Is Pasadena expensive to visit?
Pasadena is a small yet captivating city that lures visitors with differing travel styles, spending levels, and budgetary preferences. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.
You may find Pasadena to be expensive in some places, but there are ways to keep your budget in check, like eating at less expensive restaurants and taking public transit.
On average, budget travelers spend $53 per day, mid-range travelers spend $76 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $117 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Pasadena.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Pasadena is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in North America for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Pasadena.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Pasadena Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Pasadena?
The average Pasadena trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Pasadena travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Pasadena cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Having realistic expectations about your travel budget in Pasadena is important. While you might think you can save money by cutting expenses, traveling comfortably requires a bit more spending for most people. Think about your favorite vacation activities and ideal travel style. Staying in a resort or comfortable hotel, along with sightseeing and dining out are generally what many people prefer. Your travel preferences will determine how much you'll end up spending on your trip.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $53 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Dining is a highlight for all types of visitors in Pasadena, but budget travelers typically settle for street food or hostel meals, meaning they may not fully enjoy the delightful local cuisine.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
If you're a couple or a family traveling for fun, you'll likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular restaurants, and visit the major museums and attractions which have entry fees. Visitors to Pasadena typically prioritize the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks during their stay. Most activities cost money, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be closer to $76 per person, per day.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If you're looking for an all-encompassing vacation filled with luxurious amenities and higher-level service, prepare your budget for around $117 per day. Selecting nicer hotels, savoring meals at award-winning establishments, indulging in lavish adventures, and traveling around the city with taxis or private drivers will call for a luxury budget.
Accommodation Budget in Pasadena
Pasadena has a wide range of hotel prices. Luxury hotels come with higher price tags and better amenities, and prices are much steeper during peak season. On average, a room costs $202 in the off-season and averages $377 during peak summer season. Overall, you can expect prices from $124 to $726. Hostels, especially dorms, are cheaper alternatives. You can save by traveling in the low season, booking in advance, or looking for special offers.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Pasadena for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $51. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $25 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Pasadena? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Pasadena include:
- The Westin Pasadena starting at $188
- Vagabond Inn Executive Pasadena starting at $163
- Astro Pasadena Hotel starting at $171
If you want to save on accommodation in Pasadena, it has a good public transit system makes it possible to stay further out. However, your transportation costs and time spent commuting will increase.
If you plan your trip for the shoulder or low season and avoid summer, you'll enjoy reduced accommodation costs and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Pasadena
With a good public transit network in Pasadena, many of the main sights are easy to reach. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles. Public transit is a great way to save some cash and get around, but only if it's close to your destination. Taxis and rideshares are available, too.
Exploring Pasadena is easier in its more walkable areas, allowing you to see many attractions. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.
Public Transit: 
(good)
Walkability: (good)
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $21 per person, per day, on local transportation in Pasadena. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Pasadena is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$21
When driving, confirm that your hotel has convenient parking options.
How much does it cost to go to Pasadena? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Pasadena will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Pasadena
In Pasadena, the food is fantastic, and you should definitely take the opportunity to enjoy all the local flavors. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Pasadena can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Pasadena is $32 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$32
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Pasadena is around $32 ($32) per person, with previous travelers spending from $24 to $47. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Pasadena are as follows:
- Breakfast: $3 to $10
- Lunch: $5 to $13
- Dinner: $10 to $23
- Coffee: $3
- Fast Food or Street Food: $5
Restaurants in town are generally quite good. The area is famous for delicious Mexican food. Some popular Mexican restaurants include Mijares Mexican Restaurant and El Taquito Mexicano Truck. In-N-Out Burgers is also a regional favorite. It's a fast food burger joint that many locals claim is the absolute best. It's also a good option if you're on a tight budget. Sushi is also excellent in Pasadena and you'll find no shortage of Japanese restaurants around town.
Hotels in Pasadena can vary dramatically in price. If you stay on the outskirts of town you'll likely save some money but the inconvenience is rarely worth the savings. If you find yourself in town during the Rose Bowl Parade don't be surprised when prices skyrocket. Reservations are required well in advance and you're likely to pay far more than you would on a typical weekend night.
Many hotels provide breakfast at no additional cost, while others charge extra. The quality and price can vary widely from hotel to hotel. Knowing this ahead of time can help you decide if you should budget more. You might find the hotel's buffet is a worthwhile investment, or perhaps a nearby bakery or cafe could be a cheaper alternative.
Instead of buying drinks, carry a water bottle with you. It's also a good choice for the planet.
Thinking about a tour? Check which meals are included beforehand. You might need to budget for some meals on your own, which can add to your expenses.
Listed below are typical food prices in Pasadena, based on the actual spending of previous travelers. These figures provide an estimate of what you might expect to pay for meals. However, your personal expenses will depend on your dining preferences, the restaurants you choose, and what you decide to order.
Pasadena, CA
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.