Which place is cheaper, Fairbanks or Woodstock?
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 Woodstock or Fairbanks?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Woodstock 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: Woodstock or Fairbanks?
Woodstock
While this town does lend its name to the 1969 Woodstock Festival, the legendary event was actually held on a dairy farm almost 60 miles away in Bethel, NY. So if you are looking to see the field where it all happened and a museum dedicated to its history, you will need to take a day trip outside of town.
Woodstock, New York, however, does stay true to the spirit of the arts. Since 1903, the place lay home to Byrdcliffe Art Colony, the oldest of its kind in the nation, and even attracted artists of the Hudson River School during the late 1800s. Today, artists from all disciplines-visual, ceramic, music, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, playwriting, and poetry-take up residence at the colony and have works displayed in galleries open in the main part of town.
Tinker Street and Mill Hill Road are lined with a mix of restaurants and shops all teeming with the essence of hippie living, arts, and spirituality. From shops selling Woodstock paraphernalia, incense, and Himalayan products, to yoga studios, vegan restaurants, and local art galleries-the town of Woodstock is one dedicated to keeping the spirit of the Woodstock Festival and the arts alive.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Woodstock Prices
USA PricesFairbanks Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWoodstock $178Fairbanks $318
The average daily cost (per person) in Woodstock is $178, 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 Woodstock and Fairbanks in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWoodstock $81Fairbanks $154
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWoodstock $162Fairbanks $308
Compare Hotels in Woodstock and Fairbanks
Looking for a hotel in Woodstock 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.Woodstock $60Fairbanks $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 Woodstock or Fairbanks?
Prices for flights to both Fairbanks and Woodstock 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 dayWoodstock $59Fairbanks $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.Woodstock $35Fairbanks $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:
- Axe Throwing Experience with Ninja Stars: $45
- Siberian Husky Kennel Tour: $49
- 1.5-Hour Beer and Puppies Guided Experience in Fairbanks: $58
- Extreme Cold Clothing Pkg - (Parka Snowpant Bibs Boots) No Tour: $65
- Walking with Reindeer Experience: $85
- Sledding and Homesteading Adventure: $95
- Husky Hiking Tour: $99
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience: $105
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience in North Pole: $105
- Fairbanks Snowmobile Adventure from North Pole: $113
- 3-Hour Small Group 9-Hole Self-Guided Fairbanks Golf Experience: $114
- First or Last Call Aurora Tour: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWoodstock $22Fairbanks $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Woodstock and Fairbanks, we can see that Fairbanks is more expensive. And not only is Woodstock much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Woodstock would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Woodstock 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 Woodstock.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Woodstock Expensive? and Is Fairbanks Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Woodstock or Fairbanks?
Fairbanks has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Woodstock. When comparing the sizes of Woodstock 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 Woodstock or Fairbanks?
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 Woodstock or Fairbanks in the Summer?
Both Fairbanks and Woodstock during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fairbanks this time of year.
In July, Woodstock is generally a little warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Woodstock average around 74°F (24°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
Woodstock usually gets more rain in July than Fairbanks. Woodstock gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyWoodstock 74°F (24°C)Fairbanks 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Woodstock or Fairbanks in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Woodstock and Fairbanks. 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. Woodstock is much warmer than Fairbanks in the autumn. The daily temperature in Woodstock averages around 53°F (12°C) in October, and Fairbanks fluctuates around 27°F (-3°C).
In October, Woodstock usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Woodstock gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberWoodstock 53°F (12°C)Fairbanks 27°F (-3°C)
Should I visit Woodstock or Fairbanks in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Woodstock as well as Fairbanks. 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. Be prepared for some very cold days in Woodstock. In the winter, Woodstock is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the winter temperatures in Woodstock in January average around 25°F (-4°C), and Fairbanks averages at about -9°F (-23°C).
Woodstock usually gets more rain in January than Fairbanks. Woodstock gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryWoodstock 25°F (-4°C)Fairbanks -9°F (-23°C)
Should I visit Woodstock or Fairbanks in the Spring?
Both Fairbanks and Woodstock are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Fairbanks for the natural beauty during these months.
Fairbanks can be very cold during spring. In April, Woodstock is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Woodstock average around 49°F (10°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
In April, Woodstock usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Woodstock gets 3.7 inches (95 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilWoodstock 49°F (10°C)Fairbanks 32°F (0°C)
Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Woodstock
| Woodstock | Fairbanks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°F (-4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | -9°F (-23°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Feb | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Mar | 38°F (3°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Apr | 49°F (10°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Jun | 69°F (21°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Jul | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Oct | 53°F (12°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Nov | 43°F (6°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 4°F (-15°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Dec | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | -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.