Which place is cheaper, Fairbanks or Havana?
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 Havana or Fairbanks?
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 Havana and Fairbanks can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or Fairbanks?
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.
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Havana Prices
Cuba PricesFairbanks Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $74Fairbanks $318
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, 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 Havana and Fairbanks in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $42Fairbanks $154
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $84Fairbanks $308
Compare Hotels in Havana and Fairbanks
Looking for a hotel in Havana 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.Havana $19Fairbanks $66
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
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 Havana or Fairbanks?
Prices for flights to both Fairbanks and Havana 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 dayHavana $18Fairbanks $109
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
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
- Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE 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.Havana $11Fairbanks $65
Tours and Activities in Havana
Here are a few actual costs in Havana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private: City Tour with Lunch, Rum, and Chocolate: $2,000
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:
- Axe Throwing Experience with Ninja Stars: $45
- Siberian Husky Kennel Tour: $49
- 1.5-Hour Beer and Puppies Guided Experience in Fairbanks: $58
- Extreme Cold Clothing Pkg - (Parka Snowpant Bibs Boots) No Tour: $65
- Walking with Reindeer Experience: $85
- Sledding and Homesteading Adventure: $95
- Husky Hiking Tour: $99
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience: $105
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience in North Pole: $105
- Fairbanks Snowmobile Adventure from North Pole: $113
- 3-Hour Small Group 9-Hole Self-Guided Fairbanks Golf Experience: $114
- First or Last Call Aurora Tour: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76Fairbanks $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Fairbanks, we can see that Fairbanks is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana is in Caribbean Islands and Fairbanks is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Havana Expensive? and Is Fairbanks Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or Fairbanks?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Fairbanks. When comparing the sizes of Havana 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 Havana or Fairbanks?
Fairbanks has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Havana or Fairbanks in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Havana as well as Fairbanks. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Fairbanks because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Havana is much warmer than Fairbanks in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Fairbanks fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
Havana usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Fairbanks. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)Fairbanks 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Havana or Fairbanks in the Autumn?
Both Fairbanks and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Fairbanks this time of year.
It's quite cold in Fairbanks in the autumn. In the autumn, Havana is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Fairbanks averages at about 27°F (-3°C).
In October, Havana usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)Fairbanks 27°F (-3°C)
Should I visit Havana or Fairbanks in the Winter?
Both Fairbanks and Havana during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Fairbanks for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Fairbanks. In January, Havana is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Fairbanks fluctuates around -9°F (-23°C).
Havana usually gets more rain in January than Fairbanks. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)Fairbanks -9°F (-23°C)
Should I visit Havana or Fairbanks in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Fairbanks. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Fairbanks in the spring for the natural beauty.
Fairbanks can get quite cold in the spring. Havana is much warmer than Fairbanks in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Fairbanks fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
In April, Havana usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)Fairbanks 32°F (0°C)
Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Havana
| Havana | Fairbanks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | -9°F (-23°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 32°F (0°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 4°F (-15°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | -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.