Is British Columbia Expensive?

Is British Columbia expensive to visit?

British Columbia is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $139. Compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in North America for its travel costs, comparable to places like other cities in the country.

British Columbia has popular destinations that attract plenty of visitors. One of the most expensive places to visit is Victoria. For more affordability, you can visit Vancouver.


Average daily price of selected cities in British Columbia, by affordability
City Average Daily Cost
Victoria $183
Vancouver $141


Vancouver Skyline at Night

How expensive is British Columbia?

The average cost of traveling to British Columbia can vary widely based on many factors, but our calculations based on previous travlers show that the average daily cost is $139 (U.S. Dollars). Your travel style, accommodation preferences, dining choices, and trip duration can alter your individual budget, as you can find a wide array of accommodation, food, and entertainment options available for your visit. Sticking to mid-range hotels, affordable restaurants, and public transit when available can keep your costs close to this calculated average. See more travel costs for British Columbia here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to British Columbia?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a weekend trip to British Columbia will cost around $416 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $832.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to British Columbia?

On average, a one week trip to British Columbia costs about $970 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,941.



Victoria, B.C., Canada

Is it expensive to backpack in British Columbia?

British Columbia is a fairly common backpacker destination with more than 6 hostels in the area. Dorm beds in hostels average about $578 per night. Keep in mind that you'll find a wide range in prices here, too.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in British Columbia.

  • $33 for a dorm bed at HI Vancouver Downtown
  • $23 for a dorm bed at Ocean Island Inn | Backpackers | Suites

Where to find affordable hostels in British Columbia
City Number of Hostels Average Price for a Dorm
Vancouver 5 $25

How expensive are sightseeing activities in British Columbia?

Activities and things to do in British Columbia can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $43 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $24.

    • The Really Gay History Tour in Vancouver, Canada: $28
    • Fishing Adventure in Whistler: $141
    • Downtown Vancouver History And Treats Tour With VIP Access: $70
    • West Kelowna 5 Hour 5 winery Tour: $179
    • Vancouver Bike Tour - Stanley Park & the World-Famous Seawall: $77
    • Craft Beer Revolution and Tasting Tour: $55
    • Sailing Adventure on Okanagan Lake from Penticton & Naramata BC: $151
    • 6 hour Zodiac Whale Watching Tour: $230

    Is food expensive in British Columbia?

    Food in British Columbia can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $32 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $38. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

    • Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $100
    • Kelowna Top 5 Food Tour with Drinks: $89
    • Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
    • Kelowna: #1 Rated Walking Food Tour with 7 Tastings and Drinks: $74
    • Bowen Island Dinner and Zodiac Boat Tour by Vancouver Water Adventures: $163
    • VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138

    Is transportation expensive in British Columbia?

    The prices of local transportation in British Columbia can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $20 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $22. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    More for British Columbia

    If you're planning a trip to British Columbia, British Columbia, check out these other informative travel guides.



    We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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