagstaff for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Arizona: Grand Canyon National Park Tour with Lunch & Pickup: $245
  • Comprehensive Grand Canyon Tour from Flagstaff: $209
  • Downtown Flagstaff Haunted History Tour: $28
  • Downtown Flagstaff Haunted History Walking Tour: $28
  • Family-Friendly Ghost Walking Tour in Flagstaff: $30
  • Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course-Adult Course: $65
  • Flagstaff Segway Tour: $129
  • Flagstaff Underground: Historical Walking Tour: $30
  • Flagstaff's Famous Ghosts Smartphone Guided Walking Tour : $7.75
  • Adults-Only Haunted Walking Tour: $35
  • Family Friendly Haunted Walking Tour: $30
  • Grand Canyon, Wupatki & Volcano Christian Tour: $209

Tours and Activities in Hope

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hope.

  • From Vancouver: 2-Day Kelowna Wine, Lake, and Farm Tour: $296
  • From Vancouver: 3-Day Tour to Manning Park, Nelson & Osoyoos: $379

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Flagstaff $29
    Hope $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Flagstaff

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Flagstaff:

  • Spirits With The Spirits, Haunted Pub Crawl: $50
  • Spirits With The Spirits, Haunted Pub Crawl Of Downtown Flagstaff: $60


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

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


Which is Bigger, Flagstaff or Hope?

Flagstaff has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Flagstaff and Hope, 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.