Is British Columbia Expensive?

Is British Columbia expensive to visit?

While British Columbia is a popular destination, it is also very affordable and not expensive to visit. The average daily cost is just $173770. This is actually one of the main reasons why it's so popular with tourists. When compared to other cities in North America, which is known to be an expensive region, many travelers find it to be a very affordable destination. It's in the top 10% of destinations in North America for its affordability, and our cost analysis found it to be comparable to 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 $196
Vancouver $165


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 $173770 (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 $521,309 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $1,042,618.

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

On average, a one week trip to British Columbia costs about $1,216,388 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 $2,432,775.



Victoria, B.C., Canada

Is it expensive to backpack in British Columbia?

British Columbia is often overlooked by backpackers, as there is a very limited selection of hostels. Because there aren't any hostels and few other amenities that cater to backpackers, prices might be higher than you'd expect. This is particularly true for solo travelers who many have to pay the full cost for a hotel room. To save money, look for budget hotels in convenient locations.

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 $11,095 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $24.

  • Adrenaline Canyoning Tour Kelowna - Falls, Rappelling & Adventure: $160
  • People Water Land- Indigenous Cultural and Wildlife Tour: $276
  • Okanagan Lake Sailing Tour from Penticton & Naramata BC: $181
  • Private Kelowna Sailing Cruise on Okanagan Lake: $119
  • Vancouver Foodie Tour: The Ultimate Asian Food Adventure Tour: $135
  • Mountain Breeze Tour - Mountain E Bike - Whistler Marmot Activity: $133
  • Vancouver tours and sightseeing.Explore the city with ease: $270
  • Ice Fishing Adventure in Whistler: $159

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 $63,025 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $62. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

  • Vancouver Chinatown Tour and Dumpling-Making Cooking Class: $135
  • Kelowna Top 5 Food Tour with Drinks: $86
  • Kelowna: #1 Rated Walking Food Tour with 7 Tastings and 4 Drinks: $87
  • Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $93
  • Whistler's Finer Things: 4-Course Dinner & Champagne Sabering: $157
  • A Wok Around Granville Island Public Market Food Tour: $108

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 $12,948 on local transportation per person per day, which is more 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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