A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Kansas City vs. Vail for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kansas City or Vail?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Vail? 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 Vail?

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.

Vail

Vail is one of the premier ski resort areas in the United States. Located in central Colorado, Vail is not far from Denver and situated in the heart of the Rockies. Here you'll find a quaint mountain town designed around tourism, especially for the winter, although plenty of visitors come in the warmer months, too.

High-end hotels, condos, and other accommodation options are surrounded by shops and restaurants that are all somewhat expensive compared to other costs in the United States. Because of this, Vail is definitely not considered an "affordable" travel option for many. However, good deals can be found if you look around and do some research.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Vail 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.

  • Kansas City Prices
    USA Prices
    Vail Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kansas City $196
    Vail $345

The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $196, while the average daily cost in Vail is $345. 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 Vail in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kansas City $88
    Vail $174
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kansas City $176
    Vail $348
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Vail

Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Vail? 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 Kansas City


Hotels in Vail


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 and Vail Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kansas City $44
    Vail $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vail

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

  • Vail/Beaver Creek/Avon to Eagle County Airport-Departure Transfer: $217
  • Private Eagle County Regional / Vail Airport Transfer to Beaver Creek: $299
  • Private Departure Transfer to Vail Airport EGE: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Vail?

Prices for flights to both Vail 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kansas City $82
    Vail $129

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kansas City $11
    Vail $133

Tours and Activities in Vail

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

  • Bike Tour or Mountain Bike down Vail Mountain: $120
  • Inflatable Kayak Adventure Colorado River: Half Day Guided Tour : $109
  • Private You-Drive Jeep Adventure in Scenic Backcountry: $1,200
  • Save the Mountain Escape Room Adventure: $40
  • Smartphone Driving Tour between Denver & Vail / Breckenridge: $12
  • Stand Up Paddle Board Colorado River Adventure: Guided Half Day : $109

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kansas City $12
    Vail $9.79

Sample the Local Flavors in Vail

Also in Vail, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Vail Bar Crawl: $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Vail, we can see that Vail 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 Vail would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vail 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 Vail Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Vail?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Vail. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Vail, 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.