A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Juneau vs. Halifax for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Juneau or Halifax?

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

Should I visit Juneau or Halifax? 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: Juneau or Halifax?

Juneau

Juneau, Alaska is the capital city of the state, and it is also one of the most beautiful cities. Juneau is surrounded by two large mountains and a channel, so it is the only state capital not accessible by train or car. It is lined with small streets, including what is locally known as "stair streets" which can only be accessed by foot and include walking up 100-300 stairs, depending on which level you're going to. Luckily, most of the sights and stores are on the lower level, though. The only real structures located on the stair streets are residential buildings. Juneau is the most visited city in Alaska, but its population is just over 33,000. Its economy is based mostly on government, tourism, fishing, and mining.

Halifax

The quaint and charming coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia has an interesting personality. While it caters to travelers from all over the world, it maintains the pace and lifestyle of a small town.

Steeped in maritime history, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and one of the world's greatest natural harbors. This busy seaport serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.

When planning your trip keep in mind that this city has a climate like other coastal cities. Summers are nice with the occasional humidity. Winters are mild, but still full of snow and wind. The best time of year to visit is most certainly the fall.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.


Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Juneau?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Juneau is $160, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $114. 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 Juneau and Halifax in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Juneau $88
    Halifax $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Juneau $176
    Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Juneau and Halifax

Looking for a hotel in Juneau or Halifax? 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 Juneau


Hotels in Halifax


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: Juneau Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Juneau $38
    Halifax $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Juneau

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Juneau:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Juneau Airport (JNU): $48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax

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

  • Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36
  • Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
  • Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
  • From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80
  • Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209

Is it cheaper to fly into Juneau or Halifax?

Prices for flights to both Halifax and Juneau 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
    Juneau $49
    Halifax $31

Typical Food Prices in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Bluenose II Restaurant
    $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax

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

  • Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Juneau $17
    Halifax $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Juneau

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Juneau are as follows:


  • 1 Day Bike Rental
    $25
  • Admission to Alaska State Museum
    $5.00
  • Glacier Gardens
    $22

Tours and Activities in Juneau

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Juneau are as follows:

  • 3 Hours Fishing Experience Class in Juneau: $225
  • 3.5 Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau Alaska: $189
  • Alpine Zipline Adventure in Juneau, AK: $245
  • Five-Star Juneau Pedicab Private Tour: $200
  • From Fly-In Norris Glacier Hike and Packraft Tour: $850
  • From Whale Watching Cruise with Snacks: $132
  • Historic Gold Mining and Panning Adventure: $99
  • Historic Gold Panning Adventure & Salmon Bake: $139
  • Juneau City Tour: $52
  • Juneau Underground Gold Mine and Panning Experience: $79
  • Juneau Whale Watching Adventure: $189
  • Juneau, The Last Frontier Self Guided (Smart Phone App/GPS) Audio Walking Tour: $6.75

Tours and Activities in Halifax

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

  • Discover the Halifax Explosion Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • Churches, Gardens, & Graveyards Smartphone Tour: $5.11
  • Halifax Boardwalk and Seaport: Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Exlore Halifax with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
  • Halifax self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
  • From City and Peggy's Cove Sunset Guided Tour: $65
  • City Segway Tour: $67
  • Small-Group Tour with Citadel and Peggy's Cove: $94
  • Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & Museum: $102
  • From Small Group Lunenberg Express Tour: $120
  • Guided Harbourfront Food Walking Tour: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Juneau $16
    Halifax $15


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

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


Which is Bigger, Juneau or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Juneau. When comparing the sizes of Juneau and Halifax, 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 Juneau or Halifax?

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 Juneau or Halifax in the Summer?

Both Halifax and Juneau during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Juneau for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Juneau is generally cooler than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Juneau average around 56°F (13°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Halifax, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Juneau often gets less sunshine than Halifax. Juneau gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Juneau. Juneau usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Halifax. Juneau gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Juneau 56°F (13°C) 
    Halifax 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Juneau or Halifax in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Juneau and Halifax. Many visitors come to Juneau in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Juneau is much colder than Halifax in the autumn. The daily temperature in Juneau averages around 42°F (6°C) in October, and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Juneau usually receives less sunshine than Halifax during autumn. Juneau gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Juneau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Juneau usually receives more rain than Halifax. Juneau gets 7.8 inches (199 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Juneau 42°F (6°C) 
    Halifax 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Juneau or Halifax in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Juneau as well as Halifax. Most visitors come to Juneau for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Halifax can be very cold. Juneau can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Juneau is around the same temperature as Halifax. Typically, the winter temperatures in Juneau in January average around 24°F (-4°C), and Halifax averages at about -4°C (24°F).

In the winter, Juneau often gets less sunshine than Halifax. Juneau gets 87 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Halifax. Juneau receives a lot of rain in the winter. Juneau usually gets less rain in January than Halifax. Juneau gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Juneau 24°F (-4°C) 
    Halifax -4°C (24°F)

Should I visit Juneau or Halifax in the Spring?

Both Halifax and Juneau are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Juneau because of the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Halifax in the spring. The weather in Juneau can be very cold. In April, Juneau is generally around the same temperature as Halifax. Daily temperatures in Juneau average around 40°F (4°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Juneau usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during spring. Juneau gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In April, Juneau usually receives less rain than Halifax. Juneau gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Juneau 40°F (4°C) 
    Halifax 4°C (39°F)

Typical Weather for Halifax and Juneau

Juneau Halifax
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°F (-4°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) -4°C (24°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Feb 28°F (-2°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) -5°C (24°F) 108 mm (4.2 in)
Mar 33°F (0°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) -1°C (31°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 40°F (4°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 4°C (39°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 47°F (8°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 9°C (48°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 53°F (12°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 14°C (57°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Jul 56°F (13°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm) 18°C (64°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Aug 55°F (13°C) 5.3 inches (135 mm) 18°C (65°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Sep 49°F (10°C) 7 inches (179 mm) 15°C (58°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Oct 42°F (6°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm) 10°C (49°F) 121 mm (4.7 in)
Nov 32°F (-0°C) 4.9 inches (123 mm) 5°C (40°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 27°F (-3°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm) -1°C (29°F) 152 mm (6 in)