A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America California vs. Virginia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit California or Virginia?

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 California and Virginia. 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: California or Virginia?

California

California is the most populous state in the U.S. and is known for a variety of attractions such as Hollywood, warm beaches, the San Francisco bay area, Redwood trees, national parks, and stunning mountain vistas. With a variety of locations and activities to offer, California has become one of the premier travel destinations in the world.

Virginia

One of the original thirteen British colonies, Virginia is a place of rich history and varied environments. You might explore the historic settlement of Colonial Williamsburg, dive into the current culture of its major cities, or get lost in nature along the coast or in the scenic landscape of the Appalachian Mountains. There's a little something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Virginia or California?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • California Prices
    USA Prices
    Virginia Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    California $283
    Virginia $0.00

The average daily cost (per person) in California is $283, while the average daily cost in Virginia is $0.00. 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 California and Virginia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    California $116
    Virginia -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    California $232
    Virginia $0.00
Compare Hotels in California and Virginia

Looking for a hotel in California or Virginia? 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.

Hotels in California


Hotels in Virginia


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    California $42
    Virginia -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in California

Also for California, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • San Francisco Airport Transfer to SFO City (Special Offer): $31
  • Private Arrival Transfer from John Wayne Orange County Airport SNA: $32
  • Private Departure Transfer San Fransisco City to SFO Airport: $34
  • Shared ride Arrival Transfer John Wayne airport to Anaheim hotels: $36
  • Shared Airport Departure Transfer Anaheim and Orange County to John Wayne Airport: $36
  • Private Departure Transfer to Los Angeles Airport LAX: $39
  • Los Angeles to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
  • Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Los Angeles - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
  • Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Anaheim - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in San Diego HTL-APT(SAN): $47
  • Los Angeles Airport(LAX)to Los Angeles - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
  • Private Transfer- San Francisco Airport (SFO) to Cruise Terminal: $48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Virginia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Virginia:

  • Richmond City to Richmond Airport (RIC) - Departure Private Transfer: $171
  • Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond city - Arrival Private Transfer: $171
  • Private transfer to or from Reston and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $230
  • Private Transfer To or From Reston and Dulles International Airport: $205
  • Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
  • Bamville Transportation (Private & Airport Transfers): $275
  • Airport Transfer to or from Mclean, VA and Reagan Airport(DCA): $215
  • Airport Transfer to or from Mclean, VA and Dulles Airport: $225

Is it cheaper to fly into California or Virginia?

Prices for flights to both Virginia and California 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    California $79
    Virginia -

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in California

For California, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 2 Hour Ravioli Cooking Class With Local Chef in San Diego : $60
  • Italian Pasta Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in San Diego: $60
  • Melting Pot of the Mission District Food Tour: $70
  • Santa Monica Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
  • Wonton Cooking Class with a talented chef in Sacramento: $75
  • Pad Thai Cooking Class with a talented chef in San Diego: $75
  • Pirates Dinner Adventure Buena Park: $76
  • Encinitas Food Tour: $78
  • Carlsbad Food Tour and Wine Tasting: $78
  • Tijuana Street Food Tour for Foodies: $79
  • North Park San Diego Walking Food Tour: $85
  • Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Virginia

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Virginia.

  • The Dairy Market Food Tour: $75
  • The Carytown Food Tour with Discover Richmond Tours: $85
  • Church Hill Food Tour with Discover Richmond Tours: $85
  • Arts District Food Tour in Richmond with Discover Richmond: $90
  • Delicious Pizza & Ice Cream Tour of Richmond: $94
  • Norfolk Buffet Dinner Cruise : $121
  • Roanoke Ebike Food Tour: $150
  • Norfolk Father's Day Buffet Dinner Cruise: $181
  • Norfolk 4th of July Buffet Dinner Cruise: $182

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    California $65
    Virginia -

Tours and Activities in California

For California, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Walking Tour in Los Angeles' Best-Kept Secrets: $3.47
  • San Francisco Uncovered Self-Guided Adventure: $3.47
  • Self-Guided Golden Gate Bridge Bike or Walking App Tour: $5.00
  • Los Angeles: Los Angeles Chargers Football Game Ticket: $5.84
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Golden Gate Bridge: $5.99
  • The Heart of Los Angeles’ Dreamland: A Self-Guide Tour in Culver City: $5.99
  • Gold Rush and Ghosts of Sacramento Smart Phone guided (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $6.75
  • The Ghosts of San Francisco Haunted Audio App Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Avalon City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Essential Downtown SLO: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Discover UCSD: A Self-Guided Tour for Students, Parents and Staff: $6.99
  • Los Angeles Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.46

Tours and Activities in Virginia

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Virginia are as follows:

  • Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Stories and Walking Tour: $25
  • Experience Williamsburg with Walking Tour: $6.75
  • 1 Hour Christmastide Walking Tour in Virginia Past and Present : $25
  • 2-Hour Private Guided The best of Williamsburg Walking Tour: $175
  • 3-Hour E-Bike Sightseeing and Breweries Tour in Roanoke: $109
  • Autumn E-Bike Tour: $92
  • Battles of Bull Run Private Battlefield Tour: $299
  • Blue Ridge Mountain E Bike Tour: $155
  • Blue Ridge Mountain: E-bike Tour: $145
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Roanoke to Afton) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Guided Audio Tour Bundle: $25
  • Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    California $21
    Virginia -

Sample the Local Flavors in California

Also in California, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Private Self Guided Tour and Bar Crawl in Chinatown San Francisco: $5.00
  • Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Long Beach Boss Bar Crawl: $12
  • Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
  • Calaveras and Tuolumne Digital Wine Tasting Pass: $19
  • Gaslamp Bar Crawl: $20
  • Vintner's Private Wine Tasting Experience: $20
  • San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $27
  • San Diego Small-Group Gaslamp History Tour Pub Crawl: $30
  • Paso Robles Sonata(Red Blend) Flight Wine Tasting : $30
  • Paso Robles Aria (Syrah Dominant) Flight Wine Tasting : $30
  • Wine Tasting Audio Tour - Lodi California: $35
  • Drag Bar Crawl with Drink in Los Angeles : $39

Sample the Local Flavors in Virginia

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Virginia:

  • Colonial Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $27
  • Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $28
  • The Murder Tour and Pub Crawl: $48
  • Richmond Craft Brewery Crawl By Junket: $65
  • Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi : $85
  • Brewery Tour of Richmond, VA: $90
  • 5 Hour Historic Thomas Jefferson Wine Tour: $235
  • Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour: $235


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between California and Virginia, we can see that California is more expensive. And not only is Virginia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia 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 California would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in California than you might in Virginia.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is California Expensive? and Is Virginia Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, California or Virginia?

California has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Virginia. When comparing the sizes of California and Virginia, 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.