A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hood River vs. Victoria for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hood River or Victoria?

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

Should I visit Hood River 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: Hood River or Victoria?

Hood River

The city of Hood River is the seat of Hood River County, Oregon, United States. It is a port on the Columbia River, and is named for the nearby Hood River. The dynamic town of Hood River is one of the best windsurfing and kiteboarding destinations in the world. Strong river currents, prevailing westerly winds and a vast body of water provide the perfect conditions for these wind sports, attracting sometimes hundreds of photogenic enthusiasts who zip back and forth across the wide Columbia River.

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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Hood River?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hood River is $145, 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 Hood River and Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hood River $78
    Victoria $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hood River $156
    Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Hood River and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Hood River 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 Hood River


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: Hood River Hotel Prices and Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hood River $46
    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 Hood River or Victoria?

Prices for flights to both Victoria and Hood River 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
    Hood River $40
    Victoria $27

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.
    Hood River $18
    Victoria $45

Tours and Activities in Hood River

For Hood River, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Gift Basket Factory Tour: $31
  • Orchard Tour: $31
  • Railbikes Experience: $211
  • Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199

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
    Hood River $19
    Victoria $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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hood River and Victoria, we can see that Victoria is more expensive. And not only is Hood River much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hood River would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hood River 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 Victoria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Victoria than you might in Hood River.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hood River Expensive? and Is Victoria Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hood River or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Hood River. When comparing the sizes of Hood River 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 Hood River 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 Hood River or Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria and Hood River are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Hood River for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Hood River is a little warmer than Victoria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hood River in July average around 68°F (20°C), and Victoria averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In July, Hood River usually receives more rain than Victoria. Hood River gets 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hood River 68°F (20°C) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Hood River or Victoria in the Autumn?

Both Victoria and Hood River during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Hood River because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Hood River is generally a little warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Hood River average around 55°F (13°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Hood River usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Victoria. Hood River gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hood River 55°F (13°C) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Hood River or Victoria in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hood River and Victoria. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hood River this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Victoria. It's quite cold in Hood River in the winter. Hood River is cooler than Victoria in the winter. The daily temperature in Hood River averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Victoria receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hood River gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hood River usually receives around the same amount of rain as Victoria. Hood River gets 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hood River 40°F (4°C) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Hood River or Victoria in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hood River as well as Victoria. Many travelers come to Hood River for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Hood River is a little warmer than Victoria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hood River in April average around 51°F (11°C), and Victoria averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Hood River usually gets more rain in April than Victoria. Hood River gets 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hood River 51°F (11°C) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Hood River

Hood River Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 47°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 51°F (11°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 57°F (14°C) 2 inches (51 mm) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 64°F (18°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 68°F (20°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 69°F (20°C) 1 inches (25 mm) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 63°F (17°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 55°F (13°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 5.4 inches (136 mm) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 40°F (5°C) 6.1 inches (156 mm) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)