Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Ketchikan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ketchikan or Victoria?
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 Victoria can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ketchikan or Victoria?
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.
Victoria
The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.
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 Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKetchikan $220Victoria $182
The average daily cost (per person) in Ketchikan is $220, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $182. 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 Victoria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKetchikan $136Victoria $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKetchikan $272Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Ketchikan and Victoria
Looking for a hotel in Ketchikan or Victoria? 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: Victoria Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ketchikan $39Victoria $37
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria
Also for Victoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
- Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $74
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Hotel Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $87
- Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria: $206
- Seaplane Transfer between Victoria and Whistler: $219
Is it cheaper to fly into Ketchikan or Victoria?
Prices for flights to both Victoria 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 $53Victoria $27
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Victoria
For Victoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chocolate Lovers Food Tour: $44
- Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $58
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $59
- Victoria Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $73
- Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $146
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ketchikan $46Victoria $45
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
- AdVenture with the Venturer: $199
- Adventure Kart Expedition- Ketchikan, AK: $280
- Alaska Bigfoot Adventures: $149
- 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 Victoria
For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Victoria self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.28
- Victoria Harbor: Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- 2.5-hour Tips-Based City Walking Tour: $6.58
- Victoria, BC: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $11
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $13
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Experience Victoria by Foot Walking Tour: $15
- Butterfly Gardens Admission Ticket: $15
- Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $16
- Cultural & Historical Victoria Walking Tour: $16
- Malahat SkyWalk General Admission Tickets: $29
- Experience Victoria City Tour: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKetchikan $23Victoria $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:
- Guided Pub Crawl with Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $48
- 3-Hour Street Art & Craft Beer Tour of Victoria, Brewery Tour & Tasting included: $101
- Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $134
- Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $439
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ketchikan and Victoria, we can see that Ketchikan is more expensive. And not only is Victoria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Victoria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Victoria 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 Victoria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ketchikan Expensive? and Is Victoria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ketchikan or Victoria?
Victoria has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan or Victoria?
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 Victoria in the Summer?
Both Victoria and Ketchikan during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ketchikan in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Ketchikan is generally around the same temperature as Victoria. Daily temperatures in Ketchikan average around 58°F (15°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. Ketchikan usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Ketchikan gets 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKetchikan 58°F (15°C)Victoria 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Ketchikan or Victoria in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ketchikan and Victoria. 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.
Ketchikan is cooler than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ketchikan averages around 46°F (8°C) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ketchikan usually receives more rain than Victoria. Ketchikan gets 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKetchikan 46°F (8°C)Victoria 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Ketchikan or Victoria in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Ketchikan as well as Victoria. The winter months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Victoria in the winter. The weather in Ketchikan can be very cold. In the winter, Ketchikan is much colder than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ketchikan in January average around 34°F (1°C), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).
It's quite rainy in Victoria. Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ketchikan usually gets more rain in January than Victoria. Ketchikan gets 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKetchikan 34°F (1°C)Victoria 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Ketchikan or Victoria in the Spring?
Both Victoria and Ketchikan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Ketchikan this time of year.
In April, Ketchikan is generally cooler than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Ketchikan average around 44°F (6°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. In April, Ketchikan usually receives more rain than Victoria. Ketchikan gets 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKetchikan 44°F (6°C)Victoria 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Victoria and Ketchikan
| Ketchikan | Victoria | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 34°F (1°C) | 14.9 inches (379 mm) | 5°C (41°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 38°F (3°C) | 13.2 inches (335 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 39°F (4°C) | 10.6 inches (270 mm) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 44°F (6°C) | 11.3 inches (286 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 9.3 inches (237 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 54°F (12°C) | 8.2 inches (209 mm) | 14°C (58°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 58°F (15°C) | 7.6 inches (193 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 59°F (15°C) | 11.1 inches (281 mm) | 16°C (61°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 54°F (12°C) | 13.2 inches (335 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 46°F (8°C) | 22.9 inches (581 mm) | 11°C (52°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 40°F (4°C) | 17.3 inches (441 mm) | 8°C (46°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 15.7 inches (398 mm) | 5°C (42°F) | 153 mm (6 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.