Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Maui?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Maui or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Maui or Vancouver? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Maui or Vancouver?
Maui
Who hasn't spent at least one Monday morning fantasizing about holding a mai tai on a Hawaiian beach? A trip to Maui may be just what we all have in mind, but it's so much more than a drink on a sandy towel.
At over 700 square miles, the island of Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian islands with a small population of just over 140,000 people. The island enjoys approximately two seasons a year with a mild climate just about everywhere. Rough living, right?
Voted "Best Island in the World" by many in the travel industry, Maui is the center for whale watching, relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, and the home of a large and lush rainforest.
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 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours 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 dayMaui $275Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Maui is $275, 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 Maui and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMaui $141Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMaui $282Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Maui and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Maui 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: Maui Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Maui $62Vancouver $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maui
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maui:
- Private Customizable Road to Hana Tour with Transfer: $500
- Private Customizable Island Tour with Transfer: $500
- Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) to Maui - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $170
- Private transfer: Kahului Airport (OGG) to Kahului: $99
- Private transfer: Kahului to Kahului Airport (OGG): $99
- Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) to Maui hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $85
- Maui to Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) - Departure Private Transfer: $85
- Private Transfer from Lahaina Cruise Port to Kahului Airport(OGG): $80
- Private Transfer from Lahaina Cruise Port to Maui city hotels: $80
- Private Transfer from Maui City Hotels to Lahaina Cruise Port: $80
- Private Departure Transfer to Maui Kahului Airport OGG: $78
- Private Arrival Transfer from Maui Kahului Airport OGG: $31
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:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Vancouver YVR or Cruise Port to Vancouver by SUV: $120
- Arrival Private Transfer: Vancouver Airport YVR to Vancouver in Luxury Car: $163
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $93
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $186
- Canada Place Cruise Port: Transfer to Vancouver hotels: $425
- Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury Car: $163
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury SUV: $133
- Maximize Your Cruise Adventure: Vancouver Tour & Transfer: $292
- Mount Washington to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Transfer: $93
- Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Maui or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Maui 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 dayMaui $94Vancouver $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Maui
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Maui.
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Dinner Cruise Aboard the Quicksilver: $120
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise Aboard Calypso: $130
- Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Prime Rib or Mahi Mahi Dinner Cruise : $140
- Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach: $154
- South Gilligans' Island Luau with Dinner and Drinks: $166
- Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Lahaina for 2 People: $170
- Premium Dinner Cruise: Four Course Dining Experience - Ma'alaea: $170
- Maui Sunset Luau Dinner Cruise from Ma'alaea Harbor aboard Pride of Maui: $187
- Haleakala's Best Sunset Tour with Dinner: $210
- Wailele Luau Including Fire and Knife Performance plus Dinner: $219
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:
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $85
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $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
- Bowen Island Dinner and Zodiac Boat Tour by Vancouver Water Adventures: $163
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Maui $38Vancouver $36
Tours and Activities in Maui
Here are a few actual costs in Maui for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Upcountry Farm Tour on Maui : $300
- Sunset Tour to Haleakalā National Park from Paia : $189
- 1pm Haleakala Guided Downhill Tour: $149
- 2 hour Maalaea Luxury Powerboat Sunset Cruise Exclusive 6 Guests: $283
- 2hr Koa Kai Sunset Whale Watch Adventure: $149
- 3 Hours Guided Koa Kai Snorkel Adventure & Sunset Combo: $83
- 4 Dual-Zipline Mountain Adventure ~ Maui: $200
- 4-HR Molokini Crater + Turtle Town Snorkeling Experience: $180
- 4-Hour Lanai Snorkel & Dolphin Tour from Lahaina: $205
- 7-Line Maui Zipline Tour on the North Shore: $149
- Afternoon Adventure Snorkel from Ka'anapali: $169
- All Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle: $40
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: $4.82
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Fort Langley: a Film & Television Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.19
- Cycling the Seawall: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Along the Stanley Park Seawall: $5.46
- Historic Walking Tours of Vancouver with Then & Now Images!: $6.68
- Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.68
- 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: $7.42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMaui $41Vancouver $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Maui
Also in Maui, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Goat Farm, Distillery, & Glass-Blowing Tour w/ Tasting: $224
- Maui Tour : Iao Valley, Hawaiian Distillery and Lavender Farm Tour: $300
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
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $84
- 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: $148
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $164
- Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
- Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167
- Full-Day Private Fraser Valley Wine Tour from Vancouver: $189
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Maui and Vancouver, we can see that Maui 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 Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui 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 Maui Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Maui 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 Maui or Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver and Maui during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Maui is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Maui average around 79°F (26°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Vancouver, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Maui. In the summer, Maui often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Maui gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.
Maui usually gets less rain in July than Vancouver. Maui gets 0.4 inches (10 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 JulyMaui 79°F (26°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Maui or Vancouver in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Maui and Vancouver. The autumn months attract visitors to Maui because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Maui is much warmer than Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in Maui averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. Maui usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Maui gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Maui usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Maui gets 1.2 inches (31 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 OctoberMaui 78°F (26°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Maui or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Maui as well as Vancouver. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Maui this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Vancouver. In the winter, Maui is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in Maui in January average around 72°F (22°C), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In the winter, Maui often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Maui gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Maui receives a lot of rain in the winter. Maui usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Maui gets 4.1 inches (105 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 JanuaryMaui 72°F (22°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Maui or Vancouver in the Spring?
Both Vancouver and Maui are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Maui for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Maui is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Maui average around 74°F (24°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. Maui usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Maui gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In April, Maui usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Maui gets 1.8 inches (47 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 AprilMaui 74°F (24°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Maui
| Maui | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 72°F (22°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 74°F (24°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 76°F (24°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 78°F (25°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 inches (83 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.