A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Adirondack Mountains vs. Vancouver for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Adirondack Mountains or Vancouver?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Adirondack Mountains or Vancouver? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Adirondack Mountains or Vancouver?

Adirondack Mountains

Located in northeast New York State, the Adirondacks attract a large number of outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. It's the largest and first government protected park in the contiguous United States, and it's a popular year round destination for hiking, rock climbing, skiing, and more. The area covers about 5,000 square miles and is home to more than 200 lakes.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Adirondack Mountains?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Adirondack Mountains is $166, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $141. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Adirondack Mountains and Vancouver in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Adirondack Mountains $97
    Vancouver $87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Adirondack Mountains $194
    Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Adirondack Mountains and Vancouver

Looking for a hotel in Adirondack Mountains or Vancouver? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Adirondack Mountains


Hotels in Vancouver


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Vancouver Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Adirondack Mountains $33
    Vancouver $12

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:


  • SkyTrain from Airport
    $6.35
  • Taxi from Airport to Downtown
    $21
  • 15 min Taxi Ride
    $8.71
  • SkyTrain DayPass
    $6.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver

Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
  • Vancouver Airport-Cypress/Grouse Mountain Private Transfer: $38
  • Vancouver Airport (YVR) to White Rock - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
  • White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
  • Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
  • Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Canada Place Port - Arrival Transfer: $55
  • City Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $61
  • Vancouver to Victoria: Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
  • Vancouver to Victoria, Coach Bus Transfer: $74
  • Private Transfer from Canada Place Cruise Terminal to any Hotel: $74
  • Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Whistler - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
  • Vancouver to Victoria - Vancouver Hotel Pickup - Coach Bus Transfer: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Adirondack Mountains or Vancouver?

Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Adirondack Mountains change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Adirondack Mountains $49
    Vancouver $31

Typical Food Prices in Vancouver

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:


  • All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch
    $8.80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver

For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
  • The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $85
  • Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
  • Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
  • North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
  • Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
  • VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138
  • Authentic Asian Eats Walking Food Tour: $142
  • 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner: $153
  • Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
  • Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161
  • Bowen Island Dinner and Zodiac Boat Tour by Vancouver Water Adventures: $163

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Adirondack Mountains $17
    Vancouver $36

Tours and Activities in Vancouver

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.

  • Vancouver self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.28
  • Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.74
  • Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.82
  • Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • Fort Langley: a Film & Television Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
  • Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.19
  • Cycling the Seawall: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Along the Stanley Park Seawall: $5.46
  • Historic Walking Tours of Vancouver with Then & Now Images!: $6.68
  • Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.68
  • Vancouver Downtown: Espionage Adventure Outdoor Escape Game: $6.94
  • Self-Guided Smartphone Tour of Stanley Park: $7.30
  • Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Adirondack Mountains $19
    Vancouver $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:

  • Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl ROUTE B: $18
  • Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
  • Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl: $26
  • 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $84
  • Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
  • Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $134
  • From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $138
  • Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
  • Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $164
  • Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
  • Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167
  • Full-Day Private Fraser Valley Wine Tour from Vancouver: $189


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Adirondack Mountains and Vancouver, we can see that Adirondack Mountains is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vancouver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vancouver and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Adirondack Mountains would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Adirondack Mountains than you might in Vancouver.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Adirondack Mountains Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Adirondack Mountains or Vancouver?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Adirondack Mountains or Vancouver in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Adirondack Mountains as well as Vancouver. Most visitors come to Adirondack Mountains for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Adirondack Mountains is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Adirondack Mountains average around 71°F (22°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Adirondack Mountains this time of the year. In the summer, Adirondack Mountains often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Adirondack Mountains gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.

Adirondack Mountains usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Adirondack Mountains gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Adirondack Mountains 71°F (22°C) 
    Vancouver 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Adirondack Mountains or Vancouver in the Autumn?

Both Vancouver and Adirondack Mountains are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Adirondack Mountains because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Adirondack Mountains is cooler than Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in Adirondack Mountains averages around 49°F (9°C) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Adirondack Mountains usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Adirondack Mountains gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Adirondack Mountains usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Adirondack Mountains gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Adirondack Mountains 49°F (9°C) 
    Vancouver 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Adirondack Mountains or Vancouver in the Winter?

Both Vancouver and Adirondack Mountains during the winter are popular places to visit. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Adirondack Mountains this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vancouver. It's quite cold in Adirondack Mountains in the winter. In the winter, Adirondack Mountains is much colder than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in Adirondack Mountains in January average around 18°F (-8°C), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Adirondack Mountains often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Adirondack Mountains gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.

Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Adirondack Mountains usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Adirondack Mountains gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Adirondack Mountains 18°F (-8°C) 
    Vancouver 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Adirondack Mountains or Vancouver in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Adirondack Mountains and Vancouver. Many travelers come to Adirondack Mountains for the natural beauty.

In April, Adirondack Mountains is generally cooler than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Adirondack Mountains average around 46°F (8°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In Adirondack Mountains, it's very sunny this time of the year. Adirondack Mountains usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Adirondack Mountains gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Adirondack Mountains usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Adirondack Mountains gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Adirondack Mountains 46°F (8°C) 
    Vancouver 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Adirondack Mountains

Adirondack Mountains Vancouver
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°F (-8°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 4°C (40°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Feb 21°F (-6°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm) 6°C (42°F) 179 mm (7.1 in)
Mar 33°F (1°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 7°C (45°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Apr 46°F (8°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 9°C (49°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 57°F (14°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 13°C (55°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 66°F (19°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm) 16°C (60°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 71°F (22°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 69°F (20°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 18°C (64°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 15°C (59°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 49°F (9°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 11°C (51°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 38°F (4°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 7°C (44°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Dec 25°F (-4°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm) 4°C (40°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)