Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Grand Canyon National Park?
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 Grand Canyon National Park or Tucson?
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 Grand Canyon National Park and Tucson. 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: Grand Canyon National Park or Tucson?
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is a national landmark in the United States. It is also one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country and the colors, particularly at sunrise and sunset, will never cease to amaze you. The canyon is entirely within the state of Arizona and has been carved over millions of years by the Colorado River. It stands at over a mile deep and you can easily see the layers of geology with the Canyon's dramatic colors. The Grand Canyon National Park itself was created by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 as a national monument. It was later upgraded to a national park in 1919. It currently covers an area of more than 1.2 million acres and is visited yearly by more than four million guests.
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona, is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, renowned for its dramatic mountain landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and sunny, dry climate. As a gateway to the American Southwest, Tucson blends a laid-back atmosphere with strong Mexican and Native American influences, creating a unique desert city experience. Its historic neighborhoods feature colorful adobe architecture, lively murals, and a thriving arts scene. Nature lovers are drawn to Tucson for its easy access to saguaro-studded national parks, hiking trails, and breathtaking sunsets. With a strong university presence, the city pulses with youthful energy, affordable entertainment, and a dynamic culinary scene. Budget travelers will appreciate Tucson’s range of low-cost attractions and accessible public spaces, making it an excellent base for exploring both city sights and the nearby wilderness. Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor adventures, or simply soaking up desert vibes, Tucson offers something for every traveler.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.
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Grand Canyon National Park Prices
USA PricesTucson Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Canyon National Park $203Tucson $184
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Canyon National Park is $203, while the average daily cost in Tucson is $184. 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 Grand Canyon National Park and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Canyon National Park $89Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Canyon National Park $178Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Grand Canyon National Park and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Grand Canyon National Park or Tucson? 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: Grand Canyon National Park Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Canyon National Park $43Tucson $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Canyon National Park or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Grand Canyon National Park 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 dayGrand Canyon National Park $84Tucson $63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Grand Canyon National Park
For Grand Canyon National Park, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Grand Canyon South Rim Sunset Tour with Dinner included: $170
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Canyon National Park $35Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Grand Canyon National Park
For Grand Canyon National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Hour Off-Road Sunset Safari to Grand Canyon with Entrance Gate Detour : $123
- 4-Hour Biblical Creation + Sunset Tour • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim: $149
- 4-Hour Grand Canyon Morning Rim Tour featuring Biblical Creation: $149
- Express Grand Canyon Jeep Tour : $136
- Grand Canyon Biblical Creation Hiking Tour • South Kaibab Trail: $179
- Grand Canyon Day Hiking Private Below the Rim Tour: $689
- Grand Canyon Landmarks Tour by Airplane with Optional Hummer Tour: $199
- Grand Canyon Signature Hummer Tour with Optional Sunset Views: $127
- Grand Canyon South & East Rim Self-Driving, Walking & Shuttling Tour: $17
- Grand Canyon South Rim Tour with Lunch included: $187
- Grand Canyon South Rim Tour with Lunch included: $170
- Grand Canyon Tour from Tusayan: $245
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Canyon National Park $11Tucson $16
When comparing the travel costs between Grand Canyon National Park and Tucson, we can see that Grand Canyon National Park is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Grand Canyon National Park Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
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.