Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Gainesville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Gainesville or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Vancouver, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Gainesville or Vancouver?
Gainesville
Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.
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 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGainesville $221Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Gainesville is $221, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $141. 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 Gainesville and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGainesville $119Vancouver $87
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGainesville $238Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Gainesville and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Gainesville 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: Gainesville Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gainesville $40Vancouver $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
-
SkyTrain from Airport$6.35
-
Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
-
15 min Taxi Ride$8.71
-
SkyTrain DayPass$6.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
- Vancouver Airport-Cypress/Grouse Mountain Private Transfer: $38
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to White Rock - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Canada Place Port - Arrival Transfer: $55
- City Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $61
- Vancouver to Victoria: Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
- Vancouver to Victoria, Coach Bus Transfer: $74
- Private Transfer from Canada Place Cruise Terminal to any Hotel: $74
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Whistler - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Vancouver to Victoria - Vancouver Hotel Pickup - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Gainesville or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Gainesville 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 dayGainesville $70Vancouver $31
Typical Food Prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:
-
Diner Breakfast for Two$17
-
Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)$24
Typical Food Prices in Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
-
All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch$8.80
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: $85
- 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
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
- Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161
- Bowen Island Dinner and Zodiac Boat Tour by Vancouver Water Adventures: $163
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gainesville $44Vancouver $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:
-
Manatee Tour for Two$98
-
Tour Guide Tip$5.00
Tours and Activities in Gainesville
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Gainesville are as follows:
- Butterfly Rainforest at Florida Museum of Natural History Ticket: $15
- Private Snorkeling Tour in Florida Springs: $250
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10
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: $4.28
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.74
- 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: $6.94
- Self-Guided Smartphone Tour of Stanley Park: $7.30
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.42
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGainesville $49Vancouver $16
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: $84
- 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
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $164
- Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
- Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167
- Full-Day Private Fraser Valley Wine Tour from Vancouver: $189
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gainesville and Vancouver, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville 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 Gainesville Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Gainesville. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville 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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville or Vancouver in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Vancouver. Many travelers come to Gainesville for the family-friendly experiences.
Gainesville is much warmer than Vancouver in the summer. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyGainesville 81°F (27°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Gainesville or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Gainesville is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gainesville in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Vancouver averages at about 11°C (51°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGainesville 71°F (22°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Gainesville or Vancouver in the Winter?
Both Vancouver and Gainesville during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Gainesville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Vancouver can be very cold. In January, Gainesville is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 54°F (12°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Gainesville usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGainesville 54°F (12°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Gainesville or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Vancouver.
Gainesville is much warmer than Vancouver in the spring. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 69°F (20°C) in April, and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilGainesville 69°F (20°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Gainesville
| Gainesville | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 63°F (17°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 69°F (20°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (139 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 71°F (22°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 63°F (17°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 56°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 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.