Which place is cheaper, Nova Scotia or British Columbia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit British Columbia or Nova Scotia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between British Columbia and Nova Scotia can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: British Columbia or Nova Scotia?
British Columbia
The westernmost province in Canada, British Columbia, is four times the size of Great Britain with less than one tenth of the population. This is due to the vast mountain ranges just ready to be tackled including the Rockies, Selkirks and the Coastal Range. With vibrant cities and ambitious outdoor activities, British Columbia is ready for any traveler.
Nova Scotia
As one of the original four provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia became part of Canada in 1867. With a population of over 900,000 people, 44% of them live in the capital city of Nova Scotia. This region is truly diverse with people of countless ethnic backgrounds calling Nova Scotia home, but the biggest influences come from the early Scottish settlers. It's undoubtedly there even if it's been mixed with the native Mi'kmaq culture and those of other immigrant groups.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, The Best Eco Tours in Canada, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada.
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British Columbia Prices
Canada PricesNova Scotia Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBritish Columbia $175,415Nova Scotia $8,736
The average daily cost (per person) in British Columbia is $175,415, while the average daily cost in Nova Scotia is $8,736. 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 British Columbia and Nova Scotia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBritish Columbia $94,602Nova Scotia $3,426
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBritish Columbia $
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188Nova Scotia $
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6.00
Compare Hotels in British Columbia and Nova Scotia
Looking for a hotel in British Columbia or Nova Scotia? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.British Columbia $13,071Nova Scotia $1,788
Hired Cars and Shuttles in British Columbia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in British Columbia:
- A Private Transfer from Vancouver Pier Cruise Ship to YVR Airport: $190
- Arrival Private Transfer Vancouver YVR or Cruise Port to Vancouver by Minibus: $171
- Arrival Private Transfer from Vancouver YVR or Cruise Port to Vancouver by SUV: $124
- Arrival Private Transfer from Vancouver YVR or Port to Vancouver by Business Car: $108
- Arrival Private Transfer: Vancouver Airport YVR to Vancouver in Luxury Car: $194
- Arrival Transfer: Vancouver Airport YVR - Vancouver by Luxury SUV: $143
- Calgary Airport Transfer to/from Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise: $56
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Business Car: $129
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury Car: $193
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury SUV: $143
- Field to Calgary Airport (YYC) - Departure Private Transfer: $299
- Mount Washington to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Transfer: $267
Is it cheaper to fly into British Columbia or Nova Scotia?
Prices for flights to both Nova Scotia and British Columbia 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 dayBritish Columbia $63,622Nova Scotia $3,641
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in British Columbia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in British Columbia.
- Fun Sushi Making Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Vancouver: $62
- Victoria's Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Pastries, More: $70
- Delicious Donuts & Holiday Cheer: Victoria's Sweetest Food Tour: $70
- Kelowna: #1 Rated Walking Food Tour with 7 Tastings and 4 Drinks: $84
- Vancouver Gastown's Elite Walking Food Tour Experience: $92
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $94
- Vancouver Chinatown Elite Food Tour Hidden Gems & Local Tastings: $98
- A Wok Around Granville Island Public Market Food Tour: $109
- Vancouver Foodie Tour: Granville Island Market Food Tour: $120
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $121
- Private Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $134
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $136
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.British Columbia $11,200Nova Scotia $2,030
Tours and Activities in British Columbia
Here are a few actual costs in British Columbia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Vancouver Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $3.72
- Victoria Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.95
- Vancouver Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.60
- Fort Langley: Film & Television Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.83
- Cycling the Seawall: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Along the Stanley Park Seawall: $5.99
- Stanley Park Self Guided Walking Tour: $6.56
- Stanley Park Self Guided Bike Tour: $6.56
- Explore The History of People of the Safe Harbour in Walking Tour of Ucluelet: $6.58
- Victoria Free Historic Walking Night Tour-Gratuity Based: $7.00
- Vancouver to Whistler Private Self Guided Audio Tour: $7.29
- Vancouver Downtown Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Kamloops and Vancouver: $8.04
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBritish Columbia $4,280Nova Scotia $714
Sample the Local Flavors in British Columbia
Also in British Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pickle Pub Crawl in Victoria's Inner Harbour: $53
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Neighbourhood Walking Tour: $68
- Victoria Craft Brewery Tour: $88
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour: $88
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour Led by a Local: $106
- 4-Hour Okanagan Valley Wine Tasting. Wineries of East Kelowna Bench.: $107
- Signature Lake Country Wine Tour: $109
- Victoria Craft Beer and Distillery Tour: $109
- Sunset Sip Wine Tour: $116
- East Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $116
- West Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $116
- Osoyoos Half Day Wine Tour (Incl. Tasting Fees & Guide Gratuity!): $116
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between British Columbia and Nova Scotia, we can see that British Columbia is more expensive. And not only is Nova Scotia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nova Scotia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nova Scotia 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 British Columbia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in British Columbia than you might in Nova Scotia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is British Columbia Expensive? and Is Nova Scotia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, British Columbia or Nova Scotia?
British Columbia has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Nova Scotia. When comparing the sizes of British Columbia and Nova Scotia, 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.
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.