A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Kamloops vs. Vernon for Hiking, Families, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Kamloops or Vernon?

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 Vernon 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.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a laid-back, outdoorsy, and nature-filled city. Other popular activities here include shopping, skiing, and nightlife. See Kamloops travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a relaxing, quiet, and peaceful town. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Vernon travel costs.

Kamloops and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamloops or Vernon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kamloops. Although Kamloops and Vernon are both popular with visitors, Kamloops has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kamloops is more popular for its skiing and nightlife, while Vernon is known for its museums and attractions and hiking. Vernon is more touristy than Kamloops and is popular for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails. Kamloops is popular for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses. It is also home to Sun Peaks Resort.

How is Kamloops different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Kamloops or Vernon Better for Skiing?

Kamloops is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Vernon is not a skiing destination.

Kamloops is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

Vernon is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kamloops or Vernon?

Vernon is a town with good options for its museums and history. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Vernon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

Is the Food Better in Kamloops or Vernon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Kamloops and Vernon can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

Kamloops has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Vernon area. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Kamloops or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Kamloops is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kamloops. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Kamloops or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Vernon is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Vernon. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Kamloops offers some nice hiking trails. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Is the Shopping Better in Kamloops or Vernon?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Kamloops and Vernon.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kamloops. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.

Many visitors go to Vernon to go shopping. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Kamloops or Vernon Better for Families?

Kamloops is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Kamloops is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

Vernon is a family-friendly city. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Kamloops or Vernon Better for Couples?

Both Kamloops and Vernon are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Kamloops makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

Vernon is a good city for couples to visit. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

Is Kamloops or Vernon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Kamloops and Vernon.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Kamloops or Vernon a more walkable city?

Kamloops and Vernon are decent when it comes to walkability.

Kamloops is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.

Vernon is generally not very walkable. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

For even more information, also check out Is Kamloops Worth Visiting? and Is Vernon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Kamloops?

How long in Kamloops or Vernon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kamloops and Vernon. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Vernon than in Kamloops. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kamloops, and 1-3 days is enough time in Vernon.

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

One day in Kamloops or Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the destination of Kamloops. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The town of Vernon offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Kamloops or Vernon?

Kamloops is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Vernon 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 Vernon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamloops or Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kamloops. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vernon 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.

A week in Kamloops or Vernon?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Kamloops. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Vernon 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.

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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kamloops or Vernon?

Kamloops has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of Kamloops and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

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 Kamloops or Vernon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kamloops as well as Vernon. Most visitors come to Kamloops for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Vernon because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kamloops is around the same temperature as Vernon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kamloops in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Vernon averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Kamloops usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Vernon. Kamloops gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamloops or Vernon in the Autumn?

Both Vernon and Kamloops are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Kamloops because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Vernon this time of year.

In October, Kamloops is generally around the same temperature as Vernon. Daily temperatures in Kamloops average around 11°C (51°F), and Vernon fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Kamloops usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vernon. Kamloops gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kamloops or Vernon in the Winter?

Both Vernon and Kamloops during the winter are popular places to visit. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kamloops this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Vernon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vernon. It's quite cold in Kamloops in the winter. Kamloops is around the same temperature as Vernon in the winter. The daily temperature in Kamloops averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

Kamloops usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Vernon. Kamloops gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamloops or Vernon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamloops and Vernon.

In the spring, Kamloops is around the same temperature as Vernon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kamloops in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Vernon averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In April, Kamloops usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vernon. Kamloops gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Kamloops