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

Should you visit Hilton Head Island or Victoria?

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 Victoria can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Hilton Head Island or Victoria?

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.

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 from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria 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 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 Hilton Head Island and Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hilton Head Island $129
    Victoria $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hilton Head Island $258
    Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Hilton Head Island and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Hilton Head Island 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.

Hotels in Hilton Head Island


Hotels in Victoria


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 Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hilton Head Island $34
    Victoria $37

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
  • Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Hotel Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $87
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $74
  • Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria: $206

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

Prices for flights to both Victoria 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
    Victoria $27

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

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hilton Head Island $23
    Victoria $45

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:

  • #1 Historical Horse Drawn Carriage Tour: $35
  • 1 Hour Private Dolphin Tour Hilton Head Island: $250
  • 2-Hour Hilton Head Guided Kayak Nature Tour: $45
  • 90 Minute Hilton Head Dolphin Tour: $48
  • 90 Minute Hilton Head Dolphin and Nature Cruise: $45
  • 90 minute Hilton Head Sunset Dolphin Cruise: $55
  • Beaufort City Minibus Tour: $35
  • Beaufort Ghost Walking Tours : $22
  • Beaufort Gullah Heritage Tour: $49
  • Beaufort’s #1 Horse & Carriage History Tour: $35
  • Complete History and Movie Walking Tour of Beaufort: $30
  • Daufuskie Island Daily Round Trip Ferry Tickets: $54

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hilton Head Island $26
    Victoria $16

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

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hilton Head Island and Victoria, we can see that Hilton Head Island is more expensive. And not only is Victoria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Victoria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Victoria 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 Victoria.

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 Victoria Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hilton Head Island or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Hilton Head Island. When comparing the sizes of Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island or Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Hilton Head Island is much warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite rainy in Hilton Head Island. In July, Hilton Head Island usually receives more rain than Victoria. Hilton Head Island gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hilton Head Island 82°F (28°C) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

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

Both Victoria and Hilton Head Island during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Hilton Head Island is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hilton Head Island in October average around 68°F (20°C), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in October than Victoria. Hilton Head Island gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hilton Head Island 68°F (20°C) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilton Head Island and Victoria. The winter months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Victoria in the winter. In January, Hilton Head Island is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 48°F (9°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Victoria receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Hilton Head Island usually receives less rain than Victoria. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hilton Head Island 48°F (9°C) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

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

The spring brings many poeple to Hilton Head Island as well as Victoria. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year.

Hilton Head Island is much warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 67°F (19°C) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in April than Victoria. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hilton Head Island 67°F (19°C) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 48°F (9°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 52°F (11°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 58°F (15°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 67°F (19°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 73°F (23°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 80°F (26°C) 5.9 inches (150 mm) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 7.9 inches (200 mm) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 6.5 inches (164 mm) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 77°F (25°C) 5.6 inches (141 mm) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 59°F (15°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 52°F (11°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)