Which place is cheaper, Yosemite 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 Yosemite 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 Yosemite National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Yosemite 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.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is located in east-central California in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It's one of the most famous and popular parks in the country and is known for its breathtaking granite cliffs, dramatic waterfalls, clear streams, and giant sequoia groves. The park covers 750,000 acres, or 1,200 square miles, and includes thousands of lakes and ponds and an impressive range of biodiversity. There are 800 miles of hiking trails within the park as well. Yosemite National Park is the third most visited park within the United States with an average annual visitation of almost 4 million people.
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 PricesYosemite National Park Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184Yosemite National Park $158
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, while the average daily cost in Yosemite National Park is $158. 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 Yosemite National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Yosemite National Park $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Yosemite National Park $128
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Yosemite National Park
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Yosemite 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 and Yosemite National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Yosemite National Park $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Yosemite National Park?
Prices for flights to both Yosemite 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 $63Yosemite National Park $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Yosemite National Park $19
Tours and Activities in Yosemite National Park
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yosemite National Park are as follows:
- Big Trees Hike & Riverside Cookout Adventure: $180
- Private Yosemite Tour Indulging in Nature, Flavors, and History: $30
- Private Yosemite Valley Tour & Roosevelt Cookout: $270
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Yosemite: $20
- Semi Private Yosemite Tour with Ahwahnee Lunch and Hotel Pickup: $250
- The Evolution of Yosemite 3 Hour Hiking Tour: $140
- The Evolution of Yosemite 3 Hour Walking Tour: $140
- Yosemite Family Explorers - Customizable Private Tour: $299
- Yosemite Family Explorers: Customizable Private Tour: $399
- Yosemite Highlights Small Group Tour: $210
- Yosemite National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour: $17
- Yosemite Team Building Adventure Hike: $293
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Yosemite National Park $11
When comparing the travel costs between Tucson and Yosemite National Park, we can see that Tucson 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 Tucson Expensive? and Is Yosemite 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.