Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Ketchikan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ketchikan or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Ketchikan and Vancouver can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ketchikan or Vancouver?
Ketchikan
Ketchikan, Alaska is located at the southern end of the well-known Alaskan inside passage. It is often called the beginning of the last frontier, because of it's location near the southern entrance of Alaska. It is a beautiful and quaint town, that leaves you feeling like you may have gone back in time with its storefront lined streets and natural beauty. Ketchikan has been called some of the most beautifully stunning wilderness area in the world. It is known as the Salmon Capital of the World due to the superior century old fishing industry in the area. The Native Culture in Ketchikan is extremely rich and it is home to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian tribes. The nearby Tongass rainforest provides red cedar trees for the popular totem poles, which are abundant in the area.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKetchikan $220Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Ketchikan is $220, 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 Ketchikan and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKetchikan $136Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKetchikan $272Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Ketchikan and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Ketchikan 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: Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ketchikan $39Vancouver $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ketchikan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ketchikan are as follows:
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Bus Ride$1.00
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:
- Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
- Private Arrival Transfer from Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
- Cypress/Grouse Mountain to Vancouver Airport - Departure Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer from Vancouver Airport (YVR) to White Rock City: $46
- White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Canada Place Port - Arrival Transfer: $55
- Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
- Vancouver to Canada Place Cruise Port Departure Private Transfer: $55
- City Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $61
- Transfer Private Vehicle Vancouver Airport (YVR)-Vancouver Downtown: $67
- Vancouver to Victoria: Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
- Private Transfer from Canada Place Cruise Terminal to any Hotel: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Ketchikan or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Ketchikan 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 dayKetchikan $53Vancouver $31
Typical Food Prices in Ketchikan
Some typical examples of dining costs in Ketchikan are as follows:
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Slice of Pie & Drink$5.00
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
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $85
- Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $93
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
- Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
- VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138
- Authentic Asian Eats Walking Food Tour: $142
- 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner: $153
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
- Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ketchikan $46Vancouver $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ketchikan
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ketchikan are as follows:
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Ticket to Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show$35
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Duck Tour (one person)$38
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Bear Viewing Tour$83
Tours and Activities in Ketchikan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ketchikan are as follows:
- “OVER THE TOP TOURS”AK Wildlife & Totem poles Tour.: $95
- 2 Hour Alaska Rainforest Walk and Totem Park Small Group Tour: $85
- 2.5 Hour Tour in Ketchikan on the Tongass Trolley: $72
- 3-Hour Private Indigenous Tour in Ketchikan: $125
- AdVenture with the Venturer: $199
- Adventure Kart Expedition- Ketchikan, AK: $280
- Alaska Marine Fast Boat Adventure : $194
- Alaska Native Cultural Immersion Experience and Ketchikan Tour: $89
- Alaskan Cultural, Culinary and Lumberjack Show Experience: $149
- Alaskan Lodge Adventure and Seafeast: $196
- Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour from Ketchikan: $229
- Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour: $219
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Vancouver self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.28
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.74
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.85
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Fort Langley: a Film & Television Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
- Cycling the Seawall: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Along the Stanley Park Seawall: $5.46
- Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.68
- Historic Walking Tours of Vancouver with Then & Now Images!: $6.72
- Vancouver Downtown: Espionage Adventure Outdoor Escape Game: $6.94
- Self-Guided Smartphone Tour of Stanley Park: $7.30
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.46
- VanDusen Botanical Garden Admission Ticket: $7.65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKetchikan $23Vancouver $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Ketchikan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ketchikan:
- Ketchikan Pub Crawl: $79
Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl ROUTE B: $18
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl: $26
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $26
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $84
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour: $89
- Vancouver Behind-the-Scenes Brewery Tour: $93
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $134
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
- Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $134
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $138
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ketchikan and Vancouver, we can see that Ketchikan is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vancouver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vancouver 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 Ketchikan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ketchikan than you might in Vancouver.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ketchikan Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ketchikan or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 260 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan or Vancouver?
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 Ketchikan or Vancouver in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ketchikan as well as Vancouver. Many visitors come to Ketchikan in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Ketchikan is cooler than Vancouver in the summer. The daily temperature in Ketchikan averages around 58°F (15°C) in July, and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ketchikan usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Ketchikan gets 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKetchikan 58°F (15°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Ketchikan or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver and Ketchikan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Ketchikan for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Ketchikan is cooler than Vancouver. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ketchikan in October average around 46°F (8°C), and Vancouver averages at about 11°C (51°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. In October, Ketchikan usually receives more rain than Vancouver. Ketchikan gets 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKetchikan 46°F (8°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Ketchikan or Vancouver in the Winter?
Both Vancouver and Ketchikan during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Vancouver in the winter. The weather in Ketchikan can be very cold. In January, Ketchikan is generally much colder than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Ketchikan average around 34°F (1°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. Ketchikan usually gets more rain in January than Vancouver. Ketchikan gets 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKetchikan 34°F (1°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Ketchikan or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ketchikan and Vancouver. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Ketchikan this time of year.
Ketchikan is cooler than Vancouver in the spring. The daily temperature in Ketchikan averages around 44°F (6°C) in April, and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Ketchikan usually receives more rain than Vancouver. Ketchikan gets 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKetchikan 44°F (6°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Ketchikan
| Ketchikan | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 34°F (1°C) | 14.9 inches (379 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 38°F (3°C) | 13.2 inches (335 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 39°F (4°C) | 10.6 inches (270 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 44°F (6°C) | 11.3 inches (286 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 9.3 inches (237 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 54°F (12°C) | 8.2 inches (209 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 58°F (15°C) | 7.6 inches (193 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 59°F (15°C) | 11.1 inches (281 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 54°F (12°C) | 13.2 inches (335 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 46°F (8°C) | 22.9 inches (581 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 40°F (4°C) | 17.3 inches (441 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 15.7 inches (398 mm) | 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.