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

Should you visit Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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: Clearwater or Victoria?

Clearwater

Clearwater is a city in Florida's Tampa Bay area known for its sunny weather and gulf coast beaches. Its most famous beach (Clearwater Beach) is located on a barrier island with white sands and crystal waters - a perfect setting for activities such as fishing, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, dolphin and sunset tours, parasailing, and more.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Clearwater?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Clearwater is $309, 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 Clearwater and Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Clearwater $141
    Victoria $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Clearwater $282
    Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Clearwater and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Clearwater 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 Clearwater


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: Clearwater Hotel Prices and Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Clearwater $221
    Victoria $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Clearwater

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Clearwater:

  • St. Petersburg to St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
  • St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to St. Petersburg - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $127
  • St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to St. Petersburg - Arrival Private Transfer : $63
  • St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to Clearwater Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $102
  • Private Transfer from St Petersburg Clearwater Airport to St Pete Beach: $75
  • Private Transfer from Clearwater to Tampa Airport: $120
  • Private Airport Transfer to St. Petersburg or Clearwater Beach : $104
  • Clearwater Beach to Tampa Airport (TPA) - Departure Private Transfer: $87
  • Clearwater Beach to St.Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) -Departure Private Transfer: $102

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria

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

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Clearwater or Victoria?

Prices for flights to both Victoria and Clearwater 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
    Clearwater $46
    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.
    Clearwater -
    Victoria $45

Tours and Activities in Clearwater

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

  • 1-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Adventure Cruise from Madeira Beach: $28
  • 1.5 Hour Tiki Tour with Open Bar in Clearwater Beach: $49
  • 2 Hour Guided Kayak Tour in Boca Ciega Bay - St. Pete: $55
  • 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour of Downtown St Pete: $59
  • 2 Hour Sunset Cruise in Clearwater, Florida: $35
  • 2 Hours Kayak Eco Tour in Tarpon Springs: $54
  • 2-Hour Sunset Cruise Tour in St. Petersburg: $67
  • 4-Hour St. Pete Pier to Egmont Key Experience by Ferry: $67
  • 90 Minute Axe Throwing Guided Experience in Clearwater at Hatchet Hangout: $50
  • All Day Fishing Experience from John's Pass in Madeira Beach, FL - 10 Hours: $160
  • Amazing Helicopter Tour of Treasure Island, John's Pass, Don CeSar Resort & Bay: $126
  • Brief History of Tarpon Springs - Guided Golf Cart Tour: $45

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
    Clearwater -
    Victoria $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Clearwater

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Clearwater:

  • The Tour and Wine Tasting Experience at Aspirations Winery: $20

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 Clearwater and Victoria, we can see that Clearwater is more expensive. And not only is Victoria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Victoria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Victoria 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 Clearwater would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Clearwater than you might in Victoria.

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


Which is Bigger, Clearwater or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Clearwater. When comparing the sizes of Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater or Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria and Clearwater during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Clearwater because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Clearwater is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Clearwater average around 82°F (28°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. Clearwater usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Clearwater gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Clearwater 82°F (28°C) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Clearwater or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Clearwater and Victoria. The shopping scene are the main draw to Clearwater this time of year.

Clearwater is much warmer than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Clearwater averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In October, Clearwater usually receives around the same amount of rain as Victoria. Clearwater gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Clearwater is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Clearwater 75°F (24°C) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Clearwater or Victoria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Clearwater as well as Victoria. Many travelers come to Clearwater for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Victoria can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Clearwater is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Clearwater in January average around 60°F (15°C), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).

It's quite rainy in Victoria. Clearwater usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Clearwater gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Clearwater 60°F (15°C) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Clearwater or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and Clearwater are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Clearwater in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Clearwater is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Clearwater average around 71°F (22°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Clearwater usually receives more rain than Victoria. Clearwater gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Clearwater.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Clearwater 71°F (22°C) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Clearwater

Clearwater Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 60°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 61°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 67°F (19°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 71°F (22°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 77°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 75°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 68°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)