Which place is cheaper, Denali National Park or Kansas City?
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 Kansas City or Denali National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Denali National Park? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Kansas City or Denali National Park?
Kansas City
A large, mid western city that sits on the border between Missouri and Kansa, Kansas City has a population of about 450,000. It's not exactly a tourist destination, but it is a surprisingly beautiful city with more boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any other city in the world with the exception of Rome. Most of the city's suburbs are concentrated in the south but the city is beginning to grow to the north as well. The climate in Kansas City can vary dramatically, in large part because it is so far from any form of water. Winters can range from mild to extremely cold and snow is not uncommon. Spring and fall and quite comfortable but summer months can be incredibly hot and humid.
Denali National Park
There is a place in Alaska, 240 miles wide, where you can be a part of the wild frontier. The expansive and untouched area of Denali National Park welcomes thousands of visitors ever year with stunning natural wonders and incredible wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou and more.
As home to North America's tallest peak, Denali has attracted nature adventurers from all over the world. Established in 1917 as wildlife refuge, Denali National Park contains areas of tundra and taiga. Taiga zones are covered in evergreen, spruce and aspen trees, while tundra zones are full of miniaturized versions of the plants including flowers, mosses and shrubs.
Remember that the weather changes without warning in Denali. It is a well known to the locals that you can expect sun, wind, rain and clouds in the same day. Pack accordingly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Kansas City Prices
USA PricesDenali National Park Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKansas City $196Denali National Park $260
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $196, while the average daily cost in Denali National Park is $260. 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 Kansas City and Denali National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Denali National Park $116
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Denali National Park $232
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Denali National Park
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Denali National Park? 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: Kansas City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Denali National Park $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Denali National Park?
Prices for flights to both Denali National Park and Kansas City 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 dayKansas City $82Denali National Park $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Denali National Park $30
Tours and Activities in Denali National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.
- 2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour: $135
- 3 Hour Naturalist Walking Tour in Denali National Park: $139
- 4 Hour Off-Trail Hiking Tour in Denali: $209
- 5-Hour Mountain Hiking Tour in the Alaska Range - Denali Area: $199
- Alaskan Back Country Side by Side ATV Adventure with Meal: $163
- Classic ATV Adventure with Back Country Dining: $163
- Denali 4 Hour Hiking Adventure with Naturalist Guide: $160
- Denali 5 Hour Hiking Tour with Naturalist Guide: $182
- Denali ATV Trailblazer 3.5 Hour Tour : $178
- Denali Husky Kennel & Brewpub Visit – Half-Day Experience: $130
- Denali Naturalist Walking Tour: $132
- Denali Park Zipline Adventure: $190
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Denali National Park $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Denali National Park, we can see that Denali National Park is more expensive. And not only is Kansas City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kansas City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kansas City 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 Denali National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denali National Park than you might in Kansas City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kansas City Expensive? and Is Denali National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kansas City or Denali National Park?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Kansas City or Denali National Park in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Denali National Park. Furthermore, many travelers come to Denali National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kansas City is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 82°F (28°C), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).
In July, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Denali National Park. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKansas City 82°F (28°C)Denali National Park 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Denali National Park in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Denali National Park. Additionally, many visitors come to Denali National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Denali National Park can get quite cold in the autumn. Kansas City is much warmer than Denali National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Denali National Park fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
Kansas City usually gets less rain in October than Denali National Park. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKansas City 60°F (15°C)Denali National Park 32°F (0°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Denali National Park in the Winter?
Both Denali National Park and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Denali National Park for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Denali National Park can be very cold during winter. Kansas City can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Kansas City is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kansas City in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 11°F (-12°C).
In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Denali National Park. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKansas City 30°F (-1°C)Denali National Park 11°F (-12°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Denali National Park in the Spring?
Both Denali National Park and Kansas City during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Denali National Park because of the natural beauty.
The weather in Denali National Park can be very cold. In April, Kansas City is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 58°F (15°C), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).
Kansas City usually gets more rain in April than Denali National Park. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKansas City 58°F (15°C)Denali National Park 34°F (1°C)
Typical Weather for Denali National Park and Kansas City
| Kansas City | Denali National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) | 11°F (-12°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.4 inches (37 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 34°F (1°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (108 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 inches (30 mm) | 13°F (-11°C) | 1.9 inches (49 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.