Idaho

Outdoor Paradise with Scenic Beauty

Idaho features mountain ranges, rivers and wide open spaces that shape daily life across its communities. The state’s high desert stretches between the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Pacific Northwest forests to the west. Farms produce potatoes, barley and other crops along fertile valleys while small towns preserve local traditions through festivals and markets. Outdoor activities like hiking, fishing and skiing draw visitors year-round. Idaho balances rural charm with growing urban centers where culture and technology connect without losing its natural character.

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State/Prefecture in United States

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.1

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	9

Read details

5/5

English is spoken everywhere and is the primary language, with good communication skills among residents and tourism providers. Spanish is spoken by some communities.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Idaho Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Great for wilderness and outdoor adventure. Hike mountain trails, raft wild rivers, ski in winter resorts and explore vast forests and lakes.

Place score

7.3

Best at:

Lakes

Van travel

Mountains

Snow

Rivers

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 7

Couples

🛡️ 6

Travel Beginners

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Idaho, United States

❄️

Jan

🌨️

Feb

❄️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

❄️

Nov

🌨️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - March, June - Aug., Dec.
Shoulder season:	May, Sep. - Oct.
Crowdedness:	4 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Climate and season vary by region: central and northern mountains best for skiing December to March and for hiking and rafting June to September, southern desert areas best for sightseeing in spring and autumn

Mountain passes and many high-country roads, such as around Sawtooth and Craters of the Moon, are often closed by snow November to May

Wildfire smoke is common from July to September, especially in the central and northern mountains

Don't miss

🏔️ Hike the majestic Sawtooth Mountains and enjoy panoramic views
💦 Visit Shoshone Falls, higher than Niagara, and take in the power
🌋 Explore the Craters of the Moon volcanic landscape
🏚️ Discover historic Silver Valley mining towns and ghost towns
🚤 Relax at Lake Coeur d’Alene with boating and lakeside walks
🪨 Experience the breathtaking vistas from City of Rocks

You've been here?

Why travel to Idaho?

Traveling to Idaho means immersing yourself in vast outdoor playgrounds with activities like hiking, fishing and skiing. The state is home to Yellowstone’s lesser-known southern entrance, spectacular hot springs and the renowned Sun Valley ski resort. Idaho’s laid-back charm and scenic beauty make it ideal for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Some visitors may find travel challenging due to the state’s vastness and fewer urban amenities outside major cities. Winters can be harsh with heavy snow in mountainous areas, requiring preparation.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Yellowstone National Park
A vast, rugged landscape in the American West features geysers, hot springs and dramatic canyons. The park spans over two million acres of diverse terrain, offering wildlife viewing, hiking trails and iconic natural wonders that define the region's wilderness.
2 Boise
The capital sits on the banks of the Boise River, surrounded by foothills and a growing arts scene. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy nearby mountains, lakes and trails, while the city offers diverse dining, museums and festivals.
3 Craters of the Moon National Monument
This vast, otherworldly landscape features deep craters and ancient lava flows under a brilliant sky. The monument preserves geological history within a remote desert setting, offering unique hiking trails and panoramic views of the cratered terrain that feels like standing on another planet.
4 Sun Valley
A premier winter sports resort nestled in Idaho's mountains, offering expansive ski terrain, world-class après-ski culture and stunning alpine scenery that draws visitors from around the globe seeking exceptional mountain experiences.

🎡Places for activities

1 Sacajawea Interpretive Center

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Shoshone Falls
A stunning waterfall in Shoshone Falls, Idaho, draws visitors to its powerful cascade and scenic surroundings. The area offers peaceful trails and breathtaking views of nature's grandeur for those seeking tranquility away from crowds.
2 Salmon River Fly Box

🎈Events

Boise Music Festival
Sun Valley Film Festival
Idaho Potato Festival
Trails and Rails Bicycle Race
Bonner County Fair
Western Idaho Fair
Shoshone Bannock Festival
St. Regis Art Festival
Eagle Fun Days
Redfish Derby

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Knowledge before you go

Pack layered clothing; Idaho’s weather varies dramatically across elevations.
Reserve lodging early during summer and winter sports seasons, as popular resorts fill quickly.
Use the state’s free public transportation routes for scenic drives between major attractions.
Explore local craft breweries in Boise to experience regional hops varieties and meet community brewers.

How to travel to Idaho

Boise Airport is the primary gateway with domestic flights from major U.S. cities. Other regional airports include Coeur d'Alene and Twin Falls. Interstate highways connect major cities and tourist destinations.

Access summary

From Boise Airport (BOI): Taxi, rideshare or shuttle to downtown, 10–15 min.
From Salt Lake City: Drive I‑84 to Boise about 5 hours by car.
From Spokane: Drive I‑90/I‑95 corridor to northern Idaho resorts, 1–2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Idaho

Idaho offers a range from luxury resorts and ski lodges to rustic cabins and campgrounds. Cities like Boise provide modern hotels, while mountain towns offer cozy inns and chalets.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bozeman

8.3

Ramada by Wyndham Boise

6.7

Crosswinds Inn

9.0

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls

9.1

Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Boise

6.8

Oxford Suites Boise

9.3

SilverStone Inn and Suites

7.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Idaho

Renting a car is recommended to explore Idaho's dispersed natural attractions. Boise has public bus services, but other areas have limited public transport. Roads can be winding and snow-covered in mountainous winters.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-13 %

Daily expenses in Idaho are around 13% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£62	£128	£330
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£28	£59	£120
🍝 Food per day	£29	£63	£182
🚕 Transportation per day	£5	£6	£27

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£23
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£13
🍟 Fast food combo	£8
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£10.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.30

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.25
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£16
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.65

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£10
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£70
🤧 Cold medication	£5
💇 Basic haircut	£18

Safety information overview

General safety

Idaho is generally very safe for travelers with low crime levels. Outdoors activities require awareness of wildlife and weather conditions for safety.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are available mainly in urban areas, with hospitals offering emergency care. Rural regions may have limited medical access requiring planning.

Accessibility

Many urban and sightseeing spots offer accessible facilities, but some natural parks have rugged terrain that limits mobility options.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and clean across Idaho, including urban and rural areas. Bottled water is also available and recommended for outdoor activities.