Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Kamloops?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kamloops or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kamloops and Vancouver can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Kamloops or Vancouver?
Kamloops
In British Columbia, Canada, Kamloops is perhaps most famous for the large number of tournaments it hosts, everything from the Strauss Canada Cup of Curling, to the World Fly Fishing Championships. It also hosts Skate Canada, Tim Horton's Olympic Qualifying Bike Race, and the World Junior Hockey Championships among others. The city is in the south central part of the province and it sits near the confluence of the two branches of the Thompson River near Kamloops Lake. The city has a population of about 85,000 and it's the largest community in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKamloops $81Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Kamloops is $81, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $141. 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 Kamloops and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKamloops $44Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKamloops $88Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Kamloops and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Kamloops or Vancouver? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kamloops Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kamloops $20Vancouver $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport$6.35
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
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15 min Taxi Ride$8.71
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SkyTrain DayPass$6.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Nanaimo: $205
- Private Transfer from YVR Airport To Whistler: $508
- City Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $57
- Vancouver, BC: Scenic Seaplane Transfer to Seattle, WA: $281
- Vancouver to Victoria: Ferry with Bus Transfer: $72
- Vancouver to Victoria, Coach Bus Transfer: $74
- Vancouver to Victoria - Vancouver Hotel Pickup - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
- Vancouver hotels to Canada Place Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Vancouver Harbour Water Airport to Whistler - Round-Trip Transfer: $153
- Vancouver Harbour Water Airport to Whistler - Arrival Transfer: $76
- Vancouver Cruise ship Transfer to Airport/City Hotel: $135
Is it cheaper to fly into Kamloops or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Kamloops 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 dayKamloops $24Vancouver $31
Typical Food Prices in Kamloops
For Kamloops, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Pastries$5.81
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Lunch for Two$25
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Coffee and Gelato$12
Typical Food Prices in Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
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All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch$8.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vancouver Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $78
- The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $84
- Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $93
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $96
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
- VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $111
- Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
- Downtown Vancouver Asian Eats - Walking Food Tour: $138
- Authentic Asian Eats Walking Food Tour: $141
- 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner: $152
- Granville Island Uncorked Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $156
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kamloops $13Vancouver $36
Tours and Activities in Kamloops
For Kamloops, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Kamloops BC Wildlife Park Admission Ticket: $14
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Kamloops & Revelstoke: $6.36
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Kamloops and Vancouver: $6.36
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Kamloops by Zombie Scavengers: $21
- Vancouver and Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $6.17
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Guided Bike /E-bike Tour in Whistler From Vancouver: $220
- Half-day Hike and Bike Tour in Vancouver: $131
- Sunshine Coast Escape (Around Vancouver) Small Group Tour: $146
- Whistler Discovery and Waterfalls Small Group Tour: : $198
- $99 Vancouver 2 Hours City Tour Private: $102
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour - Vancouver's Highlights: $256
- 2-in-1 Vancouver city Tour: $233
- 3-Day Vancouver City Tour Package With Whistler & Victoria: $2,398
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $454
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $580
- 4-Hour Private Tour of Vancouver's Gardens: $332
- 5 Days in Vancouver Multiactivity Adventure Tour: $2,398
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKamloops $6.77Vancouver $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl: $25
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $84
- Vancouver Behind-the-Scenes Brewery Tour: $93
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
- Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $134
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $137
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $149
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $164
- Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $168
- Full-Day Private Fraser Valley Wine Tour from Vancouver: $189
- Private Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $332
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kamloops and Vancouver, we can see that Vancouver is more expensive. And not only is Kamloops much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kamloops would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kamloops 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 Vancouver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vancouver than you might in Kamloops.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kamloops Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kamloops or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kamloops. When comparing the sizes of Kamloops and Vancouver, 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 Kamloops or Vancouver?
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 Kamloops or Vancouver in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamloops and Vancouver.
In July, Kamloops is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Kamloops average around 23°C (73°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In July, Kamloops usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Kamloops gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKamloops 23°C (73°F)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kamloops or Vancouver in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kamloops as well as Vancouver.
Kamloops is around the same temperature as Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kamloops averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Kamloops usually gets less rain in October than Vancouver. Kamloops gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKamloops 11°C (51°F)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Kamloops or Vancouver in the Winter?
Both Vancouver and Kamloops are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Vancouver can be very cold during winter. Kamloops can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Kamloops is much colder than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kamloops in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In January, Kamloops usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Kamloops gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKamloops -3°C (27°F)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Kamloops or Vancouver in the Spring?
Both Vancouver and Kamloops during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Kamloops is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Kamloops average around 12°C (53°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kamloops usually gets less rain in April than Vancouver. Kamloops gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKamloops 12°C (53°F)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Kamloops
| Kamloops | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (35°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (39°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (30°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
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.