Is Vancouver Expensive?

Is Vancouver expensive to visit?

Vancouver is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $141. If we compare it to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It ranks in the top 50% of cities in North America for its travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Cabo San Lucas and Cancun.

Vancouver Skyline at Night

How expensive is Vancouver?

For a trip to Vancouver, travelers spend on average $141 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Vancouver here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.

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

On average, a weekend trip to Vancouver costs about $423 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 weekend trip costs $845.

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

A one week trip to Vancouver costs about $986 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,972.

Is it expensive to backpack in Vancouver?

With more than 5 hostels in the area, Vancouver is a fairly popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $25 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Vancouver here.) There's a wide range in prices for beds, as the cheapest hostels cost $17, but the most expensive can be more than $34 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Vancouver.

• $34 for a dorm bed at HI Vancouver Downtown
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• $22 for a dorm bed at Cambie Hostel - Seymour
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• $31 for a dorm bed at HI Vancouver Jericho Beach
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Are hotels expensive in Vancouver?

Examining hotel prices in Vancouver, we can see that they are moderately priced when compared to hotels in other cities. The average cost for a night in a hotel room is approximately $160. The city is equipped with about 6 five-star hotels, boasting an average nightly rate of $272. For travelers aiming for a comfortable yet budget-conscious stay, three-star hotels come in at an average of $142 per night, while two-star hotels offer a more pocket-friendly choice at $112 per night.

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Vancouver?

In Vancouver, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $36 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $24.

• The Really Gay History Tour in Vancouver, Canada: $28
• Vancouver Hidden History and Sweet Treats Tour: $70
• Sailing Experience on a 50’ sailboat: $131
• Morning Kayak & Seal Cruise: $90
• Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.72
• Vancouver Superhero Outdoor Game and Sightseeing: $32
• Husky Hikes Private Mountain Tours: $67
• Sunshine Coast Escape (Around Vancouver) Small Group Tour: $146

Is food expensive in Vancouver?

In Vancouver, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $31 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $38.

• Downtown Vancouver Asian Eats - Walking Food Tour: $138
• Granville Island Uncorked Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $156
• 4-Hour Bowen Island Festival of Lights Boat Tour with Dinner from Vancouver: $193
• Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $93
• Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
• Bowen Island Dinner and Zodiac Boat Tour by Vancouver Water Adventures: $164

Is transportation expensive in Vancouver?

Local transportation in Vancouver can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $12 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 Vancouver

If you're planning a trip to Vancouver, 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.