A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hilton Head Island vs. Vernon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hilton Head Island or Vernon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Hilton Head Island and Vernon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Hilton Head Island or Vernon?

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head, also called Hilton Head Island, is primarily a resort and beach town off the coast of South Carolina. Located on a barrier island, the place is best known for its beaches and golf courses overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Vernon

Vernon is located in British Columbia, Canada. It's in the Okanagan region of the Southern Interior and dates back to 1892. The city has a population of about 40,000 and the Greater Vernon area has a population of about 58,584. It's the largest city in the North Okanagan Regional District. In many ways Vernon feels like most other towns around North America, but if you find yourself here with some time to spare, you can find a handful of activities that will help you see it's unique personality and interesting qualities. The town is most popular for its lakes and beaches during the summer monts, and its skiing and hockey during the winter months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Vernon or Hilton Head Island?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hilton Head Island is $243, while the average daily cost in Vernon is $31. 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 Hilton Head Island and Vernon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hilton Head Island $129
    Vernon $4.82
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hilton Head Island $258
    Vernon $9.64
Compare Hotels in Hilton Head Island and Vernon

Looking for a hotel in Hilton Head Island or Vernon? 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 Hilton Head Island


Hotels in Vernon


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: Hilton Head Island Hotel Prices and Vernon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hilton Head Island $34
    Vernon -

Is it cheaper to fly into Hilton Head Island or Vernon?

Prices for flights to both Vernon and Hilton Head Island 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
    Hilton Head Island $60
    Vernon $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hilton Head Island

For Hilton Head Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dolphin Watching 3-Course Dinner Cruise: $70
  • Sunset Hibachi Dinner Cruise : $102
  • Hilton Head Sunset Dinner Cruise: $106
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise: $106

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hilton Head Island $23
    Vernon -

Tours and Activities in Hilton Head Island

For Hilton Head Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Kazoo Factory Tour & Museum : $15
  • Beaufort Ghost Walking Tours : $22
  • Tybee Island Ghost Tour: $30
  • Walking Tour in Beaufort: $30
  • Historic Tour of Tybee Island: $30
  • Historic Walking Tour of Tybee Island: $30
  • Complete History and Movie Walking Tour of Beaufort: $30
  • History and Movie Tour of Beaufort by Golf Cart: $32
  • Beaufort City Minibus Tour: $35
  • 90-Minute Dolphin & Nature Tour: $35
  • #1 Historical Horse Drawn Carriage Tour: $35
  • Beaufort’s #1 Horse & Carriage History Tour: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hilton Head Island $26
    Vernon $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Hilton Head Island

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Hilton Head Island:

  • Hilton Head's ONLY Distillery Experience: $55


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hilton Head Island and Vernon, we can see that Hilton Head Island is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon 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 Hilton Head Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilton Head Island than you might in Vernon.

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


Which is Bigger, Hilton Head Island or Vernon?

Vernon has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Hilton Head Island. When comparing the sizes of Hilton Head Island and Vernon, 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 Hilton Head Island or Vernon?

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 Hilton Head Island or Vernon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hilton Head Island as well as Vernon. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year.

Hilton Head Island is a little warmer than Vernon in the summer. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Vernon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Hilton Head Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in July than Vernon. Hilton Head Island gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hilton Head Island 82°F (28°C) 
    Vernon 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Vernon in the Autumn?

Both Vernon and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Hilton Head Island is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hilton Head Island in October average around 68°F (20°C), and Vernon averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In October, Hilton Head Island usually receives more rain than Vernon. Hilton Head Island gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hilton Head Island 68°F (20°C) 
    Vernon 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Vernon in the Winter?

Both Vernon and Hilton Head Island during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Vernon can be very cold during winter. In January, Hilton Head Island is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 48°F (9°C), and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in January than Vernon. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hilton Head Island 48°F (9°C) 
    Vernon -3°C (27°F)

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Vernon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilton Head Island and Vernon. Most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Hilton Head Island is much warmer than Vernon in the spring. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 67°F (19°C) in April, and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In April, Hilton Head Island usually receives more rain than Vernon. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hilton Head Island 67°F (19°C) 
    Vernon 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Vernon and Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island Vernon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 48°F (9°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) -3°C (27°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Feb 52°F (11°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 2°C (35°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 58°F (15°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 7°C (44°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 67°F (19°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 12°C (53°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
May 73°F (23°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 16°C (61°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Jun 80°F (26°C) 5.9 inches (150 mm) 21°C (69°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 7.9 inches (200 mm) 23°C (73°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 6.5 inches (164 mm) 23°C (73°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 77°F (25°C) 5.6 inches (141 mm) 17°C (63°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 11°C (51°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Nov 59°F (15°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm) 4°C (39°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Dec 52°F (11°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) -1°C (30°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)