Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Alexandria?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Alexandria or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Alexandria and Vancouver. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Alexandria or Vancouver?
Alexandria
Just minutes from the nation's capital of Washington DC, Alexandria offers a world of rich history and beautifully preserved buildings from the 18th-19th centuries. A city of many interests, attractions range from the old haunts of George Washington and historic architecture to museums, local crafts, and quaint boutiques. With its cobblestoned streets, Old Town of Alexandria is sure to charm as well.
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 Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlexandria $0.00Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $0.00, 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 Alexandria and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlexandria $38Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlexandria $76Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Alexandria 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.
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: Alexandria Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alexandria -Vancouver $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport$6.35
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
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15 min Taxi Ride$8.71
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SkyTrain DayPass$6.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Vancouver Airport (YVR) Transfer to Whistler: $611
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Vancouver Airport YVR: $602
- Private Transfer from Downtown Vancouver to Whistler: $570
- Private Transfer from YVR Airport To Whistler: $511
- Vancouver Airport(YVR): Transfer to Canada Place Cruise Port: $425
- Canada Place Cruise Port: Transfer to Vancouver hotels: $425
- Maximize Your Cruise Adventure: Vancouver Tour & Transfer: $292
- Vancouver, BC: Scenic Seaplane Transfer to Seattle, WA: $283
- Private Transfer, Langley, BC to Vancouver International Airport-VIP Sedan: $280
- Vancouver Cruise Transfers/ City Sightseeing Tour Private: $277
- Private Transfer from Vancouver (YVR) Airport to Vancouver City: $270
- Private Transfer, Vancouver Intl. Airport to Vancouver, BC - VIP, SEDAN : $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Alexandria 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 dayAlexandria -Vancouver $31
Typical Food Prices in Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alexandria -Vancouver $36
Tours and Activities in Alexandria
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alexandria.
- American Revolution Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Full-Day Bike Tour to Mt Vernon w/ Optional Boat: $68
- Phantoms of the Potomac Walking Tour: $26
- Private Tour of George Washington's Mount Vernon: $165
- Ultimate Dead of Night Walking Ghost Tour: $38
- Old Town Alexandria Tour: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Old Town Southern Comfort Food & History Tour: $127
- Philadelphia Tour from Alexandria by Rail: $329
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Guided Bike /E-bike Tour in Whistler From Vancouver: $219
- Sunshine Coast Escape (Around Vancouver) Small Group Tour: $145
- $99 Vancouver 2 Hours City Tour Private: $102
- 2 Days Leavenworth Christmastown Tour from Vancouver (Chn&Eng): $192
- 2-in-1 Vancouver city Tour: $234
- 3-Day Vancouver City Tour Package With Whistler & Victoria: $2,411
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $456
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $583
- 4-Hour Private Tour of Vancouver's Gardens: $334
- 5 Days in Vancouver Multiactivity Adventure Tour: $2,411
- 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $709
- 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $836
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlexandria -Vancouver $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Alexandria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Alexandria:
- Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
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 Alexandria and Vancouver, we can see that Vancouver is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Vancouver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vancouver than you might in Alexandria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Vancouver, 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.
When is the best time to visit Alexandria or Vancouver?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Alexandria or Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Alexandria is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alexandria in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Vancouver. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alexandria. Alexandria usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver during summer. Alexandria gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Alexandria usually receives more rain than Vancouver. Alexandria gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAlexandria 79°F (26°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver and Alexandria during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year.
In October, Alexandria is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 60°F (15°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Alexandria often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Alexandria gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun.
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Alexandria usually gets less rain in October than Vancouver. Alexandria gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAlexandria 60°F (15°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Vancouver. Many travelers come to Alexandria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Vancouver can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Alexandria. Alexandria is much colder than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 35°F (1°C) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Alexandria usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during winter. Alexandria gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Alexandria gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAlexandria 35°F (1°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Alexandria or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Vancouver. Many visitors come to Alexandria in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Alexandria is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alexandria in April average around 56°F (14°C), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alexandria this time of the year. In the spring, Alexandria often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Alexandria gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Alexandria usually gets less rain in April than Vancouver. Alexandria gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAlexandria 56°F (14°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Alexandria
| Alexandria | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
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.