Which place is cheaper, Ontario or British Columbia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit British Columbia or Ontario?
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 Ontario 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 Ontario?
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.
Ontario
Chances are when you think of Canada, the things that come to mind are all located in the province of Ontario. Ontario has the highest population of any province in the country, and is the heart of Canadian tourism. As the home of Toronto, Niagara Falls and Lake Superior, this area is a major tourist destination.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBritish Columbia $0.00Ontario $211
The average daily cost (per person) in British Columbia is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Ontario is $211. 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 Ontario in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBritish Columbia -Ontario $112
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBritish Columbia $0.00Ontario $224
Compare Hotels in British Columbia and Ontario
Looking for a hotel in British Columbia or Ontario? 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 -Ontario $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in British Columbia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in British Columbia:
- Private Transfer, Langley, BC to Vancouver International Airport-VIP Sedan: $280
- Private Transfer from Vancouver (YVR) Airport to Vancouver City: $270
- Private Transfer, Vancouver Intl. Airport to Vancouver, BC - VIP, SEDAN : $250
- Private Port Transfer Canada Place Cruise Terminal to Richmond BC: $225
- Transfer from Vancouver Downtown to Whistler: $220
- Private Transfer, Vancouver, BC to Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal, VIP SUV : $210
- Private Transfer, Vancouver, BC to Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal, VIP SEDAN : $210
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Downtown: $200
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Mount Washington - Round-Trip Transfer: $186
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $186
- Private Transfer from Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Whistler: $166
- Arrival Private Transfer: Vancouver Airport YVR to Vancouver in Luxury Car: $163
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ontario
Also for Ontario, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Niagara Falls, ON to Pearson Int’l Airport (YYZ): $134
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Luxury Van: $157
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto Airport YYZ to Niagara Falls in Business Car: $293
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto YYZ Airport to Toronto City by SUV or Minibus: $76
- Arrival Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Luxury SUV: $174
- Arrival Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Sedan Car: $152
- Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by SUV or Minibus: $66
- Departure Private Transfer: Niagara Falls to Toronto Airport YYZ in Luxury SUV: $195
- Departure Private Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ in Luxury Car: $152
- Departure Private Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ in Luxury Van: $133
- Hamilton to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Niagara Buffalo Airport Departure: Private Transfer to Buffalo Niagara Airport: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into British Columbia or Ontario?
Prices for flights to both Ontario 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 -Ontario $46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in British Columbia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in British Columbia.
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $59
- Victoria Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $73
- Downtown Kelowna Walking Food Tour with 7 Tastings and Drinks: $74
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- Kelowna Top 5 Food Tour with Drinks: $89
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
- Okanagan Valley Wine Tasting with Sunset Dinner : $133
- Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
- VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138
- Finer Things Dinner Tour in Whistler: $144
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ontario
For Ontario, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Toronto Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market: $66
- Must Do Toronto Food Tour: $66
- Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $71
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Kensington Market -Toronto's Neighborhood International Food Tour: $80
- European Evening Walking Food Tour in London, Ontario: $93
- Walking Food Tour in Niagara Falls: $108
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $109
- Light up The Falls Small Group Tour with Fallsview Dinner: $155
- Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour With Boat Cruise & Dinner (optional): $155
- Sunset Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Dinner: $178
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.British Columbia -Ontario $22
Tours and Activities in British Columbia
Here are a few actual costs in British Columbia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guided Bike /E-bike Tour in Whistler From Vancouver: $219
- Sunshine Coast Escape (Around Vancouver) Small Group Tour: $145
- 2 Days Leavenworth Christmastown Tour from Vancouver (Chn&Eng): $192
- 2 Hour Coastal Sunset Tour By Boat: $100
- 2 Hour Evening Adventure Kayaking Tour: $71
- 2 Hour Late Afternoon Winter Zipline Adventure: $111
- 3-Hour Bike Tour of Victoria City & the Coastal Shoreside: $77
- 3-Hour Kelowna Farm to Table Lunch and Winery Private Experience: $37
- 4 hour Covered Boat Whale and Wildlife Tour: $179
- 6 Hour Whale Watching Tour With Lunch Included: $221
- 6 hour Covered Boat Whale Watching Tour: $249
- 6 hour Zodiac Whale Watching Tour: $228
Tours and Activities in Ontario
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ontario.
- Downtown Toronto Walking Tour: $4.46
- Graffiti in Toronto Walking Tour: $4.46
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Bracebridge & Toronto: $6.31
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Huntsville & Toronto: $6.31
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Collingwood and Toronto: $6.31
- Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.68
- Explore Canada's Metropolis with Walking Tours Through Toronto: $6.68
- A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
- Ottawa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Crazy Dash: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Ottawa by Operation City Quest: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBritish Columbia -Ontario $19
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:
- Whistler Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience: $66
- Kelowna Snow E-Biking Adventure with Lunch, Wine Tasting & S'mores: $74
- 3-Hour Street Art & Craft Beer Tour of Victoria, Brewery Tour & Tasting included: $101
- Lake Country Scenic Wine Tour With Wine Tasting Experience: $104
- Kelowna Wine Tour on an E-Bike with Lunch: $111
- Lake Country Half Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $118
- Kelowna or West Kelowna Afternoon Sightseeing Wine Tour: $118
- East Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $118
- Sunset Sip Wine Tour : $118
- West Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries : $119
- Victoria, BC: Food & Wine Tour to the Cowichan Valley: $121
- Half-Day Lake Country Wine Tour: $126
Sample the Local Flavors in Ontario
Also in Ontario, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $27
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $38
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation : $56
- Small Group Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tasting Tour: $96
- Sip, Swirl and Savour Chocolate & Wine Tour : $103
- 3.5 Hours NOTL E-Bike Wine Tour: $111
- Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour: $119
- Toronto to Niagara Wine Tour : $133
- Full-Day Group Wine Tour (with cheese and charcuterie) in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $141
- Relaxing three courses Lunch & Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $148
- myWineCountry Experience Premium Wine Tours and Tastings: $148
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between British Columbia and Ontario, we can see that Ontario is more expensive. And not only is British Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to British Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in British Columbia 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 Ontario would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ontario than you might in British Columbia.
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 Ontario Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, British Columbia or Ontario?
Ontario has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of British Columbia. When comparing the sizes of British Columbia and Ontario, 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.