Which place is cheaper, British Columbia or Idaho?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Idaho or British Columbia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Idaho or British Columbia? 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: Idaho or British Columbia?
Idaho
Perhaps best known for its "Famous Potatoes," Idaho's true nickname is "The Gem State" and is full of a kind of wild beauty that comes with snow-capped mountains, raging rivers, placid lakes, and dense forests. Agriculture mostly lies in the eastern part of the state, while the wilderness of northern and central Idaho consists of some of the state's greatest natural treasures, dotted with a few cities and college towns.
British Columbia
The westernmost province in Canada, British Columbia, is four times the size of Great Britain with less than one tenth of the population. This is due to the vast mountain ranges just ready to be tackled including the Rockies, Selkirks and the Coastal Range. With vibrant cities and ambitious outdoor activities, British Columbia is ready for any traveler.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.
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Idaho Prices
USA PricesBritish Columbia Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIdaho $193British Columbia $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Idaho is $193, while the average daily cost in British Columbia is $155. 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 Idaho and British Columbia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIdaho $84British Columbia $77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIdaho $168British Columbia $154
Compare Hotels in Idaho and British Columbia
Looking for a hotel in Idaho or British Columbia? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Idaho $45British Columbia $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in British Columbia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in British Columbia:
- Vancouver: YVR Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $28
- Private Arrival Transfer from Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
- Group Transfer to/from Vancouver International Airport (YVR): $32
- Transfers Vancouver Airport and Cruise port to or from Hotels: $39
- Private Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $41
- Private Transfer from Vancouver Hotels to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $45
- Vancouver Airport YVR Private Transfer to Downtown: $54
- Calgary Airport Transfer to/from Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise: $56
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Vancouver hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $65
- Private Transfer from Canada Place Port to any Hotel: $72
- Vancouver to Canada Place Cruise Port Departure Private Transfer: $82
Is it cheaper to fly into Idaho or British Columbia?
Prices for flights to both British Columbia and Idaho 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 dayIdaho $74British Columbia $51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in British Columbia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in British Columbia.
- Victoria: Old Town & Chinatown Local Food Tour with 7 Tastings: $68
- Delicious Donuts & Holiday Cheer: Victoria's Sweetest Food Tour: $70
- Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Food Tour: $82
- Kelowna: #1 Rated Walking Food Tour with 7 Tastings and 4 Drinks: $83
- Vancouver Gastown's Elite Walking Food Tour Experience: $92
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $93
- Vancouver Chinatown Elite Food Tour Hidden Gems & Local Tastings: $96
- A Wok Around Granville Island Public Market Food Tour: $108
- Vancouver: Gastown Food Tour with 6 Authentic Local Food Tastings: $113
- Vancouver Foodie Tour: Granville Island Market Food Tour: $118
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $119
- Indulge in a Wine & Food Tour - Cowichan Valley: $121
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Idaho $35British Columbia $42
Tours and Activities in Idaho
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Idaho are as follows:
- Buried & Blighted in Boise Ghost Tours: $26
- Salt Lake City: 3-Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Essence Tour: $2,279
Tours and Activities in British Columbia
Here are a few actual costs in British Columbia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Discover Vancouver: A Self-Guided Tour: $1.12
- Victoria City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour Grauity-Based: $5.00
- Fort Langley Film & Television Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $5.73
- Spy Escape in Vancouver: Outdoor Puzzle Adventure: $6.17
- Stanley Park Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.45
- Bloedel Conservatory Admission Ticket: $7.16
- Vancouver to Whistler Private Self Guided Audio Tour: $7.17
- Kamloops–Revelstoke Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $7.88
- Vancouver–Kamloops Self-Guided Coquihalla Audio Driving Tour: $7.89
- Guided Tour of Britannia Shipyards NHS in Steveston: $9.04
- Victoria’s Historic Heights: An Audio Tour Through Beacon Hill: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in North Vancouver by Wacky Walks: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIdaho $40British Columbia $11
Sample the Local Flavors in British Columbia
Also in British Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Amazing Bar Crawl in Vancouver BC: $15
- Pickle Pub Crawl: Victoria Harbour Ferry Pub Crawl: $47
- Whistler Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience: $80
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour: $86
- North Vancouver Elite Walking Brewery Tour: $93
- Signature Lake Country Wine Tour: $100
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour Led by a Local: $104
- 4-Hour Okanagan Valley Wine Tasting. Wineries of East Kelowna Bench.: $105
- Naramata Half Day Wine Tour (Incl. Tasting Fees & Guide Grat!): $114
- Sunset Sip Wine Tour: $114
- West Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $114
- East Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $114
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Idaho and British Columbia, we can see that Idaho is more expensive. And not only is British Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to British Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in British Columbia 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 Idaho would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Idaho than you might in British Columbia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Idaho Expensive? and Is British Columbia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Idaho or British Columbia?
British Columbia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Idaho. When comparing the sizes of Idaho and British Columbia, 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.
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.