Which place is cheaper, Ontario 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 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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British Columbia Prices
Canada PricesOntario Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBritish Columbia $178,561Ontario $14,070
The average daily cost (per person) in British Columbia is $178,561, while the average daily cost in Ontario is $14,070. 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 $96,298Ontario $7,648
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBritish Columbia $
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192Ontario $
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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 $13,305Ontario $2,187
Hired Cars and Shuttles in British Columbia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in British Columbia:
- Whitewater Rafting from Vancouver with Lunch and Transfers: $294
- Private Transfer from Vancouver City to Vancouver (YVR) Airport: $293
- Vancouver Airport YVR Round-Trip Private Transfer by Luxury SUV: $275
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Mount Washington - Arrival Transfer: $269
- Mount Washington to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Transfer: $269
- Vancouver to Whistler Scenic Seaplane Transfer: One Way: $261
- Vancouver Private Cruise Ship Transfer: $258
- Vancouver International Airport and Cruise Port Private Transfer: $256
- Private Port Transfer Canada Place Cruise Terminal to Richmond BC: $253
- Whistler to Vancouver Private Transfer: $244
- Private Transfer from Vancouver Downtown to Whistler: $237
- Private Transfer from Vancouver International Airport to Whistler: $236
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ontario
Also for Ontario, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer Toronto to Niagara region: $294
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto Airport YYZ to Niagara Falls in Luxury SUV: $202
- Arrival Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto by Luxury SUV: $177
- Low Cost :- Private Transfer Toronto Downtown to Niagara Falls Ont: $261
- Low Cost:-Private Transfer: Niagara Falls Canada to Toronto Pearson Airport: $211
- One-Way Private Airport Transfer from Toronto to Pearson Airport: $66
- Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) to Ottawa - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $121
- Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) to Ottawa City - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
- Ottawa Parc Omega Private Tour with Hotel Transfer: $250
- Private Airport Transfer Pearson Airport to or from Toronto: $66
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer. Pearson Airport to Kitchener/Waterloo: $214
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 $64,763Ontario $4,512
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: $63
- Eat Like a Canadian Food Tour | Victoria Sightseeing: $81
- Kelowna: #1 Rated Walking Food Tour with 7 Tastings and 4 Drinks: $85
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $95
- Dim Sum Cooking Class with Chef Renée in Vancouver: $96
- Vancouver Gastown's Elite Walking Food Tour Experience: $106
- A Wok Around Granville Island Public Market Food Tour: $111
- Taste North Vancouver Shipyards - Food Tour with Local Eats: $115
- Vancouver Foodie Tour: Granville Island Market Food Tour: $121
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $122
- Whistler's Finer Things: 4-Course Dinner & Champagne Sabering: $169
- Vancouver Foodie Tour: Gastronomic Gastown Food Tour: $227
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ontario
For Ontario, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Fun Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Trendy Venue in Toronto: $55
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $61
- Kingston: Downtown Food Tour with 6 Tastings & Secret Dish: $64
- Toronto Express Canadian Food Tour: 90 Min with Our Founder: $64
- Toronto Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Churros, Pastries, & More: $65
- Downtown London Walking Food Tour: $65
- Great Canadian Food Tour- St. Lawrence Market + The Distillery: $72
- Taste Canada: Non-Touristy St Lawrence Market Food Tour: $73
- Toronto: Niagara Falls Night Tour, Boat, Journey, Dinner & Tower: $73
- Toronto: Authentic Food Tour with Local & International Flavors: $76
- Oh Canada Eh!? Ottawa Dinner Musical with Live Music and Comedy: $77
- Kensington Market International Food Tour: $91
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.British Columbia $11,401Ontario $1,521
Tours and Activities in British Columbia
Here are a few actual costs in British Columbia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour Private City Tour - Vancouver: $262
- 2 Hours eBike Whistler Multi-generational Tour with Local Guide: $99
- 24 Hour Hop On Hop Off Double Decker Victoria City Tour: $53
- 2hr City Highlights Private Tour in Victoria BC: $150
- 3 Hours Private Tour of City of Vancouver: $220
- 3 Star Boat at Nanaimo Area Fishing Ticket: $273
- 3.5 hour Sailing Adventure in Nanoose Bay: $147
- 4 Hour Afternoon Whale Watching Tour: $171
- 4 Hour Whale and Wildlife tour: $174
- 4 Hours Guided Mountain Bike Tour: $264
- 4 Tours Audio Adventure between Whistler & Lake Louise: $22
- 4 hr Kayak Tour around Saysutshun/NewCastle Island in Nanaimo, BC: $108
Tours and Activities in Ontario
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ontario.
- Discover Toronto: A Self-Guided Tour: $3.55
- City’s Oldest Landmarks History Walking Tour of Toronto: $4.42
- Toronto Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.42
- Ottawa Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.62
- Toronto Iconic Core and Landmarks Walking Tour: $5.00
- Ottawa City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based: $5.00
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Collingwood and Toronto: $6.63
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Bracebridge & Toronto: $6.63
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Huntsville & Toronto: $6.68
- Toronto Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 23 audio commentary: $7.00
- Ottawa Walking Tour 2h20 and 25 audio commentary: $7.00
- Ottawa Downtown Historic Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBritish Columbia $4,356Ontario $863
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: $47
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Neighbourhood Walking Tour: $69
- Vancouver Behind-the-Scenes Brewery Tour: $92
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour Led by a Local: $107
- 4-Hour Okanagan Valley Wine Tasting. Wineries of East Kelowna Bench.: $108
- Signature Lake Country Wine Tour: $110
- Victoria Craft Beer and Distillery Tour: $111
- Naramata Half Day Wine Tour (Incl. Tasting Fees & Guide Grat!): $117
- Lake Country Half Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $117
- Sunset Sip Wine Tour: $117
- East Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $117
- West Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $117
Sample the Local Flavors in Ontario
Also in Ontario, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Toronto Distillery District: Whisky Exploration Game and Tour: $8.30
- Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Astounding Bar Crawl: Take On Toronto: $15
- Between The Lines Classic Wine Tasting: $18
- Summer Sips - Private Outdoor Wine Tasting Experience: $22
- Between the Lines Black Glass Wine Tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $23
- Guided Tasting Activity at Sake Brewery: $29
- Distillery District Breakfast Tour: $54
- Private Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $59
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Transportation: $74
- Toronto Craft Brewery Tour: $92
- Relaxing Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between British Columbia and Ontario, we can see that British Columbia is more expensive. And not only is Ontario much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ontario would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ontario 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 Ontario.
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.