A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Big Pine Key vs. Halifax for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Halifax?

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 Big Pine Key and Halifax. 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: Big Pine Key or Halifax?

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

Halifax

The quaint and charming coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia has an interesting personality. While it caters to travelers from all over the world, it maintains the pace and lifestyle of a small town.

Steeped in maritime history, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and one of the world's greatest natural harbors. This busy seaport serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.

When planning your trip keep in mind that this city has a climate like other coastal cities. Summers are nice with the occasional humidity. Winters are mild, but still full of snow and wind. The best time of year to visit is most certainly the fall.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.


Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Big Pine Key?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $144, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $114. 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 Big Pine Key and Halifax in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Big Pine Key $64
    Halifax $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Big Pine Key $128
    Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Halifax

Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Halifax? 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 Big Pine Key


Hotels in Halifax


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: Halifax Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Big Pine Key $56
    Halifax $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax

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

  • Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36
  • Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
  • Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
  • From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Halifax?

Prices for flights to both Halifax and Big Pine Key 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
    Big Pine Key $42
    Halifax $31

Typical Food Prices in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Bluenose II Restaurant
    $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax

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

  • Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Big Pine Key $42
    Halifax $28

Tours and Activities in Halifax

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

  • Exlore Halifax with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
  • From City and Peggy's Cove Sunset Guided Tour: $65
  • From Small Group Lunenberg Express Tour: $120
  • Halifax Boardwalk and Seaport: Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
  • Halifax self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
  • Churches, Gardens, & Graveyards Smartphone Tour: $5.11
  • City Segway Tour: $67
  • Discover the Halifax Explosion Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • Full Day City Sightseeing Tour: $1,675
  • Guided Harbourfront Food Walking Tour: $120
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & Museum: $102

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Big Pine Key $9.29
    Halifax $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Halifax, we can see that Big Pine Key is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Big Pine Key would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Big Pine Key than you might in Halifax.

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


Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Halifax, 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 Big Pine Key or Halifax?

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 Big Pine Key or Halifax in the Summer?

Both Halifax and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In July, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Halifax. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during summer. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Halifax. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Big Pine Key 84°F (29°C) 
    Halifax 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Halifax in the Autumn?

Both Halifax and Big Pine Key during the autumn are popular places to visit.

Big Pine Key is much warmer than Halifax in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the autumn, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Halifax. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Big Pine Key 80°F (27°C) 
    Halifax 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Halifax in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Halifax.

It's quite cold in Halifax in the winter. In the winter, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Halifax averages at about -4°C (24°F).

In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during winter. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun in the winter.

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Halifax. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Big Pine Key 70°F (21°C) 
    Halifax -4°C (24°F)

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Halifax in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Halifax.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Halifax. In April, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the spring, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Halifax. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Big Pine Key 77°F (25°C) 
    Halifax 4°C (39°F)

Typical Weather for Halifax and Big Pine Key

Big Pine Key Halifax
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) -4°C (24°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Feb 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm) -5°C (24°F) 108 mm (4.2 in)
Mar 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) -1°C (31°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm) 4°C (39°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 9°C (48°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 14°C (57°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Jul 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 18°C (64°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Aug 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 18°C (65°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Sep 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm) 15°C (58°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Oct 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 10°C (49°F) 121 mm (4.7 in)
Nov 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 5°C (40°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm) -1°C (29°F) 152 mm (6 in)