A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Kamloops vs. Victoria for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Kamloops or Victoria?

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 Victoria 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. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Kamloops travel costs.

Victoria

Victoria is a relaxing, cultural, and scenic city. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Victoria travel costs.

Kamloops and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamloops or Victoria?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Kamloops than Victoria. While Victoria is larger than Kamloops, Kamloops has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Kamloops is more popular for its skiing, while Victoria is known for its museums and attractions. Victoria is more touristy than Kamloops and is known for its colonial buildings and public parks. 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 Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Kamloops or Victoria Better for Skiing?

Kamloops is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Victoria is not a skiing destination.

Kamloops draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. 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.

Victoria is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Victoria offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several popular museums like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Also make sure you check out the Parliament Buildings.

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 Victoria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Kamloops and Victoria 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 Victoria area. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

Is Kamloops or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

Both Kamloops and Victoria have good vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kamloops. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

Victoria has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Is Kamloops or Victoria Better for Hiking?

Both Kamloops and Victoria are destinations which offer good hiking.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Kamloops. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Victoria offers some nice hiking trails. 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 Kamloops or Victoria?

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

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 Victoria to go shopping. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

Is Kamloops or Victoria Better for Families?

Both Kamloops and Victoria are very good to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Kamloops is very family-friendly. 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.

Victoria is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Kamloops or Victoria Better for Couples?

Victoria is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Victoria makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

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

Is Kamloops or Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Victoria is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for backpackers.

Victoria is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

Kamloops is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's often overlooked by backpackers, but there is a hostel in town.

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

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

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

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

Is Kamloops or Victoria a more walkable city?

Victoria is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Victoria or Kamloops?

How long in Kamloops or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either Kamloops or Victoria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Victoria due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kamloops, and 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

Families should spend more time in Victoria than Kamloops. 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 Kamloops. 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 Kamloops 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.

One day in Kamloops or Victoria?

The city of Kamloops offers nightlife and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The city of Victoria offers food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Kamloops or Victoria?

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

Victoria is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamloops or Victoria?

Kamloops 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.

Victoria 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 Victoria?

Kamloops is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Victoria is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city 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 Victoria, we can see that Victoria 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 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 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 Victoria Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kamloops or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Kamloops. When comparing the sizes of Kamloops 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 Kamloops 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 Kamloops or Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria and Kamloops are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kamloops this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Victoria for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kamloops is a little warmer than Victoria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kamloops in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Victoria averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In July, Kamloops usually receives more rain than Victoria. Kamloops gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kamloops or Victoria in the Autumn?

Both Victoria and Kamloops during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kamloops for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Victoria in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Kamloops is generally around the same temperature as Victoria. Daily temperatures in Kamloops average around 11°C (51°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Kamloops usually gets less rain in October than Victoria. Kamloops gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamloops or Victoria in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamloops and Victoria. Many visitors come to Kamloops in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Victoria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Victoria can be very cold during winter. Kamloops can get quite cold in the winter. Kamloops is much colder than Victoria in the winter. The daily temperature in Kamloops averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Victoria receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Kamloops usually receives less rain than Victoria. Kamloops gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kamloops or Victoria in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kamloops as well as Victoria.

In the spring, Kamloops is a little warmer than Victoria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kamloops in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Victoria averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Kamloops usually gets less rain in April than Victoria. Kamloops gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Victoria and Kamloops