Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Brisbane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Brisbane or Vancouver?
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 Brisbane and Vancouver can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Brisbane or Vancouver?
Brisbane
Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.
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 Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, 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 dayBrisbane $133Vancouver $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Brisbane is $133, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $142. 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 Brisbane and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrisbane $82Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrisbane $164Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Brisbane and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Brisbane 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: Brisbane Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brisbane $18Vancouver $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
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Airtrain to the City$9.91
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Go Card$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane
Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Theme Park Return Transfer: $529
- Brisbane Airport to Noosa Private Transfer for 2: $258
- NOOSA: Private Transfer to/fro Brisbane Airport (BNE): $254
- Private Transfer to Gold Coast /OOL Airport from Brisbane /BNE Airport (1-7 Pax): $231
- Brisbane Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Brisbane hotels: $208
- Brisbane Airport (BNE): Private Transfer to Brisbane Port: $208
- Brisbane Airport (BNE): Private Transfer to Brisbane hotels: $186
- Airport Transfer: Brisbane Airport BNE to Brisbane in Luxury Car: $146
- Departure Private Transfer: Brisbane to Brisbane Airport BNE in Luxury Van: $134
- Sirromet Winery 3 Course Lunch, Tour, Tastings and Transfers: $132
- Tangalooma Snorkel the Wrecks Day Cruise Transfers: $129
- Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City: $124
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport$6.40
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
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15 min Taxi Ride$8.78
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SkyTrain DayPass$6.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Vancouver Airport (YVR) Transfer to Whistler: $611
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Vancouver Airport YVR: $602
- Private Transfer from Downtown Vancouver to Whistler: $571
- Private Transfer from YVR Airport To Whistler: $511
- Vancouver Airport(YVR): Transfer to Canada Place Cruise Port: $428
- Canada Place Cruise Port: Transfer to Vancouver hotels: $428
- Maximize Your Cruise Adventure: Vancouver Tour & Transfer: $292
- Vancouver Cruise Transfers/ Pre & Post Cruise City Sightseeing Tour Private: $282
- Private Transfer, Langley, BC to Vancouver International Airport-VIP Sedan: $280
- Vancouver Cruise Transfers/ City Sightseeing Tour Private: $277
- Private Transfer from Vancouver (YVR) Airport to Vancouver City: $271
- Vancouver, BC: Scenic Seaplane Transfer to Seattle, WA: $258
Is it cheaper to fly into Brisbane or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Brisbane 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 dayBrisbane $31Vancouver $31
Typical Food Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
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Hamburger Lunch$5.28
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Cup of Coffee$1.98
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Chinese Food Lunch$8.26
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Ice cream$3.63
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Japanese Meal$14
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Smoothie$4.29
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Japanese Soup$7.60
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Coffee & Muffin$4.62
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Morning Mint Tea$2.31
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Veggie Burger & Chips$9.25
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Bread$1.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vertigo Dinner: Dining on the edge!: $165
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$8.87
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vancouver Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $78
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $94
- Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $100
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
- 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
- Evening Cruise with Dinner Buffet: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Brisbane $24Vancouver $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Concert Tickets$13
Tours and Activities in Brisbane
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.
- 1hr Animal Tour: $43
- 2hr Animal Tour: $74
- 3-Hour Walking Tour in Brisbane: $57
- 45-Minute Behind-the-Tanks Tour on North Stradbroke Island: $32
- 90min Brisbane River Cruise/Tour: $35
- Adventure Moreton Island Day Pass: $86
- Afternoon Moreton Bay Sailing Tour: $70
- All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise Brisbane: $131
- Barefoot Luxury Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Brisbane: $180
- Bellthorpe Rainforest Private Tour: $132
- Brilliant Brisbane Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Brisbane : Must See Attractions Private Walking Tour: $87
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Guided Bike /E-bike Tour in Whistler From Vancouver: $220
- Private Vancouver Squamish EUC E-Scooter Bike Tour: $59
- Sunshine Coast Escape (Around Vancouver) Small Group Tour: $145
- Whistler Discovery and Waterfalls Small Group Tour: : $197
- $99 Vancouver 2 Hours City Tour Private: $102
- $99 Vancouver 2 Hours City Tour Private: $100
- 2 Days Leavenworth Christmastown Tour from Vancouver (Chn&Eng): $192
- 2-in-1 Vancouver city Tour: $234
- 3 Days Leavenworth & Portland X'mas Tour from Vancouver (Chn&Eng): $289
- 3-Day Vancouver City Tour Package With Whistler & Victoria: $2,413
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $456
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $583
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBrisbane $51Vancouver $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brisbane
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:
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Evening at the Bar$9.91
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Sixpack of Beer$9.25
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Guiness Beer$5.61
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Sixpack of Beer$8.58
Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:
- XXXX Beer Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting: $24
- XXXX Brewery Tour: $25
- City Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $50
- Artisinal Wine Tasting and Local 2-Course Meal: $50
- River Cruise Brewery Tour with Drinks: $65
- Brewery Tour River Cruise in Brisbane: $66
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Brisbane: $100
- Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $104
- Half Day Gold Coast Brewery Tour: $107
- Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour + 2 Course Lunch: $126
- Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast: $132
- From Mount Tamborine Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch: $132
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: $88
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour Led by a Local: $89
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour: $89
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $134
- Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $134
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $138
- From Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Local Tastings: $139
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
When comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Vancouver, we can see that Vancouver 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. Even though Brisbane is in Pacific and Vancouver is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brisbane Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Brisbane. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane 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 Brisbane or Vancouver?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Vancouver has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Brisbane or Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Brisbane in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Brisbane is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brisbane in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Vancouver. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives less sunshine than Vancouver during summer. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Brisbane. In January, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Vancouverin July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyBrisbane 25°C (77°F)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Brisbane or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver and Brisbane during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.
In April, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Vancouverin October. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 22°C (71°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the autumn, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Vancouverin October. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun.
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually gets less rain in April than Vancouverin October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberBrisbane 22°C (71°F)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Brisbane or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Vancouver. The winter months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Vancouver in the winter. Brisbane is much warmer than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F)in January.
In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during winter. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Brisbane usually receives less rain than Vancouverin January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBrisbane 15°C (59°F)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Brisbane or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Vancouver. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.
In the spring, Brisbane is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brisbane in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the spring, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Vancouverin April. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Brisbane usually gets less rain in October than Vancouverin April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilBrisbane 21°C (69°F)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Brisbane
| Brisbane | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 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.