Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Charlottesville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Charlottesville or Victoria?
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 Charlottesville and Victoria. 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: Charlottesville or Victoria?
Charlottesville
Located in central Virginia, Charlottesville is a little university town steeped in history and culture. Home to Thomas Jefferson, much of the town's architecture is heavily influenced by his hand, while the people scene is full of activities, dining, and entertainment. Many visitors are drawn to the area for the University of Virginia, the Historic Downtown Mall, plus many quaint vineyards and farms in the surrounding countryside.
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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCharlottesville $154Victoria $182
The average daily cost (per person) in Charlottesville is $154, 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 Charlottesville and Victoria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCharlottesville $80Victoria $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCharlottesville $160Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Charlottesville and Victoria
Looking for a hotel in Charlottesville 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.
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: Charlottesville Hotel Prices and Victoria Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Charlottesville $53Victoria $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlottesville
Also for Charlottesville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria
Also for Victoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Seaplane Transfer between Victoria and Whistler: $219
- Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria: $206
- 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 - Coach Bus Transfer: $74
- Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Charlottesville or Victoria?
Prices for flights to both Victoria and Charlottesville 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 dayCharlottesville $42Victoria $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charlottesville
For Charlottesville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The UVA Corner Food Tour: Private Walking Food Tour in Charlottesville: $139
- The Downtown Mall Food Tour: $149
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Charlottesville $18Victoria $45
Tours and Activities in Charlottesville
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlottesville.
- Charlottesville Dark History Ghost Tour : $30
- Charlottesville Historic Downtown APP/GPS Smartphone Walking Tour: $7.75
- Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour: $26
- Shenandoah National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour: $17
Tours and Activities in Victoria
For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3-Hour Bike Tour of Victoria City & the Coastal Shoreside: $77
- 60-Minute Beacon Hill Park Tour: $204
- 75-Minute The Royal Tour: $245
- 90-Minute The Capital Tour: $286
- Beacon Hill Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Victoria: $204
- Bike 3-hour City Highlights Tour & coastal ride: $94
- Butchart & Beyond: The Grand Victoria Tour: $329
- COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix: $98
- Castles, Hoods & Legends - Bike Tour: $51
- Cultural & Historical Victoria Walking Tour: $16
- Downtown Victoria Food & City Tour: $59
- Evening Sip, Savor, Stroll Tour: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCharlottesville $53Victoria $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Charlottesville
Also in Charlottesville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi : $85
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charlottesville and Victoria, we can see that Victoria is more expensive. And not only is Charlottesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charlottesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlottesville 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 Victoria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Victoria than you might in Charlottesville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charlottesville Expensive? and Is Victoria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Victoria?
Victoria has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville or Victoria?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Charlottesville or Victoria in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Victoria. The summer months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Charlottesville is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlottesville in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Victoria averages at about 16°C (60°F).
Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Victoria. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCharlottesville 78°F (26°C)Victoria 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Charlottesville or Victoria in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Victoria. The hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.
In October, Charlottesville is generally a little warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 59°F (15°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Charlottesville usually gets more rain in October than Victoria. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCharlottesville 59°F (15°C)Victoria 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Charlottesville or Victoria in the Winter?
Both Victoria and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.
Victoria can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is much colder than Victoria in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 36°F (2°C) in January, and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Victoria. In January, Charlottesville usually receives less rain than Victoria. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCharlottesville 36°F (2°C)Victoria 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Charlottesville or Victoria in the Spring?
Both Victoria and Charlottesville during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Charlottesville is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlottesville in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Victoria averages at about 10°C (49°F).
Charlottesville usually gets more rain in April than Victoria. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCharlottesville 58°F (14°C)Victoria 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Victoria and Charlottesville
| Charlottesville | Victoria | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (83 mm) | 5°C (41°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 58°F (14°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 14°C (58°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) | 16°C (61°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 11°C (52°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 8°C (46°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 5°C (42°F) | 153 mm (6 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.