Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Cardiff?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cardiff or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cardiff or Vancouver? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Cardiff or Vancouver?
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, and a major port on the country's southern coast. Though Cardiff boomed with the coal industry during the Industrial Revolution, the city began its history as a Roman fort on the River Taff-perhaps taking its name from a combination of the Welsh word for fort (caer) and the name of the river (Taff). The fort still stands today along with many other landmarks that attract tourists each year.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, 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 dayCardiff £156Vancouver £113
The average daily cost (per person) in Cardiff is £156, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is £113. 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 Cardiff and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCardiff £93Vancouver £70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCardiff £186Vancouver £140
Compare Hotels in Cardiff and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Cardiff 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: Cardiff Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cardiff £21Vancouver £9.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cardiff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cardiff:
- Cardiff Airport (CWL): Transfer to Cardiff Accommodation: $140
- Private Transfer from Mold to Manchester Airport (MAN): $125
- Private Transfer from Holyhead Port to Manchester Airport (MAN): $102
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cardiff Airport CWL to Cardiff by Luxury Vehicle: $96
- Departure Private Transfer from Cardiff to Cardiff Airport CWL by Luxury Vehicle: $96
- Cardiff Private Transfer from Cardiff Airport to City centre: $79
- Newport Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Private Cardiff Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport: $58
- Private Cardiff Arrival Transfer- Airport to Hotel / Accommodation : $58
- Cardiff to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Barry Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Cardiff: $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport£5.12
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown£17
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15 min Taxi Ride£7.02
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SkyTrain DayPass£5.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Vancouver YVR or Cruise Port to Vancouver by SUV: $120
- Arrival Private Transfer: Vancouver Airport YVR to Vancouver in Luxury Car: $163
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $93
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $186
- Canada Place Cruise Port: Transfer to Vancouver hotels: $428
- Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury Car: $163
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury SUV: $133
- Maximize Your Cruise Adventure: Vancouver Tour & Transfer: $292
- Mount Washington to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Transfer: $93
- Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Cardiff or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Cardiff 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 dayCardiff £44Vancouver £25
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£7.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $94
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
- 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
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
- Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cardiff £25Vancouver £29
Tours and Activities in Cardiff
Here are a few actual costs in Cardiff for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 30 Minute Archery Experience in Llangollen: $19
- 30 Minute Axe Throwing Experience in Llangollen: $19
- A Journey through Tudor A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- A Silent Disco Adventure in Cardiff: $22
- Canoe Aqueduct tours Llangollen: $76
- Canyoning with Beezra Experiences in South Wales: $89
- Cardiff All in One Walking Tour: $62
- Cardiff Bay Boat Tour: $15
- Cardiff Bay Private Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Cardiff Bay: Highlights Private Guided Tour: $188
- Cardiff Bay: Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $38
- Cardiff City Private Guided Walking Tour: $178
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Vancouver self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.31
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.75
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.82
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Fort Langley: a Film & Television Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.19
- Cycling the Seawall: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Along the Stanley Park Seawall: $5.46
- Historic Walking Tours of Vancouver with Then & Now Images!: $6.68
- Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.68
- Vancouver Downtown: Espionage Adventure Outdoor Escape Game: $6.99
- Self-Guided Smartphone Tour of Stanley Park: $7.31
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCardiff £13Vancouver £13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cardiff
Also in Cardiff, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Gin Tour at Hensol Castle Distillery: $32
- Cardiff Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
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
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $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
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $165
- Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
- Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cardiff and Vancouver, we can see that Cardiff is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cardiff is in Europe and Vancouver is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Vancouver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vancouver 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 Cardiff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cardiff than you might in Vancouver.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cardiff Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Cardiff. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Vancouver?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Cardiff or Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver and Cardiff during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cardiff for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Cardiff is generally around the same temperature as Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 17°C (63°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Vancouver, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cardiff. In the summer, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Vancouver. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.
Cardiff usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCardiff 17°C (63°F)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Vancouver in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Vancouver. The autumn months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Cardiff is around the same temperature as Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cardiff gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCardiff 11°C (52°F)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Vancouver. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Vancouver. It's quite cold in Cardiff in the winter. In the winter, Cardiff is cooler than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cardiff in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Cardiff often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Cardiff usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCardiff 3°C (38°F)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Vancouver in the Spring?
Both Vancouver and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Cardiff is generally around the same temperature as Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 9°C (48°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Cardiff usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver during spring. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In April, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCardiff 9°C (48°F)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Cardiff
| Cardiff | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 80 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 96 mm (3.8 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.