Visiting the Tucson Festival of Books with Travel Expenses in Mind

The Tucson Festival of Books is about to take place on March 14-15 at the University of Arizona, great news for all literature buffs and those interested in new editions and trends. It has taken place since 2009 and is free for the public to attend, offering visitors the possibility to meet dozens of authors.

It is an exciting opportunity for the literary community in the South-West as well as across the country. The city itself is a popular travel destination, and there is always a lot happening. Music festivals, hiking, themed parties, and museum installations — there is a lot to see there.

Tucson as a Tourist Destination

Apart from this one particular event, there is lots to do in Tucson. It is located in a mountain valley, and many activities in Tucson are outdoors. You can go biking or hiking, play golf, tennis, or pickleball, maybe try climbing, visit fitness and wellness centers, or simply relax at the hotel with a colorful view.

Tucson has a population of about a million people, and it combines modern city comforts with a strong sense of local history and culture. It is a resort known for cultural activities, especially music festivals and ethnic exhibitions.

From a practical side, travelling to such a crowded location incurs additional expenses, so you should plan before going.

Expenses During the Trip and at the Festival

Even though the Festival is free to attend, some expenses are naturally required to get there and spend 2 days there. There is a comprehensive guide on its website for getting to the city and around it. Other attractions like music events, exhibitions, desert travel destinations, and many more are also listed for you to pick from, alongside visiting the book fair.

First of all, if you are travelling from out of state for the Festival, some gas will be needed depending on the distance. You could also find a bus there, or fly in from many places to Tucson International Airport.

As for transportation within the city, there are multiple ways to get around Tucson. While rental cars are widely available around the city, many visitors rely on public and shared options. The four-mile Sun Link Streetcar connects the University of Arizona, where the Book Festival venue is held, with downtown districts like Fourth Avenue, Congress Street, and Mercado San Agustin, and it’s currently free of charge. The city also offers buses with more than 40 routes, including express lines, which are also fare-free. For shorter trips, taxis, ride-sharing apps, shuttles, and charter services are widely used, and in central areas, many places are walkable. If you do decide to use taxis or rentals, you want to have a couple of hundred dollars for them. Otherwise, transportation is free.

Expected expenses also include accommodation costs for a hotel or short-term rental during the event, along with taxes and service fees. The average hotel room cost is $200, and you can find an even cheaper Airbnb.

Daily food expenses covering breakfasts, lunches, dinners, coffee, drinks, and snacks can be as low as $50, but visiting local restaurants with an exquisite menu can cost $100 or more.

Book purchases may be the main expense if you plan to do it on the spot. Signed editions from authors are a joy for fans, so if that’s what you're gunning for, you already know the ballpark amount. In case you are not sure what you would like to buy, having some spare money for at least one book is highly recommended, so you do not miss out on a gem. Finally, you may want to compile a list of books you would like to order later.

Planning for Travelling to the Festival

Thus, even though the Tucson Festival of Books is free, everyone attending better come prepared if they want to have a great experience overall. Because the city itself is a bustling tourist destination in a picturesque location, prices for a place to stay and even food should generally be higher than usual. Then again, you would not want to miss any other interesting activities between visiting the Book fair or after.

So, you might want to have $500–$1000 saved up for this occasion, just to be sure, plus any amount you need for purchasing books on the spot. If you do not have it on hand,covering book-festival travel expenses with a short-term loan is worth it. You do not want to miss this literary event as a person invested in literature and following the events with the best and newest authors attending. Since the event itself is free to attend, getting the value from it and the experience of participating with your community is well worth it.