A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Berkeley vs. Victoria for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Berkeley or Victoria?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berkeley or Victoria, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Berkeley or Victoria?

Berkeley

Berkeley is considered to be perhaps the most progressive or liberal city in the United States. The town has deep roots in the Free Speech movement of the 1960s. Visitors, students, and locals alike will find an eclectic mix of cultures and viewpoints. The city's free-thinking environment has witnessed the creation of quality attractions, great food from many world cultures, and of course the internationally renowned University of California, Berkeley (also known as "Cal" or "Cal Berkeley").

Victoria

The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Berkeley?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Berkeley is $190, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $182. 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 Berkeley and Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Berkeley $131
    Victoria $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Berkeley $262
    Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Berkeley and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Berkeley or Victoria? 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 Berkeley


Hotels in Victoria


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: Berkeley Hotel Prices and Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Berkeley $30
    Victoria $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berkeley

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Berkeley:

  • Private Transfer: Oakland International Airport to Hotel: $200
  • Private Departure Transfer to Oakland Airport OAK: $97
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland: $93
  • Oakland hotel or address to Oakland Airport (OAK) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
  • Oakland Airport (OAK) to San Francisco hotel/address - Private Arrival Transfer: $64
  • Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
  • Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport OAK to San Francisco by SUV: $232

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria

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

  • Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $74
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Hotel Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $87
  • Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria: $206
  • Seaplane Transfer between Victoria and Whistler: $219

Is it cheaper to fly into Berkeley or Victoria?

Prices for flights to both Victoria and Berkeley 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
    Berkeley $36
    Victoria $27
Typical Food Prices in Berkeley

Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:


  • Chocolates at Sweet Dreams
    $4.46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Berkeley.

  • North 3-Hour Food Tour: $116
  • Best of North Berkeley Food Tour: $130
  • Black Food Tour - Downtown Oakland: $130

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Victoria

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

  • Chocolate Lovers Food Tour: $44
  • Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $58
  • Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $59
  • Victoria Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $73
  • Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $146

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Berkeley $30
    Victoria $45

Tours and Activities in Berkeley

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Berkeley are as follows:

  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Berkeley: $20
  • Classic Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour: $135
  • Comedy Oakland at The Washington Inn Show Tickets: $20
  • Historic Houseboat Tour: $65
  • Oakland Athletics Baseball Game Ticket at RingCentral Coliseum: $14
  • Oakland's Temescal Tastes Tour: $120
  • Redwoods of Marin and Mt. Tamalpais Walking Tour with Local Guide: $59
  • Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket: $12
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Berkeley by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Self-Guided Oakland Tour in an Urban Excursion: $20
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Antioch by Zombie Scavengers: $20

Tours and Activities in Victoria

For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Victoria self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.28
  • Victoria Harbor: Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • 2.5-hour Tips-Based City Walking Tour: $6.58
  • Victoria, BC: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $11
  • Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $13
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Experience Victoria by Foot Walking Tour: $15
  • Butterfly Gardens Admission Ticket: $15
  • Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $16
  • Cultural & Historical Victoria Walking Tour: $16
  • Malahat SkyWalk General Admission Tickets: $29
  • Experience Victoria City Tour: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Berkeley $13
    Victoria $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Berkeley

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Berkeley:

  • Guided Wine Tasting at Berkeley Wineries with Local Sommelière : $175
  • Guided Wine Tasting with Local Sommelière: $175

Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:

  • Guided Pub Crawl with Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $48
  • 3-Hour Street Art & Craft Beer Tour of Victoria, Brewery Tour & Tasting included: $101
  • Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $134
  • Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $439


When comparing the travel costs between Berkeley and Victoria, we can see that Berkeley is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Berkeley or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Berkeley. When comparing the sizes of Berkeley and Victoria, 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 Berkeley or Victoria?

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 Berkeley or Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria and Berkeley during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Berkeley for the family-friendly experiences.

Berkeley is around the same temperature as Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Berkeley averages around 63°F (17°C) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Berkeley usually gets less rain in July than Victoria. Berkeley gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Berkeley 63°F (17°C) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Berkeley or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkeley and Victoria. Many visitors come to Berkeley in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Berkeley is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Berkeley in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In October, Berkeley usually receives less rain than Victoria. Berkeley gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Berkeley 63°F (17°C) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Berkeley or Victoria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Berkeley as well as Victoria. Most visitors come to Berkeley for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Victoria can be very cold. In January, Berkeley is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Berkeley average around 50°F (10°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

It's quite rainy in Victoria. Berkeley usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Berkeley gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Berkeley 50°F (10°C) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Berkeley or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and Berkeley are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Berkeley because of the natural beauty.

Berkeley is a little warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Berkeley averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Berkeley usually receives less rain than Victoria. Berkeley gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Berkeley 58°F (14°C) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Berkeley

Berkeley Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 50°F (10°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 58°F (14°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 60°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 62°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 63°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 66°F (19°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)