Which place is cheaper, British Columbia or Hawaii?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hawaii or British Columbia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hawaii or British Columbia? 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: Hawaii or British Columbia?
Hawaii
Located towards the center of the Pacific Ocean and the northeast corner of Polynesia, Hawai'i is the 50th state of the United States of America. It is a major tourist destination for travelers from around the world and as such, its economy is very dependent on the tourist dollar. Historically, the state had strong whaling, sugar and pineapple industries, but today tourism and the military make up a significant part of the economy. The state includes many islands that spread over 1,500 miles, but there are eight main islands which have a diversity of natural beauty and interesting landscapes. The islands offer visitors many impressive features from the beautiful beaches to the lush interior. There is a lot of hiking, snorkeling and scuba diving available throughout the islands. The capital of the state is Honolulu, which is also the largest city. Both Hawaiian and English are spoken throughout.
British Columbia
The westernmost province in Canada, British Columbia, is four times the size of Great Britain with less than one tenth of the population. This is due to the vast mountain ranges just ready to be tackled including the Rockies, Selkirks and the Coastal Range. With vibrant cities and ambitious outdoor activities, British Columbia is ready for any traveler.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.
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Hawaii Prices
USA PricesBritish Columbia Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHawaii $393British Columbia $173,509
The average daily cost (per person) in Hawaii is $393, while the average daily cost in British Columbia is $173,509. 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 Hawaii and British Columbia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHawaii $214British Columbia $93,574
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHawaii $428British Columbia $
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186
Compare Hotels in Hawaii and British Columbia
Looking for a hotel in Hawaii or British Columbia? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hawaii $37British Columbia $12,929
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hawaii
Also for Hawaii, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Departure - Private Transfer Waikiki Hotel to Airport: $50
- Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle From Ko'olina To Honolulu Airport: $53
- Explore Waikiki: Self Guided tour from Ko Olina with transfers: $42
- HNL Airport & Waikiki Private Transfer by Brand New Mercedes Van: $160
- Honolulu / Waikiki to Honolulu Airport (HNL) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Honolulu Airport & Ko Olina Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(14 ppl): $170
- Honolulu Airport & KoOlina Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 People): $180
- Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 people): $130
- Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(up to 14ppl): $140
- Honolulu Airport (HNL) to Honolulu / Waikiki - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $49
- Honolulu Airport (HNL) to Honolulu/ Waikiki - Round-Trip Transfer: $102
Hired Cars and Shuttles in British Columbia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in British Columbia:
- YVR Airport Transfer to Cruise Terminal and Hotels City Highlight: $180
- Whitewater Rafting from Vancouver with Lunch and Transfers: $288
- White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $105
- Whistler to Vancouver Scenic Seaplane Transfer: One Way: $262
- Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $66
- Vancouver: Airport Transfer to Downtown Vancouver: $108
- Vancouver to Whistler Scenic Seaplane Transfer: One Way: $256
- Vancouver to Canada Place Cruise Port Departure Private Transfer: $84
- Vancouver hotels to Canada Place Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $118
- Vancouver hotel/address to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Vancouver Private Cruise Ship Transfer: $253
- Vancouver Cruise Ship to/from YVR Airport.Hotel Private Transfer: $216
Is it cheaper to fly into Hawaii or British Columbia?
Prices for flights to both British Columbia and Hawaii 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 dayHawaii $128British Columbia $62,931
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hawaii
For Hawaii, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour of Kaua'i: $125
- Honolulu: Pacific Star Sunset Dinner Cruise and Show: $139
- Maui Farm to Taco: A Farm to Table Cooking Class: $149
- Walking Food Tour Exploring Hanalei: $149
- Maui Ma'alaea Sunset Prime Rib or Fresh Island Fish Dinner Cruise: $150
- Honolulu: Off The Beaten Path Food Tour: $150
- Maui Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach: $166
- Maui: Coast of Ka'anapali Beach Sunset Dinner Sail: $167
- Maui Sunset Dinner Cruise - A Hawaiian Hula Experience: $168
- Maui Premium Dinner Cruise: Four Course Dining Experience: $170
- Kauai: Luau Ka Hikina Admission with Dinner and Lei Greeting: $175
- Authentic Hawaiian Dinner Pa'ina with Natives in Hana: $185
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in British Columbia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in British Columbia.
- Fun Sushi Making Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Vancouver: $61
- Kelowna Top 5 Food Tour with Drinks: $86
- Kelowna: #1 Rated Walking Food Tour with 7 Tastings and 4 Drinks: $87
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $93
- A Wok Around Granville Island Public Market Food Tour: $108
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $120
- Vancouver Private Food Tour: Taste 6+ Local Dishes & Fresh Sushi: $135
- Vancouver Chinatown Tour and Dumpling-Making Cooking Class: $135
- Whistler's Finer Things: 4-Course Dinner & Champagne Sabering: $157
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hawaii $38British Columbia $11,079
Tours and Activities in Hawaii
For Hawaii, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kona Coffee Farm Tour from Tree to Tasting Room: $5.00
- Explore the USS Arizona Today Virtual Reality Experience: $6.99
- Downtown Honolulu Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
- Official Diamond Head Self-Guided Narrated Hiking Tour: $8.99
- Skies Over Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Experience: $11
- Official Pearl Harbor Commander's Self-Guided Multimedia Tour: $12
- Maui Beach Parks Self-Guided Driving Tour: $13
- Official Pearl Harbor Captain's Self-Guided Multimedia Tour: $14
- Discover Honolulu: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour in Honolulu: $15
- Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tour: Guaranteed or come again free: $15
- Ultimate Self-Driving Audio Tour of Road to Hana, Maui: $15
Tours and Activities in British Columbia
Here are a few actual costs in British Columbia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours Private Tour of City of Vancouver: $144
- 2 Hours Private Tour of Stanley Park Vancouver: $129
- 2 Hours eBike Tour in Whistler with Local Guide: $108
- 24 Hour Hop-On, Hop-Off Double Decker Victoria City Tour: $52
- 2hr City Highlights Private Tour in Victoria BC: $140
- 3 Hours Private Tour of City of Vancouver: $216
- 4 Hour Afternoon Whale Watching Tour: $168
- 4 Hour Morning Whale Watching Tour: $168
- 4 Hour Whale and Wildlife tour: $171
- 4 Hours Guided Mountain Bike Tour: $259
- 4 Tours Audio Adventure between Whistler & Lake Louise: $22
- 4-Hour Sailing Adventure on The Strait of Juan de Fuca: $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHawaii $19British Columbia $4,233
Sample the Local Flavors in Hawaii
Also in Hawaii, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- A Spectacular Bar Crawl in Honolulu: $15
- RHS Distillery Hand Crafted In Hawaii Spirits - Liquor Tasting: $23
- Kō Hana Hawaiian Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting for One: $25
- Oahu: Kō Hana Agricole Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting: $35
- Twilight Wine Tasting by Sea and Sunset Cruise in Honolulu: $119
- Oahu: Kō Hana Rum Deep Dive Distillery Tour with Tasting: $150
- North Shore, Kailua Distillery Brewery V.I.P circle island tour: $241
- Maui Upcountry Drive, Haleakala NP & Ocean Vodka Distillery Tour: $259
Sample the Local Flavors in British Columbia
Also in British Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Amazing Bar Crawl in Vancouver BC: $15
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $25
- Pickle Pub Crawl in Victoria's Inner Harbour: $52
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Neighbourhood Walking Tour: $64
- Victoria Craft Brewery Tour: $87
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour: $87
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour Led by a Local: $105
- 4-Hour Okanagan Valley Wine Tasting. Wineries of East Kelowna Bench.: $105
- Signature Lake Country Wine Tour: $108
- Signature West Kelowna Wine Tour: $108
- Victoria Craft Beer and Distillery Tour: $108
- West Kelowna Half Day Wine Tour- Incl. Tasting Fees & Guide Grat!: $115
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hawaii and British Columbia, we can see that British Columbia is more expensive. And not only is Hawaii much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hawaii would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hawaii 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 British Columbia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in British Columbia than you might in Hawaii.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hawaii Expensive? and Is British Columbia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Hawaii or British Columbia?
British Columbia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Hawaii. When comparing the sizes of Hawaii and British Columbia, 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.
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.