Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Hilo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hilo or Victoria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hilo or Victoria? 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: Hilo or Victoria?
Hilo
Hilo is a town on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is also the county seat and largest city in Hawaii County, so many people use it as the starting point to explore the eastern half of the island. The town has a population of just over 40,000 people. It looks out over Hilo Bay and most of the town's development is between Hilo Bay and Waiakea-Uka near the active volcano of Mauna Loa. Hilo is where you will find the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corportation and Hilo International Airport.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in 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 dayHilo $171Victoria $182
The average daily cost (per person) in Hilo is $171, 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 Hilo and Victoria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHilo $71Victoria $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHilo $142Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Hilo and Victoria
Looking for a hotel in Hilo 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: Hilo Hotel Prices and Victoria Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hilo $25Victoria $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hilo
Also for Hilo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Kailua Kona Port to Kailua Kona city hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from Kailua Kona City Hotels to Kailua Kona Port: $58
- Private Transfer From Kona International Airport to Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea : $95
- Private Transfer From Kona International Airport to Hotels in Kailua-Kona: $75
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea to Kona International Airport: $85
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Kailua-Kona to Kona International Airport: $70
- Private Departure Transfer: Big Island Hotels to Kona International Airport: $169
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kona International Airport to Big Island Hotels: $169
- Luxury Private Airport Transfer : $75
- Kona Intl. Airport (KOA) to Waikoloa beach hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Kona Intl Airport (KOA) to Waikoloa beach hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
- Kona International Airport (KOA) to Kailua-Kona - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $116
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 Hilo or Victoria?
Prices for flights to both Victoria and Hilo 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 dayHilo $70Victoria $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hilo
For Hilo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Farm to Table Cooking Class at Kulaniapia Falls: $169
- French Hawaiian Fusion Cooking Class: $175
- Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay: $183
- Farm-to-Table Chef's Dinner at Kulaniapia Falls: $199
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.Hilo $32Victoria $45
Tours and Activities in Hilo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hilo.
- Early Morning Whale Cruise from Kawaihae Harbor: $125
- 2018 Eruption Adventure Tour (includes Fissure 8): $199
- 4 Hour Captain Cook Bay Cruise: $99
- 4-hour Kailua-Kona Ocean Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $94
- 6 passengers' max, Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona: $140
- 9-Line Waterfall Zipline Experience on the Big Island: $240
- Abalone Farm Tour: $25
- Afternoon Kealakekua Snorkel Tour: $129
- Afternoon Marine Adventure: $109
- Baumkuchen Farm Tour: $5.00
- Big Island - Kohala Coast & Backcountry Driving Tour: $9.99
- Big Island - Kona Big Kahuna GPS Driving Tour: $20
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 dayHilo $10Victoria $16
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 comparing the travel costs between Hilo and Victoria, we can see that Victoria is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hilo Expensive? and Is Victoria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hilo or Victoria?
Victoria has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Hilo 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 Hilo 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 Hilo or Victoria in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilo and Victoria. Most visitors come to Hilo for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Hilo is much warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Hilo averages around 76°F (24°C) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hilo usually receives more rain than Victoria. Hilo gets 9.7 inches (247 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 JulyHilo 76°F (24°C)Victoria 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Hilo or Victoria in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hilo as well as Victoria. The autumn months attract visitors to Hilo because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Hilo is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hilo in October average around 76°F (24°C), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Hilo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hilo usually gets more rain in October than Victoria. Hilo gets 9.8 inches (248 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 OctoberHilo 76°F (24°C)Victoria 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Hilo or Victoria in the Winter?
Both Victoria and Hilo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hilo this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Victoria. In January, Hilo is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Hilo average around 72°F (22°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Victoria. It's quite rainy in Hilo. In January, Hilo usually receives more rain than Victoria. Hilo gets 8.7 inches (221 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 JanuaryHilo 72°F (22°C)Victoria 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Hilo or Victoria in the Spring?
Both Victoria and Hilo during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hilo for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Hilo is much warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Hilo averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. Hilo usually gets more rain in April than Victoria. Hilo gets 15.6 inches (395 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 AprilHilo 73°F (23°C)Victoria 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Victoria and Hilo
| Hilo | Victoria | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 72°F (22°C) | 8.7 inches (221 mm) | 5°C (41°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 72°F (22°C) | 10.8 inches (274 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 72°F (22°C) | 13.6 inches (345 mm) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 15.6 inches (395 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 10.7 inches (272 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 14°C (58°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 76°F (24°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) | 16°C (61°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 76°F (25°C) | 8.5 inches (215 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 76°F (24°C) | 9.8 inches (248 mm) | 11°C (52°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 74°F (24°C) | 14.8 inches (375 mm) | 8°C (46°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 73°F (23°C) | 12.6 inches (321 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.