Mountain town in Colorado, United States
Vail
Colorado's biggest ski resort town, with a pedestrian village, huge terrain and a free bus system. Very expensive and quiet outside ski season; best for a ski trip or summer hiking, not budget solo stays.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$5,500–8,000Comfortable, one person · $5,500–8,000Details
- Value for money2/100Better value than 1% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJan–Mar, Jul–AugWarmest: Jul, 26°CDetails
- Internet307 MbpsFixed broadband, United States medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe and clean.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$200–400Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless accepted almost everywhere; carry small cash for tips.Details
Where to stay in Vail
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Vail Village | Pedestrian core: restaurants, lifts and walkable ski access |
| Lionshead Village | Gondola base, slightly cheaper and just as central |
| West Vail | Supermarkets, cheaper rooms and local bars along Frontage Road |
| Golden Peak | Quieter base near Vail's racing slopes |
Apps that work in Vail
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| DoorDash | Limited restaurants in Vail and West Vail |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: iMessage/SMS
- Transit: real-time public transport in most cities
- OpenTable: restaurant reservations
- Taxis: Free town buses beat rideshare in the villages. Pre-book airport transfers; taxis are more reliable than apps.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in United States.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless accepted almost everywhere; carry small cash for tips.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs charge foreign cards about US$3–5; standalone ATMs in shops often more. Decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Expected: 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, 15–20% for taxis and rideshare, US$1–2 per bar drink, US$2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. Venmo, Cash App and Zelle generally need a US bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa Waiver travellers need an approved ESTA (US$40) before departure; apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, ideally 72+ hours ahead.
- CBP has proposed making five years of social-media identifiers mandatory on ESTA; check the form's current questions and answer truthfully.
- Presidential proclamations since June 2025 restrict entry for nationals of a growing list of countries; check travel.state.gov before booking.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs at carrier stores, Walmart and Target, roughly US$25–50 for 30 days; no ID usually needed. A travel eSIM is easiest. eSIMs work for visitors.
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.