Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Big Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Big Sur or Halifax?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Big Sur and Halifax can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Big Sur or Halifax?
Big Sur
Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.
However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.
While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.
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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Sur $0.00Halifax $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Sur is $0.00, 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 Sur and Halifax in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Sur $165Halifax $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Sur $330Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Big Sur and Halifax
Looking for a hotel in Big Sur 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Sur -Halifax $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax
Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209
- Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
- From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80
- Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
- Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
- Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Sur or Halifax?
Prices for flights to both Halifax and Big Sur 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 dayBig Sur -Halifax $31
Typical Food Prices in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Sur -Halifax $28
Tours and Activities in Big Sur
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Big Sur.
- Big Sur California: Pacific Coast Highway Self-Drive Tour: $13
- Big Sur Highway 1: Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Sur -Halifax $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Sur and Halifax, we can see that Halifax is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Halifax would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Halifax than you might in Big Sur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Sur Expensive? and Is Halifax Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Big Sur 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 Sur or Halifax in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Sur and Halifax. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.
In the summer, Big Sur is around the same temperature as Halifax. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Sur in July average around 63°F (17°C), and Halifax averages at about 18°C (64°F).
In July, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Halifax. Big Sur gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Sur 63°F (17°C)Halifax 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Big Sur or Halifax in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Big Sur as well as Halifax. Many travelers come to Big Sur for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Big Sur is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Big Sur average around 62°F (17°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
It's quite rainy in Halifax. Big Sur usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. Big Sur gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Sur 62°F (17°C)Halifax 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Big Sur or Halifax in the Winter?
Both Halifax and Big Sur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Big Sur in the winter for the cuisine.
Halifax can be very cold during winter. Big Sur is much warmer than Halifax in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Sur averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In January, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Halifax. Big Sur gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Sur 51°F (11°C)Halifax -4°C (24°F)
Should I visit Big Sur or Halifax in the Spring?
Both Halifax and Big Sur during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Big Sur for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
The weather in Halifax can be very cold. In the spring, Big Sur is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Sur in April average around 56°F (13°C), and Halifax averages at about 4°C (39°F).
Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Big Sur usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. Big Sur gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Sur 56°F (13°C)Halifax 4°C (39°F)
Typical Weather for Halifax and Big Sur
| Big Sur | Halifax | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | -4°C (24°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) | -1°C (31°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) | 4°C (39°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 14°C (57°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jul | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Aug | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Oct | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Nov | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 5°C (40°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | -1°C (29°F) | 152 mm (6 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.