Which place is cheaper, Phoenix or Shenandoah National Park?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shenandoah National Park and Phoenix 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.
Shenandoah National Park is a scenic, breathtaking, and serene national park. With stunning beauty, Shenandoah National Park attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the skiing and hiking. See Shenandoah National Park travel costs.
Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Phoenix travel costs.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Shenandoah National Park. Although Shenandoah National Park and Phoenix are popular destinations, Shenandoah National Park has more sights and attractions for tourists. Shenandoah National Park is very popular for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping. Shenandoah National Park is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its local wildlife, dramatic viewpoints, and world class hiking trails. It is also well known for Skyline Drive. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Phoenix and Shenandoah National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Shenandoah National Park is a national park with good options for skiing. However, Phoenix is not a skiing destination.
Head to Shenandoah National Park for some great skiing and other winter activities. You'll find skiing and snowboarding at nearby Massanutten Resort, which is near Harrisonburg, Virginia. It's a family-friendly setting with slopes that are classified as "easiest", "more difficult", and "most difficult".
Phoenix is not a skiing destination.
Phoenix is a city with good options for its historical sights. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination for its sights and museums.
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.
Shenandoah National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While most people spend their time outdoors enjoying the setting, there are museums in the area, as well as visitor centers that have exhibits and informative displays.
Phoenix is a city with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Phoenix is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.
Shenandoah National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are several restaurants along skyline drive where you can pick up a casual meal like fried chicken, burgers, or pasta.
Phoenix is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination for nightlife.
If you're looking for night time activities Phoenix has a few options to choose from. 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.
Most people don't head to Shenandoah National Park specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There are a number of breweries in the area, but most people enjoy stargazing and sitting by the campfire at night.
Shenandoah National Park is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.
Around Shenandoah National Park visitors will find world-class hiking trails. There are more than 500 miles of trails in the park that pass through varied landscapes and take you to beautiful viewpoints. Visitors range from weekend visitors to long term hikers who come to experience the breathtaking beauty and serene setting.
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.
Phoenix is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination for shopping.
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.
Shenandoah National Park is a good destination for shopping. There are a handful of gift shops along Skyline Drive were you can pick up souvenirs or t-shirts.
Shenandoah National Park is a great national park for its scenery and beauty. However, Phoenix is not a destination known for its beauty.
With stunning beauty, Shenandoah National Park attracts visitors from all around. Skyline drive passes by breathtaking views and wonderful lookout points. There are also miles of trails that let you explore the natural beauty of the area.
Phoenix is not a destination known for its beauty.
Shenandoah National Park is a great national park 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 Shenandoah National Park. There are tons of kid-friendly hikes to overlooks or waterfalls. Kids will love scrambling over the rocks or running through the forest. There are also plenty of campgrounds where families can hang out, toast marshmallows and enjoy some quality time together.
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.
Shenandoah National Park is a great national park for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.
Shenandoah National Park is a great national park if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy nature will love a visit to the park. There are beautiful views and scenic spots that will make for a wonderful and romantic trip. Hiking, biking, and exploring will fill your time with adventure and fun.
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.
Shenandoah National Park is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.
A large number of backpackers visit Shenandoah National Park, as it is a very popular national park for budget travelers. Backpackers love the hiking trails and backcountry camping. Many people head to the park to escape into nature and enjoy some low key time in a serene setting.
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.
Phoenix is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination for its public transit.
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 limited or non-existant in Shenandoah National Park. There's no real public transit in the park.
Phoenix is adequate for its ease of walking around. However, Shenandoah National Park is not a good destination for its walkability.
Phoenix is generally not a very walkable city. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.
Shenandoah National Park is not a walkable national park. While there are plenty of hiking trails, a car is a must to reach most trailheads.
For even more information, also check out Is Shenandoah National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Phoenix Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Shenandoah National Park and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Shenandoah National Park than in Phoenix. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Shenandoah National Park, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.
Families should spend more time in Shenandoah National Park than Phoenix. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Shenandoah National Park, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
In Shenandoah National Park, you'll find skiing. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This national park offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
With food and shopping around the sprawling city of Phoenix, there's plenty to do. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
In Shenandoah National Park, you'll find skiing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
With shopping and museums around the laid back destination of Phoenix, there's plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Shenandoah National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Shenandoah National Park has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the sprawling city of Phoenix. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shenandoah National Park. Many people enjoy the skiing when visiting Shenandoah National Park. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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.
Phoenix is a great place to explore. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenandoah National Park is $145, while the average daily cost in Phoenix is $276. 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 Shenandoah National Park and Phoenix in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Shenandoah National Park or Phoenix? 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.
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Phoenix and Shenandoah National Park 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenandoah National Park and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Shenandoah National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shenandoah National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shenandoah National Park 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Shenandoah National Park.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenandoah National Park Expensive? and Is Phoenix Expensive?.
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.
Both Phoenix and Shenandoah National Park are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Shenandoah National Park because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.
The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Shenandoah National Park is cooler than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Shenandoah National Park averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).
In July, Shenandoah National Park usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Shenandoah National Park gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Phoenix and Shenandoah National Park during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Shenandoah National Park this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Shenandoah National Park is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shenandoah National Park in October average around 56°F (13°C), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).
Shenandoah National Park usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Shenandoah National Park gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenandoah National Park and Phoenix. Many travelers come to Shenandoah National Park for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Phoenix in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Shenandoah National Park. In January, Shenandoah National Park is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Shenandoah National Park average around 32°F (-0°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
In January, Shenandoah National Park usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Shenandoah National Park gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Shenandoah National Park as well as Phoenix. Many visitors come to Shenandoah National Park in the spring for the natural beauty.
Shenandoah National Park is much colder than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Shenandoah National Park averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
Shenandoah National Park usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Shenandoah National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Shenandoah National Park | Phoenix | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 32°F (-0°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
Feb | 35°F (1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
Mar | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
Apr | 54°F (12°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
May | 63°F (17°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 83°F (28°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 92°F (34°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 98°F (36°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
Aug | 75°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 96°F (35°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
Sep | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 90°F (32°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
Oct | 56°F (13°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |