Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Edinburgh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Edinburgh or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Vancouver can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Edinburgh or Vancouver?
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the moderately sized capital of Scotland. It is a medieval city that has managed to perfect the combination of Georgian architecture and medieval relics with a cosmopolitan population and avant-garde atmosphere. The city's population is quite young, in large part because of the University of Edinburgh. This youthful vibe gives this city a lot of vitality. There's a thriving nightlife, many restaurants, theatres, galleries and museums.
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 The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, 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 dayEdinburgh £142Vancouver £113
The average daily cost (per person) in Edinburgh is £142, 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 Edinburgh and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEdinburgh £74Vancouver £70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEdinburgh £148Vancouver £140
Compare Hotels in Edinburgh and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Edinburgh 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: Edinburgh Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Edinburgh £17Vancouver £9.51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:
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Local Bus£3.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh
Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Edinburgh to Inverness Direct transfer: $784
- From Loch Ness Private Day Tour with Transfers: $753
- Private Tour with transfer from Newhaven Cruise Port to Glasgow.: $298
- Edinburgh To The Gleneagles Hotel | Executive Transfer: $291
- Private Transfer from Edinburgh to Gleneagles Hotel : $280
- Private Luxury Transfer Edinburgh (One Way - 7 Passengers): $257
- Central Edinburgh Hotels to Edinburgh Airport Transfers 1-3: $256
- Edinburgh to Stirling | Executive Transfer: $254
- Edinburgh Train Station to Edinburgh Hotel Transfers 1-3 Pax: $251
- Edinburgh to Gleneagles Luxury Taxi Transfer: $242
- Edinburgh to Glasgow Luxury Car Transfer: $242
- Glasgow to Edinburgh Luxury Car Transfer: $232
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:
- Yvr Airport to Whistler and Whistler to Yvr Airport transfers: $111
- White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver and Tofino: $248
- Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Nanaimo: $108
- Private Transfer from YVR Airport To Whistler: $511
- City Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $61
- Vancouver, BC: Scenic Seaplane Transfer to Seattle, WA: $258
- Vancouver to Victoria: Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
- Vancouver to Victoria, Coach Bus Transfer: $74
- Vancouver to Victoria - Vancouver Hotel Pickup - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
- Vancouver to Victoria - Vancouver Cruise Terminal Pickup - Coach Bus Transfer: $87
- Vancouver hotels to Canada Place Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Edinburgh or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Edinburgh 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 dayEdinburgh £39Vancouver £25
Typical Food Prices in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast£8.50
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Dinner at Filling Station£10
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Lunch for Two£15
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Sandwich£1.85
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Cheese & bread£7.23
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Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)£25
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2 Coffees and Scones£5.80
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Turkish Delight£1.40
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Soup at the Pub£5.90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $31
- Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $33
- Scottish Dinner and Folk Music Experience: $88
- Edinburgh Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
- Edinburgh Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
- Edinburgh Food Tour: $100
- 'Scotland meets Sardinia' - 8-course Dinner in Leith, Edinburgh: $110
- 3-Hour Guided Secret Food Tour: $116
- Edinburgh Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $121
- The 10 Tastings of Edinburgh With Locals: Private Food Tour: $162
- Edinburgh Food Tour with a Local Foodie Custom & Private: $188
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.Edinburgh £20Vancouver £29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Show Tickets£32
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Movie Tickets for Two£12
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Donation for Storytellers£6.00
Tours and Activities in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Edinburgh's Landscapes Tours with a Local Guide: Private & Personalized: $153
- 1-Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh: $79
- 1.5 hour Firth of Forth Sightseeing cruise: $23
- 2-Day Highlands and Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh: $261
- 2-Day Loch Lomond, West Highlands, Glencoe & Oban Tour: $183
- 3 Hours Edinburgh City Highlights Private Walking Tour: $273
- 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh: $234
- 3-Hour Private Edinburgh Castle Tour: $275
- Afternoon Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour 1:15, 3:15, 5:15: $19
- Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh: $72
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland & Scottish Borders 1-Day Tour: $74
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland and Borders Tour with Admission: $103
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Guided Bike /E-bike Tour in Whistler From Vancouver: $219
- Sunshine Coast Escape (Around Vancouver) Small Group Tour: $145
- $99 Vancouver 2 Hours City Tour Private: $102
- 2 Days Leavenworth Christmastown Tour from Vancouver (Chn&Eng): $192
- 2-in-1 Vancouver city Tour: $234
- 3-Day Vancouver City Tour Package With Whistler & Victoria: $2,413
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $456
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $583
- 4-Hour Private Tour of Vancouver's Gardens: $334
- 5 Days in Vancouver Multiactivity Adventure Tour: $2,413
- 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $710
- 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $837
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEdinburgh £15Vancouver £13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Edinburgh
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:
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Beer & Wine£14
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Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern£1.65
Sample the Local Flavors in Edinburgh
Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Free Shots & Discounts: $11
- Edinburgh Bar Crawl: 5+ Venues, Free Shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Pub Crawl in Edinburgh: $19
- Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour with "Real-Actors": $25
- East Lothian: Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting: $26
- Guided Gin Tasting at 56 North Distillery: $28
- Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots: $31
- Whisky Tasting and Tales at Summerhall Distillery: $31
- Lind & Lime Gin Distillery Tour & Tasting: $31
- Pickering's Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour: $31
- Visit a Working South Loch Gin Distillery: $32
- The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl: $32
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 Edinburgh and Vancouver, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Vancouver?
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 Edinburgh or Vancouver in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Vancouver. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year.
In July, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 14°C (58°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vancouver this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Vancouver during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vancouver. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEdinburgh 14°C (58°F)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Edinburgh or Vancouver in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Vancouver. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Edinburgh is cooler than Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Vancouver. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Edinburgh usually gets less rain in October than Vancouver. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEdinburgh 10°C (49°F)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Edinburgh or Vancouver in the Winter?
Both Vancouver and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Vancouver can be very cold during winter. Edinburgh can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Edinburgh is cooler than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in Edinburgh in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).
Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Vancouver during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In January, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEdinburgh 3°C (38°F)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Edinburgh or Vancouver in the Spring?
Both Vancouver and Edinburgh during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 7°C (45°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Vancouver. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun.
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Vancouver. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEdinburgh 7°C (45°F)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Edinburgh
| Edinburgh | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 10°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 14°C (58°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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.