A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chapel Hill vs. Victoria for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Victoria?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Victoria? 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: Chapel Hill or Victoria?

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a college town in North Carolina that, together with Raleigh and Durham, makes up the Research Triangle area. The town is 28 miles northwest of Raleigh and 12 miles southwest of Durham. Chapel Hill dates back to 1819 when it was founded to support the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With a population of just over 52,000, Chapel Hill has the vibe of a small college town with the amenities of a larger community. It's proximity to both Raleigh and Durham give it an economic boost that provides economic diversity and security.

Victoria

The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Chapel Hill?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Chapel Hill is $164, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $182. 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 Chapel Hill and Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chapel Hill $95
    Victoria $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chapel Hill $190
    Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Chapel Hill and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Chapel Hill or Victoria? 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 Chapel Hill


Hotels in Victoria


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: Chapel Hill Hotel Prices and Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chapel Hill $34
    Victoria $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria

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

  • Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria: $206
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $74
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $87
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Hotel Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
  • Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
  • Seaplane Transfer between Victoria and Whistler: $219

Is it cheaper to fly into Chapel Hill or Victoria?

Prices for flights to both Victoria and Chapel Hill 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
    Chapel Hill $49
    Victoria $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Victoria

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

  • Chocolate Lovers Food Tour: $44
  • Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $58
  • Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $59
  • Victoria Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $73
  • Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $146

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chapel Hill $17
    Victoria $45

Tours and Activities in Chapel Hill

Here are a few actual costs in Chapel Hill for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 8 Hours Private Crystal Coast Sightseeing in North Carolina: $275
  • Carolina History & Haunts Greensboro Historical Ghost Tour: $20
  • Chapel Hill Historic Churches Tour: $16
  • Chapel Hill, NC: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
  • Coastal Excursion/Sunset Cruise/Sand Dollars/Sea Shells/Horses: $225
  • Morning Aerial Adventure Adult Course from Riegelwood: $55
  • Raleigh Guided E-Bike Tour: Burgers, Brews, and History too: $107
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Greensboro by Zombie Scavengers: $20

Tours and Activities in Victoria

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

  • Victoria self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.28
  • Victoria Harbor: Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • 2.5-hour Tips-Based City Walking Tour: $6.58
  • Victoria, BC: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $11
  • Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $13
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Experience Victoria by Foot Walking Tour: $15
  • Butterfly Gardens Admission Ticket: $15
  • Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $16
  • Cultural & Historical Victoria Walking Tour: $16
  • Malahat SkyWalk General Admission Tickets: $29
  • Experience Victoria City Tour: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chapel Hill $40
    Victoria $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Chapel Hill

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chapel Hill:

  • Wacky Fayetteville Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:

  • Guided Pub Crawl with Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $48
  • 3-Hour Street Art & Craft Beer Tour of Victoria, Brewery Tour & Tasting included: $101
  • Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $134
  • Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $439


When comparing the travel costs between Chapel Hill and Victoria, we can see that Victoria is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill and Victoria, 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 Chapel Hill or Victoria?

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 Chapel Hill or Victoria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Victoria. Most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Chapel Hill is much warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Chapel Hill receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Chapel Hill 79°F (26°C) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Victoria in the Autumn?

Both Victoria and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chapel Hill in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In October, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Victoria. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Chapel Hill 61°F (16°C) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and Chapel Hill during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chapel Hill this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Victoria. It's quite cold in Chapel Hill in the winter. In January, Chapel Hill is generally around the same temperature as Victoria. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 40°F (5°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Victoria gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chapel Hill usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Chapel Hill 40°F (5°C) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Victoria in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Victoria.

Chapel Hill is much warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Victoria. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Chapel Hill 60°F (16°C) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)