Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Boston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Boston 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 Boston 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: Boston or Vancouver?
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.
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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-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 dayBoston $255Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Boston is $255, 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 Boston and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoston $166Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoston $332Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Boston and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Boston 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: Boston Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boston $37Vancouver $12
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:
- Luxor Limo Private Transfer and City Tour: $1,195
- Private Transfer: between Manhattan and Boston: $959
- Flynn Cruiseport Private Transfer to Boston: $684
- Round trip Airport Transfer: Logan - Boston: $300
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS): Private Transfer to Boston city: $243
- Boston’s Logan International Airport to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $170
- Boston Airport (BOS): Transfer to Flynn Cruise Port Boston: $168
- Private Transfer in Boston (BOS) Airport/Home/Hotel/Work : $160
- Limo Private Transfer Boston to Logan International Airport : $160
- Limo Private Transfer Logan International Airport to Boston: $160
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $157
- Private Transfer between Boston Logan Airport and Boston City: $150
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 Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
- Vancouver Airport-Cypress/Grouse Mountain Private Transfer: $38
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to White Rock - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Canada Place Port - Arrival Transfer: $55
- City Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $61
- Vancouver to Victoria: Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
- Vancouver to Victoria, Coach Bus Transfer: $74
- Private Transfer from Canada Place Cruise Terminal to any Hotel: $74
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Whistler - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Vancouver to Victoria - Vancouver Hotel Pickup - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Boston or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver 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 $49Vancouver $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 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.Boston $33Vancouver $36
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 Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Vancouver self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.28
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.74
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.82
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Fort Langley: a Film & Television Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.19
- Cycling the Seawall: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Along the Stanley Park Seawall: $5.46
- Historic Walking Tours of Vancouver with Then & Now Images!: $6.68
- Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.68
- Vancouver Downtown: Espionage Adventure Outdoor Escape Game: $6.94
- Self-Guided Smartphone Tour of Stanley Park: $7.30
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.42
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 $27Vancouver $16
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
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 Boston and Vancouver, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vancouver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vancouver 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 Vancouver.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boston Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Boston or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Boston 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 Boston or Vancouver?
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 Vancouver in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Boston as well as Vancouver. The summer months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Boston is a little warmer than Vancouver in the summer. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In the summer, Boston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Boston gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.
Boston usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Boston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBoston 73°F (23°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Boston or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver and Boston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Boston this time of year.
In the autumn, Boston is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Boston in October average around 54°F (12°C), and Vancouver averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Boston usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Boston gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Boston usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Boston gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBoston 54°F (12°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Boston or Vancouver in the Winter?
Both Vancouver and Boston during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Vancouver can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Boston. In January, Boston is generally much colder than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Boston average around 29°F (-2°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Boston often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Boston gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Boston usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Boston gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBoston 29°F (-2°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Boston or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Boston and Vancouver. Many visitors come to Boston in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Boston is around the same temperature as Vancouver in the spring. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Boston usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Boston gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Boston usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Boston gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Vancouver 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)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Boston
| Boston | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 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.