Which place is cheaper, Fairbanks or Mandeville?
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 Mandeville or Fairbanks?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mandeville or Fairbanks? 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: Mandeville or Fairbanks?
Mandeville
Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in the country.
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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Mandeville Prices
Jamaica PricesFairbanks Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandeville $95Fairbanks $318
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $95, 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 Mandeville and Fairbanks in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandeville $37Fairbanks $154
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandeville $74Fairbanks $308
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Fairbanks
Looking for a hotel in Mandeville 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.Mandeville $30Fairbanks $66
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 Mandeville or Fairbanks?
Prices for flights to both Fairbanks and Mandeville 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 dayMandeville $41Fairbanks $109
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.Mandeville $8.01Fairbanks $65
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:
- 1 Day Shared Tour Arctic Circle and Aurora Viewing in Alaska: $150
- 1 Hour Fall Sled Dog Experience in Two Rivers: $130
- 1 Hour Snowmobile Adventure in Boreal Forest: $159
- 1.5-Hour Beer and Puppies Guided Experience in Fairbanks: $58
- 3 Hour Ice Fishing Experience: $145
- 3-Hour Small Group 9-Hole Self-Guided Fairbanks Golf Experience: $114
- Alaska: Private Northern Lights Viewing Tour: $495
- Alaskan Heritage and Sightseeing Tour in Fairbanks: $165
- Arctic Circle Adventure: Journey on the Dalton Highway: $275
- Arctic Circle Day Tour Adventure: $299
- Arctic Circle Full-Day Adventure from Fairbanks: $285
- Aurora Chaser Tour: $161
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandeville $6.27Fairbanks $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandeville and Fairbanks, we can see that Fairbanks is more expensive. And not only is Mandeville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mandeville 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 Mandeville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandeville 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 Mandeville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandeville Expensive? and Is Fairbanks Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Fairbanks?
Mandeville has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Fairbanks. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville 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 Mandeville or Fairbanks?
Fairbanks has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mandeville experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Mandeville or Fairbanks in the Summer?
Both Fairbanks and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fairbanks this time of year.
In the summer, Mandeville is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mandeville in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Fairbanks averages at about 64°F (18°C).
In July, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMandeville 29°C (83°F)Fairbanks 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Mandeville or Fairbanks in the Autumn?
Both Fairbanks and Mandeville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Fairbanks for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Fairbanks. In October, Mandeville is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 28°C (82°F), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 27°F (-3°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually gets more rain in October than Fairbanks. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMandeville 28°C (82°F)Fairbanks 27°F (-3°C)
Should I visit Mandeville or Fairbanks in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Fairbanks. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Also, many visitors come to Fairbanks in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Fairbanks can get quite cold in the winter. Mandeville is much warmer than Fairbanks in the winter. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Fairbanks fluctuates around -9°F (-23°C).
In January, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMandeville 26°C (79°F)Fairbanks -9°F (-23°C)
Should I visit Mandeville or Fairbanks in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Fairbanks. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Fairbanks for the natural beauty during these months.
Fairbanks can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Mandeville is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mandeville in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Fairbanks averages at about 32°F (0°C).
Mandeville usually gets more rain in April than Fairbanks. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMandeville 26°C (80°F)Fairbanks 32°F (0°C)
Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Mandeville
| Mandeville | Fairbanks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | -9°F (-23°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 32°F (0°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 4°F (-15°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 104 mm (4.1 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.