The Most Expensive Places To Visit in the U.S.

It’s no secret that, between airfare, accommodations, and meals, a vacation can balloon into a costly endeavor in the blink of an eye. But there are a number of resort towns, bustling metropolises, and even remote locales where the sticker shock is especially high — some of which may surprise the average tourist. To determine where the cost is most prohibitive, we looked at a 2025 study from personal finance company GOBankingRates. They analyzed the average price of a three-night stay for two people in popular tourist destinations across the U.S., with airfare and meals included. Here’s a look at the most expensive places to visit in the U.S. in 2025, according to the report.

10. Juneau, Alaska

Total cost of a three-night stay for two: $2,016

As the only U.S. state capital you can’t drive to, Juneau isn’t cheap for visitors. Travelers should expect to pay roughly $978 — nearly half the total cost of a three-night getaway — just on plane tickets. These elevated prices are due to a combination of higher operating costs and less competition for airlines that serve remote Alaskan destinations such as Juneau. However, once there, you’ll find that accommodations and dining are a bit more affordable: The average three-night stay in Juneau runs around $200 per night, and visitors end up paying roughly $70 each day on meals and drinks.

9. Seattle, Washington

Total cost of a three-night stay for two: $2,024

Seattle is the most expensive tourist destination in the Pacific Northwest, surpassing the $2,000 mark for a three-night stay. Part of this is attributable to the city’s bustling food scene, as visitors regularly shell out over $100 each day to enjoy freshly caught salmon and other tasty local fare. The nightly rate at a typical Seattle hotel room is around $180, and each person should be prepared to spend an average of $400 for airfare to and from the Emerald City.

8. Asheville, North Carolina

Total cost of a three-night stay for two: $2,058

Located in western North Carolina, Asheville is a popular tourist destination known for the scenic beauty of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as its vibrant arts scene. Because it’s one of the most desirable destinations in the region, expect hotel rates to cost more than $250 per night. The good news is that getting to and from Asheville is cheaper than traveling to any of the other cities to crack the top 10, as average airfare costs $335 per person.

7. New York, New York

Total cost of a three-night stay for two: $2,134

Despite its high costs, New York City is the most-visited city in the country. Interestingly, according to the study, hotel rooms are surprisingly affordable, with the average nightly rate in the Big Apple coming in at only $133. But it can be difficult to find a good deal on flights, and you’re likely to end up spending an average of around $440 per person. A big reason to visit New York is its world-class food scene — which is why typical visitors spend in excess of $142 each day on food and drink.

6. Portland, Maine

Total cost of a three-night stay for two: $2,150

Forget about Boston or New York City — the most expensive places to visit in the Northeast are in Maine. Coastal Portland is among them; the average cost of airfare to and from the city is around $419 per person. Nightly hotel rates are somewhat more reasonable, coming in at around $179 per room, but the cost of food and drink bumps the price up even further. The daily dining bill averages $129 per person, but there’s a good chance you’ll feel like it was money well spent — despite being a small city, Portland is known for its incredible food scene, particularly its local lobster.

5. Fairbanks, Alaska

Total cost of a three-night stay for two: $2,157

Fairbanks serves as the gateway to many of Alaska’s interior and Arctic regions, including the incredible Denali National Park, home to the highest mountain in the United States. If you’re one of the many nature lovers planning a trip here, start thinking about your vacation budget. Average airfare to and from Fairbanks is about $590 per person, an average hotel rate comes in around $150 per night, and visitors typically spend over $100 daily on food and drink.

4. Bar Harbor, Maine

Total cost of a three-night stay for two: $2,224

Bar Harbor is the entry point to Acadia National Park, arguably the most awe-inspiring natural landmark in Maine. But only around 2,300 people call Bar Harbor home, meaning there are fewer restaurants and hotels in the surrounding vicinity. This also means fewer flights into the nearby Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, which is why many people fly to the more popular Bangor International Airport. However, doing so requires paying to rent a car and driving over an hour south to Bar Harbor, increasing the total cost of visiting this popular seaside destination.

3. Anchorage, Alaska

Total cost of a three-night stay for two: $2,294

The most expensive city to visit in Alaska is its biggest one: Anchorage. Many travelers fly into Anchorage on their way to visit landmarks such as Kenai Fjords National Park or to explore the famous Portage Glacier. But in order to reach Anchorage, you should expect to pay an average airfare of around $595 per person, making up over half of the total cost of your trip. A quarter of the remaining cost will go toward meals, while the rest will be spent on hotels.

2. Santa Barbara, California

Total cost of a three-night stay for two: $2,446

California cities such as San Francisco are among the most expensive places to live in the country, so perhaps it’s no surprise that Santa Barbara is among the most expensive to visit. This coastal paradise is always in demand, as evidenced by the fact that it has the highest average hotel rate ($275 per night) of any city in the top 10. On top of that, visitors spend an average of $100 per person every day for food, and over $475 to fly in and out of Santa Barbara Airport.

1. Aspen, Colorado

Total cost of a three-night stay for two: $2,708

The most expensive U.S. tourist destination is the Colorado ski resort town of Aspen. Though the normal population is around 6,000 people, the number of people in town during peak season skyrockets to over 20,000. With a limited number of flights and hotel rooms to go around, this means you’re paying an average of $671 for airfare and more than $250 per night for hotel rooms. Despite the high airfare and hotel costs, the cost for daily meals is a more reasonable $85 per person.

You can view the rest of the GOBankingRates report and read more about their methodology here.