A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Phoenix vs. Ketchikan for Food, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Phoenix or Ketchikan?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Phoenix and Ketchikan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Phoenix travel costs.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a quaint, local, and scenic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, Ketchikan attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking. See Ketchikan travel costs.

Phoenix and Ketchikan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phoenix or Ketchikan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ketchikan than Phoenix, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ketchikan is better known for its food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Phoenix is more popular for its nightlife. Ketchikan is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its salmon fishing, beautiful natural environment, and strong sense of local culture. Also, Ketchikan is famous for the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Phoenix different from Ketchikan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ketchikan and Phoenix. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Phoenix or Ketchikan?

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Ketchikan and Phoenix.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Phoenix. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Ketchikan is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center.

Is the Food Better in Phoenix or Ketchikan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ketchikan is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Ketchikan have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Phoenix or Ketchikan Better for Nightlife?

Phoenix is very good for nightlife. However, Ketchikan is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Ketchikan. Because most visitors arrive by cruise ship, there's a more local vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll find a few local bars around town where you can enjoy a drink and good conversation.

Is Phoenix or Ketchikan Better for Hiking?

Ketchikan is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Around Ketchikan visitors will find world-class hiking trails. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Is the Shopping Better in Phoenix or Ketchikan?

If you're looking to go shopping, Phoenix and Ketchikan both offer plenty of notable spots.

Phoenix has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Ketchikan is a great destination for shopping. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.

Is Phoenix or Ketchikan More Beautiful?

Ketchikan is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Phoenix is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Ketchikan attracts visitors from all around. It's located at the southernmost entrance to the Inside Passage, so you can expect dramatic natural beauty and a breathtaking setting.

Phoenix is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Phoenix or Ketchikan Better for Families?

Ketchikan is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Ketchikan. There are a number of kid-friendly activities and tours, but do note that many tours book up fully with cruise ship passengers. Any tours you wish to do should be arranged well in advance. Popular kid-friendly activities include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Misty Fjords, and a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Everyone will enjoy learning about the area's history and nature at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. And anyone who enjoys the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" will appreciate the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Phoenix or Ketchikan Better for Couples?

Ketchikan is a great town for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Ketchikan is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy natural beauty, hiking, and wildlife will appreciate their time here. There are many opportunities for fishing and a plethora of seafood restaurants in the area that take advantage of this past time.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Phoenix or Ketchikan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ketchikan is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Ketchikan is a good town to visit for backpackers. While most visitors arrive by cruise ship, for those travel independently will appreciate the hostel in town.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Phoenix or Ketchikan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Phoenix and Ketchikan both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Public transit is generally limited in Ketchikan. There are buses that travel through town.

Is Phoenix or Ketchikan a more walkable city?

Ketchikan is a great town for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

Ketchikan is a very walkable destination. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

For even more information, also check out Is Phoenix Worth Visiting? and Is Ketchikan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ketchikan or Phoenix?

How long in Phoenix or Ketchikan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Phoenix and Ketchikan. In our opinion, Ketchikan has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ketchikan than Phoenix. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Ketchikan than Phoenix. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Ketchikan, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Ketchikan than Phoenix. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ketchikan that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ketchikan than Phoenix if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ketchikan.

One day in Phoenix or Ketchikan?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Phoenix. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phoenix has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Ketchikan, you'll find museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Phoenix or Ketchikan?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Phoenix. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Ketchikan, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ketchikan has to offer.

Five days in Phoenix or Ketchikan?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the sprawling city of Phoenix. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Ketchikan is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Phoenix or Ketchikan?

Phoenix is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ketchikan. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Ketchikan. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When comparing the travel costs between Phoenix and Ketchikan, we can see that Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive? and Is Ketchikan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Phoenix or Ketchikan?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Phoenix and Ketchikan, 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 Phoenix or Ketchikan?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Phoenix or Ketchikan in the Summer?

Both Ketchikan and Phoenix during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Phoenix in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ketchikan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. In the summer, Phoenix is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Phoenix in July average around 98°F (36°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 58°F (15°C).

Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Phoenix usually gets less rain in July than Ketchikan. Phoenix gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phoenix or Ketchikan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Phoenix and Ketchikan. Most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Phoenix is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Phoenix average around 79°F (26°C), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Phoenix or Ketchikan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Phoenix as well as Ketchikan. The winter months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ketchikan this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ketchikan in the winter. Phoenix is much warmer than Ketchikan in the winter. The daily temperature in Phoenix averages around 58°F (14°C) in January, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).

It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. Phoenix usually gets less rain in January than Ketchikan. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phoenix or Ketchikan in the Spring?

Both Ketchikan and Phoenix are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Ketchikan for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Phoenix is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Phoenix in April average around 74°F (23°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 44°F (6°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. In April, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Phoenix gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ketchikan and Phoenix