A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Hope vs. Victoria for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Hope 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 Hope and Victoria can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hope

Hope is a local, small, and friendly town. It's also popular because of the hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Victoria

Victoria is a scenic, relaxing, and cultural city. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Victoria travel costs.

Hope and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable


Is there more to do in Hope or Victoria?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Victoria than Hope, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Victoria is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Hope is more popular for its hiking. Victoria is more touristy than Hope and is known for its colonial buildings and public parks. Also, Victoria is famous for Butchart Gardens. Hope is well known for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo."

How is Hope different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Victoria and Hope. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hope or Victoria?

Hope
Victoria

Victoria is very good for its historical sights. However, Hope is not known for its sights and museums.

Victoria is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several popular museums like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Also make sure you check out the Parliament Buildings.

Hope offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.


Is the Food Better in Hope or Victoria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hope
Victoria

Victoria is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Victoria. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Hope or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

Hope
Victoria

Victoria is very good for nightlife. However, Hope is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Victoria has a few options to choose from. There are a good number of bars and pubs around town. Most offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a cold drink in a casual setting.

Most people don't head to Hope specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Hope or Victoria Better for Hiking?

Hope
Victoria

Hope is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Hope. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Victoria is a good destination for hiking. There are many outdoor spaces and parks that offer local hiking trails. This is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the area.


Is the Shopping Better in Hope or Victoria?

Hope
Victoria

Victoria is very good for shopping. However, Hope is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Victoria. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

If you're looking to go shopping, Hope has some nice offerings. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Is Hope or Victoria Better for Families?

Hope
Victoria

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Hope or Victoria.

Hope is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

Victoria is a very kid-friendly town. There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get the energy out. Walking trails are popular. You can also do the Malahat SkyWalk which offers impressive views. Cadboro-Gyro Park has a playground, zip-line, and picnic areas. Another hightlight for kids is a visit to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can visit the BC Aviation Museum.

Is Hope or Victoria Better for Couples?

Hope
Victoria

Both Hope and Victoria are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Hope is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

Victoria is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city offers many great activities for couples such as a visit to Hatley Park and Castle. The city is also famous for its many flower gardens which are best visited in spring. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring are also favorite activities for couples.


Is Hope or Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hope
Victoria

Hope is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Hope. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Victoria. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

Is Hope or Victoria Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hope
Victoria

Victoria is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Hope is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Victoria. While there are buses, it's best not to count on them because they're not particularly reliable.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hope. There is no public transit in town.

Is Hope or Victoria a more walkable city?

Hope
Victoria

Victoria is a great city for its walkability. However, Hope is not known for its high level of walkability.

Victoria is very walkable. Many of the sights are close by and easy to walk to.

Hope is generally not very walkable. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.


For even more information, also check out Is Hope Worth Visiting? and Is Victoria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Victoria or Hope?

How long in Hope or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either Hope or Victoria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Victoria due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hope, and 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

Families should spend more time in Victoria than Hope. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Victoria, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Victoria than Hope. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Victoria that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Victoria than Hope if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Victoria.


  • How many days in Hope or Victoria? Ideal Length of Stay
    Hope 2-3 
    Victoria 3-4

One day in Hope or Victoria?

The town of Hope offers . Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Victoria. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Hope or Victoria?

Hope is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hope, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Victoria is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Hope or Victoria?

Hope is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Victoria. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


A week in Hope or Victoria?

Hope is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

The relaxing city of Victoria offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Hope?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hope is $47, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $202. 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 Hope and Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hope $8.93
    Victoria $114
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hope $18
    Victoria $228
Compare Hotels in Hope and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Hope 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 Hope


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: Hope Hotel Prices and Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hope -
    Victoria $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria

Also for Victoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Cruise Transfer with City Sightseeing Tour: $692
  • One way Scenic Seaplane transfer from Victoria to Vancouver : $292
  • Scenic Seaplane Transfer from Vancouver to Victoria: $284
  • Scenic Seaplane Transfer From Victoria to Salt Spring Island: $138
  • Private Transfer from Victoria City Hotels to Nanaimo Cruise Port: $131
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $92
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Cruise Terminal Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $92
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $78
  • Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $76

Is it cheaper to fly into Hope or Victoria?

Prices for flights to both Victoria and Hope 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
    Hope $38
    Victoria $47

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Victoria

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

  • Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $87
  • Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $90
  • Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $146
  • Gourmet Dinner Tour Including Local Beer, Wine and City Highlights: $225

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hope -
    Victoria $46

Tours and Activities in Victoria

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

  • 24 Hour Hop-On, Hop-Off Double Decker Victoria City Tour: $45
  • 4 Hour Afternoon Whale Watching Tour: $172
  • 4 Hour Morning Whale Watching Tour: $172
  • 60-Minute Beacon Hill Park Tour: $232
  • 75-Minute The Royal Tour: $284
  • Beacon Hill Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Experience in Victoria: $232
  • Butchart & Beyond: The Grand Victoria Tour: $360
  • Butchart Gardens and City Private Tour: $297
  • Butchart Gardens and City Tour: $181
  • COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix: $99
  • Chinatown and Hidden Alleys Pedicab Tour: $93
  • Downtown Victoria Food & City Tour: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hope $10
    Victoria $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:

  • Victoria BC: Tour & Tasting Around Award Winning Distillery: $22
  • Pickle Pub Crawl: Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $52
  • Local Brewery Tour with a Guide: $87
  • Victoria Craft Brewery Tour: $90
  • Victoria Craft Beer and Distillery Tour: $113
  • 6-Hour Victoria to Cowichan Wine Tour: $127
  • Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $134
  • Private Saanich Peninsula Wine Tour : $147
  • Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $433


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

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


Which is Bigger, Hope or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Hope 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 Hope 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 Hope or Victoria in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hope and Victoria. Many visitors come to Hope in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Victoria for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Hope is generally a little warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Hope average around 18°C (64°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In July, Hope usually receives more rain than Victoria. Hope gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hope 18°C (64°F) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Hope or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hope as well as Victoria. Most visitors come to Hope for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Victoria because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Hope is around the same temperature as Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hope averages around 10°C (51°F) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hope usually gets more rain in October than Victoria. Hope gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hope 10°C (51°F) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Hope or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and Hope are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Hope because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.

It's quite cold in Victoria in the winter. The weather in Hope can be very cold. In the winter, Hope is much colder than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hope in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Victoria. It's quite rainy in Hope. In January, Hope usually receives more rain than Victoria. Hope gets 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hope 3°C (37°F) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Hope or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and Hope during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Hope is generally around the same temperature as Victoria. Daily temperatures in Hope average around 9°C (49°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hope. Hope usually gets more rain in April than Victoria. Hope gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hope 9°C (49°F) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Hope

Hope Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 201 mm (7.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 5°C (41°F) 164 mm (6.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 145 mm (5.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 9°C (49°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 85 mm (3.4 in) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 10°C (51°F) 156 mm (6.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 222 mm (8.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 3°C (37°F) 217 mm (8.5 in) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)