Which place is cheaper, Denali National Park or Tucson?
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 Tucson or Denali National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Tucson and Denali National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Denali National Park?
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona, is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, renowned for its dramatic mountain landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and sunny, dry climate. As a gateway to the American Southwest, Tucson blends a laid-back atmosphere with strong Mexican and Native American influences, creating a unique desert city experience. Its historic neighborhoods feature colorful adobe architecture, lively murals, and a thriving arts scene. Nature lovers are drawn to Tucson for its easy access to saguaro-studded national parks, hiking trails, and breathtaking sunsets. With a strong university presence, the city pulses with youthful energy, affordable entertainment, and a dynamic culinary scene. Budget travelers will appreciate Tucson’s range of low-cost attractions and accessible public spaces, making it an excellent base for exploring both city sights and the nearby wilderness. Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor adventures, or simply soaking up desert vibes, Tucson offers something for every traveler.
Denali National Park
There is a place in Alaska, 240 miles wide, where you can be a part of the wild frontier. The expansive and untouched area of Denali National Park welcomes thousands of visitors ever year with stunning natural wonders and incredible wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou and more.
As home to North America's tallest peak, Denali has attracted nature adventurers from all over the world. Established in 1917 as wildlife refuge, Denali National Park contains areas of tundra and taiga. Taiga zones are covered in evergreen, spruce and aspen trees, while tundra zones are full of miniaturized versions of the plants including flowers, mosses and shrubs.
Remember that the weather changes without warning in Denali. It is a well known to the locals that you can expect sun, wind, rain and clouds in the same day. Pack accordingly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.
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Tucson Prices
USA PricesDenali National Park Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184Denali National Park $260
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, while the average daily cost in Denali National Park is $260. 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 Tucson and Denali National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Denali National Park $116
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Denali National Park $232
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Denali National Park
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Denali 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: Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Denali National Park $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Denali National Park?
Prices for flights to both Denali National Park and Tucson 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 dayTucson $63Denali National Park $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Denali National Park $30
Tours and Activities in Denali National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.
- 2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour: $135
- 3 Hour Naturalist Walking Tour in Denali National Park: $139
- 4 Hour Off-Trail Hiking Tour in Denali: $209
- 5-Hour Mountain Hiking Tour in the Alaska Range - Denali Area: $199
- Alaskan Back Country Side by Side ATV Adventure with Meal: $163
- Classic ATV Adventure with Back Country Dining: $163
- Denali 4 Hour Hiking Adventure with Naturalist Guide: $160
- Denali 5 Hour Hiking Tour with Naturalist Guide: $182
- Denali ATV Trailblazer 3.5 Hour Tour : $178
- Denali Husky Kennel & Brewpub Visit – Half-Day Experience: $130
- Denali Naturalist Walking Tour: $132
- Denali Park Zipline Adventure: $190
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Denali National Park $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and Denali National Park, we can see that Denali National Park is more expensive. And not only is Tucson much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tucson would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tucson 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 Denali National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denali National Park than you might in Tucson.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tucson Expensive? and Is Denali 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.