Is It Worth It: This Utah City Is One Of The Most Expensive Places To Visit

From dining and lodging options to the debate over rentals versus public transportation, there's a lot to consider when deciding on a vacation location. While most of us would prefer that money wasn't a factor in these kinds of decisions, the increasingly expensive nature of the economy has necessitated tighter budgets for many. With price increases across the board on flights, hotels, transportation, and even food, budgeting has become an even more significant part of vacation planning than it already was. According to NerdWallet's Travel Price Index, overall travel prices in September 2024 were up 10% compared to pre-pandemic levels. (Note, we recommend you don't spend more than this much of your income on a vacation.)

While you might consider certain money-saving strategies, such as avoiding high-end restaurants and/or downgrading to a less fancy hotel, you could still face significant cost increases depending on the location. This is because some destination cities are simply more expensive regardless of any travel-budgeting attempts you might make. From airfare limitations to higher price points on food, certain destinations could exhaust your budget faster than you'd like. This can make determining where exactly to vacation an even more complicated decision since, as much as you might want to see specific sights or do certain activities, your budget might not agree with you. One particularly expensive city — Park City, Utah — could have you rethinking your next family vacation.

With picturesque views among the Wasatch Mountains and renowned skiing, Utah's Park City has become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. However, the price tag attached to such a visit might leave some consumers changing their mind. According to research from travel blog Optimos Travel, vacationers visiting Park City can expect to pay $93.75 just for their daily meals and $471 per night for their hotel. Added all up, a family of four can expect to spend $12,632 for a weeklong vacation. While this is technically less than the most expensive U.S. vacation destination (Aspen, Colorado, which costs $13,691.61 for a family of four for a week), it is still a significant financial outlay for most Americans. It's also important to realize this price tag doesn't include the required flights to and from Park City.

Now, the total price tag for a Park City visit can obviously vary depending on not just what time of year you might choose to visit (February, March, and April tend to be cheaper), but also depending on what kinds of activities you want to do while you're there. Lift passes and ski/snowboard rentals, for example, can add a significant amount of money to your vacation total, especially for a family of four. Another important consideration, especially when it comes to finding hotel accommodations, is to remember that Park City is quite small, which can lead to scarcity when it comes to hotel rooms. This can drive up prices, making finding a reasonably priced hotel more difficult.

Ultimately, what might make a vacation to Park City, Utah, worth it to some travelers might make it infeasible for others. Your specific budget should be the key consideration when it comes to deciding where to vacation. If you find the price for a Park City trip fits into your budget, then the city offers plenty of fun experiences. If, on the other hand, you find the costs too prohibitive for a vacation, it could be worth considering other more mid-range budget cities that offer other unique experiences. According to the same cost report from Optimos Travel, cities like Outer Banks, North Carolina, and Charleston, West Virginia, can offer equally exciting experiences — but with a much less significant financial outlay.

The most important thing to factor into your potential travel budget is what specific categories have gone up the most since pre-pandemic levels. Knowing which spending categories might cost more can better help you map out a trip (and destination) that best fits the budget you have. For example, per NerdWallet's Travel Price Index, flight prices in 2024 have trended right around or even below pre-pandemic levels. meaning traveling to a destination farther away from your home could be an affordable option. On the flip side, renting a car has stayed consistently more expensive, with prices at least over 20% more than pre-pandemic levels throughout 2024 and getting as high as 39% more expensive in March of 2024. This means it could pay to prioritize a destination that offers easy and affordable public transportation options. (As well, see how much money using travel services from Costco could save you.)