Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Boston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Boston 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 Boston 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: Boston or Halifax?
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) 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 dayBoston $255Halifax $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Boston is $255, 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 Boston and Halifax in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoston $166Halifax $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoston $332Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Boston and Halifax
Looking for a hotel in Boston 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: Boston Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boston $37Halifax $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
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Taxi$35
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Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Downtown to Boston Airport (BOS): $69
- Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Airport (BOS) to City Downtown: $69
- Round trip transfer in private vehicle from Boston downtown-to the Airport (BOS): $138
- Round trip Airport Transfer: Logan - Boston: $300
- Private Transfer: between Manhattan and Boston: $959
- Private Transfer in Boston (BOS) Airport/Home/Hotel/Work : $160
- Private Transfer from Boston to Flynn Cruiseport Boston: $116
- Private Transfer from Boston City Hotels to Newport Cruise Port: $87
- Private Transfer between Boston Logan Airport and Boston City: $150
- Private Transfer Boston Airport BOS to Boston by Business or Luxury Vehicle: $122
- Private Departure Transfer to Boston Airport BOS: $28
- Limo Private Transfer Logan International Airport to Boston: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax
Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
- Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
- Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36
- Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
- Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80
- Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209
Is it cheaper to fly into Boston or Halifax?
Prices for flights to both Halifax and Boston 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 dayBoston $49Halifax $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- AM Coffee Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston's North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour: $49
- North End Pizza Tour with 3 Slices and Cannoli: $55
- North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $68
- Boston Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $77
- Ultimate Food Tour of North End & Public Market: $79
- Boston's North End Small Group Food Tour : $81
- Ultimate Boston Food Tour: North End & Boston Public Market: $89
- Union Square, Somerville Neighborhood Food Tour: $90
- Boston Harbor: Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $108
- Local Gems of the South End Neighborhood Food Tour: $110
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.Boston $33Halifax $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
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Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
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Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- "Ghosts of Boston" Walking Ghost Tour: $25
- "Witch Trials" Walking Tour in Salem: $25
- 1 If By Land Walking Tours: History Walking Tour of Boston: $45
- 1 or 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with Harbor Cruise Option: $46
- 1-Day Tour to Portland-Maine from Boston: $175
- 1692 Salem Day Tour: $32
- 1692 Salem Night Walking Tour: $32
- 2 Hour North End 'Little Italy' Walking Tour : $35
- 2-Hour Beacon Hill True Crime Expert Guided Tour: $35
- 90-Minute Boston Harbor Sunset Sightseeing Cruise: $48
- A Bostonian Christmas Tour: $423
- A Bostonian Christmas Tour: $216
Tours and Activities in Halifax
For Halifax, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover the Halifax Explosion Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Churches, Gardens, & Graveyards Smartphone Tour: $5.11
- Halifax Boardwalk and Seaport: Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Exlore Halifax with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
- Halifax self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
- From City and Peggy's Cove Sunset Guided Tour: $65
- City Segway Tour: $67
- Small-Group Tour with Citadel and Peggy's Cove: $94
- Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & Museum: $102
- From Small Group Lunenberg Express Tour: $120
- Guided Harbourfront Food Walking Tour: $120
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoston $27Halifax $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $30
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $35
- Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $59
- Boston Small-Group Freedom Trail History Tour Pub Crawl: $60
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boston and Halifax, we can see that Boston 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston 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 Boston Expensive? and Is Halifax Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Boston or Halifax?
Boston has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Halifax. When comparing the sizes of Boston 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 Boston or Halifax?
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 Boston or Halifax in the Summer?
Both Halifax and Boston during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Boston in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Boston is a little warmer than Halifax in the summer. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Halifax, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Boston. In the summer, Boston often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Boston gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun.
Boston usually gets less rain in July than Halifax. Boston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBoston 73°F (23°C)Halifax 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Boston or Halifax in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Boston and Halifax. Most visitors come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Boston is a little warmer than Halifax. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Boston in October average around 54°F (12°C), and Halifax averages at about 10°C (49°F).
Boston usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during autumn. Boston gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Halifax receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Boston usually receives less rain than Halifax. Boston gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBoston 54°F (12°C)Halifax 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Boston or Halifax in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Boston as well as Halifax. The winter months attract visitors to Boston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Halifax in the winter. The weather in Boston can be very cold. In January, Boston is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Boston average around 29°F (-2°C), and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).
In the winter, Boston often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Boston gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Halifax. Boston usually gets less rain in January than Halifax. Boston gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBoston 29°F (-2°C)Halifax -4°C (24°F)
Should I visit Boston or Halifax in the Spring?
Both Halifax and Boston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Boston this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Halifax. Boston is much warmer than Halifax in the spring. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. Boston usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during spring. Boston gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In April, Boston usually receives less rain than Halifax. Boston gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBoston 48°F (9°C)Halifax 4°C (39°F)
Typical Weather for Halifax and Boston
| Boston | Halifax | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | -4°C (24°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | -1°C (31°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 4°C (39°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 14°C (57°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Oct | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Nov | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 5°C (40°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 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.