Attending the Kentucky Derby is a bucket list item for many, and for good reason. The race itself may only last two minutes, but race day is a party at Churchill Downs.
Churchill Downs' proximity to a major city — and airport — makes it accessible. More than 150,000 fans routinely enter the gates in Louisville on the first Saturday each May, meaning celebrities aren't the only ones who get to see horse racing's biggest annual event.
If you're looking to make the trip to the Kentucky Derby at some point, here's what you need to know to make it happen.
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Kentucky Derby trip cost breakdown
Residents of Louisville or the surrounding area have a natural advantage in attending the Kentucky Derby simply because they don't have to pay for a hotel or plane tickets. Those coming from far away have to account for travel costs in addition to Kentucky Derby tickets.
Using the starting point of $160 for general admission tickets to derby day, even just a one-night trip to the event can cost close to $1,000 if coming to Louisville by plane.
Because flights are added to accommodate the increase in travelers, flight prices aren't so bad if traveling to Louisville from a major hub. Let's say a round-trip flight is $300. That brings the total cost of the experience to $460 before hotel cost is included.
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Airlines can add flights, but hotels can't add space. Because there are a fixed number of hotel rooms in and around the city, hotels (and AirBNBs) can become quite expensive. Let's say a one-night stay is $500, which might be extremely generous, depending on when and where you book. That would take the trip to $960.
For someone with some money to throw around and a lifelong wish to watch the Kentucky Derby in-person, that might very well be worthwhile. It's worth keeping in mind that's close to the minimum, however. All of those variables — derby tickets, plane tickets and hotel reservations — might be more expensive, and that doesn't even account for food costs or other on-the-ground expenses.
Kentucky Derby ticket prices
Kentucky Derby tickets vary in price because of the many different seating (or standing) options at Churchill Downs. In 2025, reserved seating started at $705 while standing room only or general admission tickets started at $160.
Tickets are also available on resale sites, with the price varying by seller.
More than 150,000 fans have attended the Kentucky Derby each year since 2005, with the exception of two years at limited capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the capacity is higher than the vast majority of sporting events in the United States. Even the nation's largest football stadium, Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, seats less than 108,000.
MORE: How much are tickets for the 2025 Kentucky Derby?
The caveat is that not everyone at Churchill Downs is actually seated. General admission tickets for the infield are the cheapest way to get in, but the view of the race itself is not considered to be very good. Between the massive video board installed in 2014 and the fanfare of just being at the derby, however, many still see infield tickets as worthwhile.
Churchill Downs also has various box seats in addition to the grandstands, but all start at more than $1,000, according to The Courier-Journal.
Kentucky Derby ticket prices history
Ticket prices when the Kentucky Derby started in 1875 were "as little as a dollar," according to The Courier-Journal. An estimated 10,000 fans attended the inaugural Kentucky Derby, perhaps hinting at the kind of spectacle it would become.
As the race has grown in popularity, so have the prices.
By 2012, the price for a walk-up ticket increased from $40 to $50, with the average ticket price considerably higher. As of 2025, the general admission price starts at $160.
The average resale ticket price also tripled from 2014 to 2025, ballooning from $378 to $1,254. The large capacity of Churchill Downs means there are plenty of resale tickets available, but the demand is so high that the prices are extreme.
Hotels near Churchill Downs
Because Churchill Downs is so close to the airport in Louisville, there are plenty of nearby hotels. That doesn't mean they don't quickly fill up, or at least have sky-high prices around the Kentucky Derby.
For those hoping to stay nearby, there are six hotels located just past the north end of the airport: Residence Inn Louisville Airport, Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport, Courtyard Louisville Airport, Tru by Hilton Louisville Airport, SpringHill Suites Louisville Airport and Comfort Inn & Suites Airport and Expo.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Louisville Airport and Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Airport are just to the north and neighbor Churchill Downs.
MORE: Where is Churchill Downs? Location, capacity and more Kentucky Derby track details
Four hotels are also just south of the airport: Comfort Suites Louisville Airport, TownePlace Suites Louisville Airport, Holiday Inn and Days Inn by Wyndham Louisville Airport Fair and Expo Center.
More hotels are located in the heart of Louisville, which is north of Churchill Downs. Any hotels further away from the area surrounding Churchill Downs may be cheaper on Kentucky Derby weekend, which sees thousands of tourists come into the city.
How much do Kentucky Derby flights cost?
Fortunately, airlines know there is going to be an increased travel demand for the Kentucky Derby each year and typically add flights to and from Louisville. That doesn't mean flights are cheap, but the increased availability makes them much more practical.
The cost of booking a round-trip ticket depends largely on where you're flying from and how early you book. In the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby, connecting flights from New York are still available at less than $300. Direct flights from major hubs such as New York, Chicago or Los Angeles are more likely in the $600-900 range, though that kind of price could be avoided by booking well in advance.
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Kentucky Derby fashion at Churchill Downs
Kentucky Derby day is often just as much about fashion as it is about horses. Here's a look at some of the different types of fashion statements you may see each year.
Kentucky Derby hats
The Kentucky Derby crowd is filled with hats, hats and more hats. Both men and women tend to wear stylish hats at Churchill Downs, though women's hats certainly attract more attention due to their size and vibrancy.
MORE: Kentucky Derby hats at Churchill Downs, from fascinators to DIY
There are no rules regarding hats at Churchill Downs, but men can often be seen wearing simpler hats such as a boater hat or fedora, while women often wear large sunhats with fascinators, or large, flowery attachments, that enhance the look.
Custom Kentucky Derby hats can range from $400-600, making them a more expensive accessory than even some of the tickets just to get into Churchill Downs, but making your own hat by buying a cheaper fascinator or even making one on your own and attaching it to a hat can save money.
Kentucky Derby dresses
Similar to hats, there are no rules regarding dresses at the Kentucky Derby, but many women choose to go with a unique, colorful look to match their hats. Kentucky Derby dresses tend to be light-colored and vibrant, matching the spring aesthetic of the early May race.
While the dresses worn by celebrities and some other fans at the Kentucky Derby may be pricey, to put it mildly, NBC News found bright, flowery dresses as low as $40-60 on Amazon.
Kentucky Derby suits
Men can be colorful too on Kentucky Derby day, as many choose to wear light-colored seersucker suits that fit the aesthetic of the day. The fashion of high-profile attendees, including athletes, never goes unnoticed. In 2024, NFL tight end Travis Kelce showed up in a light-gray suit with subtle pinstripes.
Suits aren't cheap, but they don't have to be overly expensive. Men's Wearhouse lists some seersucker suits under their Kentucky Derby section for as low as $83.99, with most suits ranging between $100-200.
Food and drink costs at Churchill Downs
As of 2025, all premium cocktails are at least $19 at Churchill Downs, with specialty cocktails reaching as high as $22. Premium beers cost $14, while even bottled water went for $5.
Food prices are not as well known, but you can safely assume the food isn't cheap if the drinks are so pricey.
MORE: Complete list of all-time race champions, records, Triple Crown horses
Kentucky Derby mint juleps
Mint Juleps cost $22 at the 2024 Kentucky Derby, so it getting your hands on Churchill Downs' signature drink isn't so easy after spending all of that money on tickets and travel prices.
Mint Juleps have been part of Kentucky Derby tradition since the 1930s, though the drink has been affiliated with horseracing even longer. A bourbon-based drink, Mint Juleps are only made with a few ingredients, including a syrup and mint leaves. They are served with either crushed or shaved ice.
MORE: Everything to know about Kentucky Derby mint juleps
Parking costs at Churchill Downs
Parking sells out quickly at Churchill Downs because of the limited space, but the Kentucky Derby site lists parking available on race day at nearby L&N Stadium for $40 for a car or $200 for a bus.
Some local residents also sell parking spaces in front of their homes due to the high demand for spots.
Kentucky Derby nearby attractions
The Kentucky Derby Museum is on site at Churchill Downs, making it a must-stop attraction for anyone interested in the history of the race and the iconic venue.
If you are staying multiple days in Louisville, there is plenty to see outside of the Kentucky Derby. The Louisville Zoo is just to the west of Churchill Downs and the airport, while the Louisville Slugger Museum is downtown, north of Churchill Downs, for those interested in the history of the company's baseball bat production.
Louisville also has the Muhammad Ali Center, a museum dedicated to the life of the legendary boxer, downtown near the shore of the Ohio River.
Kentucky Derby budget tips
Unless you live near Louisville, the Kentucky Derby probably isn't best served as a last-minute trip. Booking flights and hotels well in advance of race day helps keep costs as low as possible, though prices could still be elevated because airlines and hotels already know which day the derby will be each year.
The glitz and glamour of the grandstands and boxes at Churchill Downs are exciting, but the price for those tickets is often quadruple or more than the price of general admission tickets. While standing on the infield might not give you the best view, it does give you a great experience at a fraction of the cost. The race is only two minutes, after all. What could be better than standing in the center of iconic Churchill Downs as the anticipation builds?
Kentucky Derby trip total cost
Here's what a Kentucky Derby trip could cost in total, at the minimum or near-minimum prices:
- General admission ticket: $160
- Hotel reservation: $500 (one night)
- Plane ticket: $300
- Food and drink: $60
- Dress/suit: $50-125
- Parking/rideshare: $40
The total adds up to $1,110, even keeping the near-minimum cost in mind for each activity. Coming to the Kentucky Derby from out of town certainly isn't easy, but there are plenty of ways to keep costs as low as possible if you are trying to knock the derby off your bucket list.