Yahoo Sports How Much Money Does It Cost To Attend the Kentucky Derby?
For horse racing fans, the Kentucky Derby — often dubbed “the most exciting two minutes in sports” — is the event of the year. The 149th edition, on the hallowed grounds of Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, is set for May 6, with more than 150,000 people expected to attend.
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It’s on your bucket list, so why not this year? It isn’t too late to plan a last-minute trip to Louisville, and the cost will depend on the type of experience you want. You can spend conservatively, like a person who won’t bet more than $2 on the race, or go all out like a high roller. Or somewhere in the middle.
With those parameters in mind, GOBankingRates figured out just what you might spend on a last-minute trip to attend the Derby, and even the Kentucky Oaks the day before. To determine the cost of travel, we selected Chicago as the point of origin, then researched everything from the price of lodging to admission to the ever-important apparel to come up with estimated costs.
Here’s what a trip to the Kentucky Derby would cost.
Travel
It’s 325 miles from O’Hare International Airport in Chicago to Churchill Downs in Louisville.
$2 Bettor: Driving there will take about 5½ hours. If your car gets 30 miles to a gallon and at a national average gas price of $3.61 per gallon, you can drive for about $40 each way. Set aside some money for tolls, too.
The Mid Stretch: Round-trip airfare that will get you there in time for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks starts at $286. Add a full-size car rental for $180.
The High Roller: Sentient Jet is the “preferred private aviation partner” of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs. It offers all-inclusive pricing and 25 hours of flying, no matter your starting destination. The company guarantees availability with 24 hours’ notice. Price is quoted directly to the consumer, but you can imagine.
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Lodging
Hotel rooms — and prices — are at a premium during Derby week, but GOBankingRates found these options on Hotels.com.
$2 Bettor: Extended Stay America Select Suites at the Louisville Airport have rooms starting at $210 per night — and it’s only a 10-minute drive to the Kentucky Exposition Center and Churchill Downs.
The Mid Stretch: Book the whole Derby weekend in your very own apartment for $1,306 total with FRONTDESK Myers Medical Lofts Downtown Louisville. If you’re inclined, walk to the track to save the hassle — and cost — of parking.
The High Roller: A one-bedroom suite at Hilton Garden Inn at the Louisville Airport is going for roughly $1,500 a night, but hurry up since these top-tier rooms are sure to sell out as the Derby approaches its starting line date.
Admission
You can experience the Derby in a variety of ways, grabbing everything from a piece of turf on the grounds (without a track view) to a luxury box. Here are some of your options.
$2 Bettor: A general admission ticket will get you into Churchill Downs. On race day, it’s $82 or $87 if you purchase a resale ticket. Bring a chair or sit on a blanket and watch the race on the humongous 4K video board. To save money, carry in a boxed lunch or food items in clear plastic bags or containers no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches — limit one per attendee. You also may bring up to 24 ounces of water in unopened plastic bottles.
The Mid Stretch: Buy infield, uncovered reserved bleacher seating, which gives you access to the front side of the racetrack and the paddock areas. The $620 starting resale cost includes admission for both race days, as well as food and beverages.
The High Roller: Premium seating comes with “boxes overlooking the finish line,” with heart-pumping sights of races and “some of the finest amenities in all of professional sports,” according to the Kentucky Derby’s website. Six seats come in a premium box with the starting price at $5,700 per box. If you want premium indoor dining, tables with up to eight seats start at $3,610 per seat.
Parking
All on-site parking at Churchill Downs is reserved during Derby week and spots are no longer available to purchase.
$2 Bettor: TARC — the Transit Authority of River City — will provide public transportation to the Kentucky Derby. Single fares (not including transfers) cost $1.75. Schedule information is available on the website.
The Mid Stretch: The L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium provides parking on Friday and Saturday. Ticket holders to the Derby can park their car and walkover to Churchill Downs for $40 for a car or truck; $150 an RV or similar; and $200 for a bus.
High Roller: Have someone drop you off, but you’ll need to pre-purchase a pass for the Derby Drive Drop-off zone. Passes cost $100 per car and are good for both the Kentucky Oaks and Derby days.
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Fashion
The Kentucky Derby is as much a fashion show as it is a horse race. The Derby’s website recommends spring colors. For the men, it says, “sun-drenched, tropical colors in bold stripes or busy plaid and bright pastels steal the limelight. Although, if you want a more polished look, a classic navy or seersucker blazer is always in style.” For the women: “Spring dresses, pastel-colored suits or bold separates that coordinate with their Derby headwear and accessories.”
$2 Bettor: If you’re sitting on your blanket in the general admission section, you won’t exactly see and be seen. Wear something comfortable from your closet. While Churchill Downs doesn’t have a dress code, the track also reserves the right to ask you to leave if you’re wearing something inappropriate.
The Mid Stretch: The website Rent the Runway has a section devoted to Kentucky Derby attire, allowing a woman to wear a dress she otherwise wouldn’t buy. Rent a pink and white Tula sundress from Amanda Uprichard for $30. Personalize the outfit with a hat — a Derby trademark — from an official milliner of the race.
The High Roller: The sky’s the limit for the cost of Derby attire, though the Courier Journal in Louisville took a stab a few years ago at what the well-appointed woman might wear and what the ensemble might cost. It started with a Monique Lhuillier tea-length dress, accessorized by a Jacquie Aiche necklace, a clutch from Jimmy Choo, Jamie Wolf earrings, Christian Louboutin pumps and a pair of Chanel sunglasses. The total? $21,690.
And that doesn’t include the price of a hat. If you require any additional assistance for your wardrobe needs, the Kentucky Derby website is happy to provide you with some options and style guides.
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Jake Arky contributed to the reporting for this article.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much Money Does It Cost To Attend the Kentucky Derby?
