Which place is cheaper, British Columbia or Alaska?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlaska $0.00British Columbia $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Alaska is $0.00, while the average daily cost in British Columbia is $139. 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 -British Columbia $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlaska $0.00British Columbia $160
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 -British Columbia $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Anchorage to Seward- Pre-Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $219
- Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC: $62
- Private Arrival Transfer from Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
- Private Departure Transfer to Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
- Private Transfer Whittier Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport ANC: $232
- SUV-Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- SUV-Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage : $299
- SUV-Private Transfer, Whittier Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
- Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $197
- Shuttle Transfer: Anchorage ↔ Denali National Park: $150
Hired Cars and Shuttles in British Columbia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in British Columbia:
- Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
- Vancouver Airport-Cypress/Grouse Mountain Private Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer from Victoria City Hotels to Nanaimo Cruise Port: $46
- Private Transfer from Nanaimo Cruise Port to Victoria City Hotels: $46
- 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
- Mount Washington to Nanaimo Airport (YCD): Departure Transfer: $60
- Calgary Airport Transfer to Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise: $63
- Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $74
- Vancouver to Victoria, Coach Bus Transfer: $74
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 -British Columbia $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour: $190
- Kenai Fjords Glacier Dinner Cruise from Seward: $213
- Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $300
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in British Columbia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in British Columbia.
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $59
- Victoria Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $73
- Downtown Kelowna Walking Food Tour with 7 Tastings and Drinks: $74
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- Kelowna Top 5 Food Tour with Drinks: $89
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
- Okanagan Valley Wine Tasting with Sunset Dinner : $133
- Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
- VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138
- Finer Things Dinner Tour in Whistler: $144
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alaska -British Columbia $43
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- Gold Rush Boomtown: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Skagway: $5.00
- Juneau, The Last Frontier Self Guided (Smart Phone App/GPS) Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
- Seward Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Sensational Sitka Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- DIY Skagway Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $20
- Anchorage Trolley Tour: $25
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $34
- Guided Walking Tour of Sitka | HISTORIC DOWNTOWN: $39
- Axe Throwing - 60 minute Experience : $40
- Anchorage Trolley's Deluxe City Tour: $50
- Juneau City Tour: $52
- Anchorage City Tour, w/Chocolate Factory Samplings & Much More!: $59
Tours and Activities in British Columbia
Here are a few actual costs in British Columbia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.82
- Fort Langley: a Film & Television Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
- Victoria Harbour: a 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
- Sea to Sky Highway: a Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $6.31
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Kamloops and Vancouver: $6.31
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Kamloops & Revelstoke: $6.33
- Historic Walking Tours of Vancouver with Then & Now Images!: $6.68
- Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.68
- Explore The History of People of the Safe Harbour in Walking Tour of Ucluelet: $6.73
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlaska -British Columbia $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings: $179
- Guided Tour on Matanuska Glacier w/Alaska Honey & Wine Tasting: $285
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:
- Whistler Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience: $66
- Kelowna Snow E-Biking Adventure with Lunch, Wine Tasting & S'mores: $74
- 3-Hour Street Art & Craft Beer Tour of Victoria, Brewery Tour & Tasting included: $101
- Lake Country Scenic Wine Tour With Wine Tasting Experience: $104
- Kelowna Wine Tour on an E-Bike with Lunch: $111
- Lake Country Half Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $118
- Kelowna or West Kelowna Afternoon Sightseeing Wine Tour: $118
- East Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $118
- Sunset Sip Wine Tour : $118
- West Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries : $119
- Victoria, BC: Food & Wine Tour to the Cowichan Valley: $121
- Half-Day Lake Country Wine Tour: $126
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alaska and British Columbia, we can see that British Columbia is more expensive. And not only is Alaska much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alaska would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alaska 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 British Columbia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in British Columbia than you might in Alaska.
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.