Which place is cheaper, British Columbia or Alaska?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Alaska or British Columbia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Alaska or British Columbia? 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: Alaska or British Columbia?
Alaska
Alaska joined the United States of America as the 49th state. The US purchased the area from the Russian Empire in 1867 for just 7.2 million dollars (about two cents an acre). It became an organized territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It is separated from the rest of the country by Canada and, although it is the largest state, it is the least densely populated and for many years had the lowest population. It covers an area equal to California, Texas and Montana combined and lies on the Arctic Circle. Many people consider Alaska to be the United State's "final frontier" because of its vast wilderness. It is also where you will find the highest point in North America.
British Columbia
The westernmost province in Canada, British Columbia, is four times the size of Great Britain with less than one tenth of the population. This is due to the vast mountain ranges just ready to be tackled including the Rockies, Selkirks and the Coastal Range. With vibrant cities and ambitious outdoor activities, British Columbia is ready for any traveler.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.
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Alaska Prices
USA PricesBritish Columbia Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlaska $280British Columbia $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Alaska is $280, while the average daily cost in British Columbia is $159. 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 Alaska and British Columbia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlaska $135British Columbia $79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlaska $270British Columbia $158
Compare Hotels in Alaska and British Columbia
Looking for a hotel in Alaska or British Columbia? 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.
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alaska $51British Columbia $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Anchorage to Seward Direct Transfer Tour: $89
- Portage Glacier Express with Van Transfer from Anchorage: $123
- Private Transfer, Anchorage to Seward Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
- Seward Cruise Transfer with Wildlife & Scenic Tour to Anchorage: $249
- Seward to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $227
- Seward to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $89
- Seward to Anchorage Shared Bus Transfer Service: $75
- Whittier Cruise Transfer with Wildlife&Glacier tour to Anchorage: $199
- Whittier to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $197
- Whittier to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in British Columbia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in British Columbia:
- Vancouver: YVR Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $28
- Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
- Transfers Vancouver Airport and Cruise port to or from Hotels: $40
- Private Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $41
- Private and Group Transfer from Vancouver Airport YVR: $48
- Calgary Airport Transfer to/from Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise: $56
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Vancouver hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $67
- Private Transfer from Canada Place Port to any Hotel: $73
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Vancouver Airport (YVR): $82
- Vancouver to Canada Place Cruise Port Departure Private Transfer: $84
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver Arrival Private Transfer: $84
Is it cheaper to fly into Alaska or British Columbia?
Prices for flights to both British Columbia and Alaska 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
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Food Meals for one dayAlaska $94British Columbia $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre Experience: $95
- Aurora Viewing and Dinner: $120
- Anchorage Sightseeing and Food Tour - Available All Year Long!: $195
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $239
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in British Columbia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in British Columbia.
- Kelowna: #1 Rated Walking Food Tour with 7 Tastings and 4 Drinks: $84
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $94
- Vancouver Gastown's Elite Walking Food Tour Experience: $105
- Taste North Vancouver Shipyards - Food Tour with Local Eats: $114
- Vancouver: Gastown Food Tour with 6 Authentic Local Food Tastings: $115
- Vancouver Foodie Tour: Granville Island Market Food Tour: $120
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $121
- Private Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $134
- Vancouver Chinatown Tour and Dumpling-Making Cooking Class: $135
- Whistler's Finer Things: 4-Course Dinner & Champagne Sabering: $167
- Vancouver Night Tour with Capilano & Grouse Mountain Dinner: $277
- Main Street Michelin Mile Food Tour: $279
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alaska $65British Columbia $43
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- Anchorage Self-Guided Tour: Discover Glaciers & Alaska's Frontier: $4.67
- Skagway Downtown Walking Private Tour Experience: $9.75
- The Last Saloon Before the Wilderness: A Ketchikan Audio Tour: $9.99
- Discover Seward: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour: Anchorage to Seward: $17
- Seward Hwy Scenic Drive: Anchorage-Seward Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Parks Hwy: Anchorage to Denali Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour: $20
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Anchorage to Homer: $20
- Anchorage–Homer Sterling Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $20
- Self-Guided Anchorage to Denali Driving Audio Tour: $20
- Anchorage Trolley's 1-Hour City Tour: $25
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $36
Tours and Activities in British Columbia
Here are a few actual costs in British Columbia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Victoria Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.38
- Gratuity-Based Vancouver City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour: $5.00
- Vancouver Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.12
- Vancouver Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Stanley Park Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.57
- Spy Escape in Vancouver: Outdoor Puzzle Adventure: $7.01
- Vancouver to Whistler Private Self Guided Audio Tour: $7.30
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $7.30
- Vancouver Downtown Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
- Sea to Sky Highway Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $8.03
- Vancouver–Kamloops Self-Guided Coquihalla Audio Driving Tour: $8.03
- Kamloops–Revelstoke Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $8.03
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlaska $20British Columbia $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skagway Spirits Distillery Tour Tasting and Scenic Views: $102
- Sitka Haunted Pub Crawl: Ghost Stories, Local History & Drinks: $104
- Whispers of Ketchikan Burlesque Experience with Live Music: $130
- Distillery Tour and Signature Bottle Infusion Experience: $149
- Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour: $159
- Arctic Ale Trail: a Fairbanks Brewery Tour with Drinks & Pickup.: $189
Sample the Local Flavors in British Columbia
Also in British Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Amazing Bar Crawl in Vancouver BC: $15
- Pickle Pub Crawl in Victoria's Inner Harbour: $53
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Neighbourhood Walking Tour: $68
- Vancouver Behind-the-Scenes Brewery Tour: $91
- North Vancouver Elite Walking Brewery Tour: $94
- Signature Lake Country Wine Tour: $102
- 4-Hour Okanagan Valley Wine Tasting. Wineries of East Kelowna Bench.: $107
- Osoyoos Half Day Wine Tour (Incl. Tasting Fees & Guide Gratuity!): $116
- East Kelowna Half Day Wine Tour- Incl. Tasting Fees & Guide Grat!: $116
- East Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $116
- Sunset Sip Wine Tour: $116
- West Kelowna Half Day Wine Tour- Incl. Tasting Fees & Guide Grat!: $116
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alaska and British Columbia, we can see that Alaska is more expensive. And not only is British Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to British Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in British Columbia 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 Alaska would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alaska than you might in British Columbia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alaska Expensive? and Is British Columbia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Alaska or British Columbia?
British Columbia has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of Alaska and British Columbia, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.