Which place is cheaper, Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone 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.
Yellowstone National Park
The world's first national park, Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872. The area is famous for its many geysers, hot springs, and thermal areas. It also has a wide diversity of wildlife and stunning beauty, making it one of the most impressive places you can visit in the United States. The national park takes up an area of about 3,472 square miles and is mostly located within the state of Wyoming. It also touches the states of Idaho and Montana.
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 PricesYellowstone National Park Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKansas City $196Yellowstone National Park $181
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $196, while the average daily cost in Yellowstone National Park is $181. 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 Yellowstone National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Yellowstone National Park $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Yellowstone National Park $148
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Yellowstone National Park
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Yellowstone 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 and Yellowstone National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Yellowstone National Park $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Yellowstone National Park?
Prices for flights to both Yellowstone 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 $82Yellowstone National Park $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Yellowstone National Park $34
Tours and Activities in Yellowstone National Park
Here are a few actual costs in Yellowstone National Park for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 6-Mile Geyser Hiking Tour in Yellowstone with Lunch: $182
- E-Bike Tours in Yellowstone National Park: $250
- Early Morning Guided Kayak Tour: $125
- Full-Day Guided Yellowstone Day Tour: $299
- Grand Teton and Yellowstone Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle: $35
- Lake Yellowstone Half Day Kayak Tours Past Geothermal Features : $120
- Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch: $182
- Salt Lake City: Yellowstone 4-day Tour with Airport Pickup: $918
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Yellowstone National Park: $20
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Yellowstone and Grand Teton: $33
- Small-Group Sunset Kayaking Tour on Lake Yellowstone : $125
- Ultimate Audio Tours: Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Teton & Banff: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Yellowstone National Park $19
When comparing the travel costs between Kansas City and Yellowstone National Park, we can see that Kansas City 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 Kansas City Expensive? and Is Yellowstone National Park 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.