Travel Budget for Big Sur Visit Big Sur on a Budget or Travel in Style

Big Sur, California, United States of America

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Accommodation Budget in Big Sur

In Big Sur, the price of hotels can really surprise you. Some are much more expensive, offering higher luxury and amenities. Peak season rates soar, with off-season averages around $927 and peak summer season rising to an average of $1,730. Prices typically range from $294 to $4,835, but hostels remain cheaper, especially in dorms. To save money, book during the low season or take advantage of special promotions and advance deals.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid in Big Sur for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $330. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $165 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.

  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $165
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $330

Hotels in Big Sur

Looking for a hotel in Big Sur? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

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Actual Hotel Prices in Big Sur

The average hotel room price in Big Sur based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $927 in the low season and $1,730 in the peak season. Below are the average prices for each budget category. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Big Sur

By avoiding the peak summer season and traveling during the low or shoulder seasons, you will be able to save on accommodation and avoid heavy tourist crowds.


Recommended Properties


Budgeting and Travel Tips for Big Sur

  • During the peak season of summer, prices are typically elevated and the natural area can be quite crowded. You can enjoy savings and a more relaxed atmosphere by visiting in the shoulder or low seasons instead.
  • By opting for a more leisurely travel pace, you can save money while enjoying the area's beauty. If you try to squeeze too many activities into your schedule, expenses can climb quickly. On the other hand, slowing down often allows for a more enjoyable and cost-effective experience.

Budgeting Challenges

  • Public transportation is quite scarce in Big Sur. It may be beneficial to rent a car or arrange a form of transport in advance, like a tour. Keep in mind that this could impact your budget in other ways.
  • If you were counting on hostels in Big Sur, you might be out of luck because the natural area does not have very many. If saving money in a dorm was your plan, instead consider finding a budget hotel or renting an apartment.
Traveling in Big Sur
Big Sur Big Sur, California

Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.

However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.

While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.



We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.