A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montana vs. British Columbia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montana or British Columbia?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Montana or British Columbia, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Montana or British Columbia?

Montana

Often called Big Sky Country for its vast blue skies, Montana is a state in the northwestern United States characterized by beautiful sweeping scenery from the Rocky Mountains in the west to the flatter prairie regions of the east. Some of the top attractions include Glacier National Park, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Yellowstone, and of course the Rocky Mountains.

British Columbia

The westernmost province in Canada, British Columbia, is four times the size of Great Britain with less than one tenth of the population. This is due to the vast mountain ranges just ready to be tackled including the Rockies, Selkirks and the Coastal Range. With vibrant cities and ambitious outdoor activities, British Columbia is ready for any traveler.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, British Columbia or Montana?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Montana Prices
    USA Prices
    British Columbia Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Montana $153
    British Columbia $155

The average daily cost (per person) in Montana is $153, while the average daily cost in British Columbia is $155. 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 Montana and British Columbia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montana $49
    British Columbia $77
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montana $98
    British Columbia $154
Compare Hotels in Montana and British Columbia

Looking for a hotel in Montana or British Columbia? 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.

Hotels in Montana


Hotels in British Columbia


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montana $65
    British Columbia $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in British Columbia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in British Columbia:

  • Whitewater Rafting from Vancouver with Lunch and Transfers: $286
  • White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $103
  • Whistler to Vancouver Scenic Seaplane Transfer: One Way: $261
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $65
  • Vancouver: YVR Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $28
  • Vancouver: Airport Transfer to Downtown Vancouver: $108
  • Vancouver to Whistler Scenic Seaplane Transfer: One Way: $254
  • Vancouver to Canada Place Cruise Port Departure Private Transfer: $82
  • Vancouver International Airport and Cruise Port Private Transfer: $249
  • Vancouver Airport YVR Round-Trip Private Transfer by Luxury SUV: $279
  • Vancouver Airport YVR Private Transfer to Downtown: $54
  • Vancouver Airport YVR Private Transfer to Cruise Ship or Hotel: $202

Is it cheaper to fly into Montana or British Columbia?

Prices for flights to both British Columbia and Montana 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Montana $49
    British Columbia $51

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montana

For Montana, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Glacier National Park: Whitewater Rafting with Dinner: $123

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in British Columbia

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in British Columbia.

  • Victoria: Old Town & Chinatown Local Food Tour with 7 Tastings: $68
  • Delicious Donuts & Holiday Cheer: Victoria's Sweetest Food Tour: $70
  • Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Food Tour: $82
  • Kelowna: #1 Rated Walking Food Tour with 7 Tastings and 4 Drinks: $83
  • Vancouver Gastown's Elite Walking Food Tour Experience: $92
  • Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $93
  • Vancouver Chinatown Elite Food Tour Hidden Gems & Local Tastings: $96
  • A Wok Around Granville Island Public Market Food Tour: $108
  • Vancouver: Gastown Food Tour with 6 Authentic Local Food Tastings: $113
  • Vancouver Foodie Tour: Granville Island Market Food Tour: $118
  • Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $119
  • Indulge in a Wine & Food Tour - Cowichan Valley: $121

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montana $38
    British Columbia $42

Tours and Activities in British Columbia

Here are a few actual costs in British Columbia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Hour Private Snowmobile Tour in Whistler: $236
  • 2 Hour Signature Victoria Pedicab Tour for 2-3 Guests: $113
  • 2 Hour Wilderness Adventure Snowmobile Tour in Whistler: $207
  • 2 Hours Private Tour of Stanley Park Vancouver: $128
  • 2 Hours eBike Whistler Multi-generational Tour with Local Guide: $107
  • 24 Hour Hop On Hop Off Double Decker Victoria City Tour: $52
  • 2hr City Highlights Private Tour in Victoria BC: $146
  • 3.5 hour Sailing Adventure in Nanoose Bay: $144
  • 4 Hours Guided Mountain Bike Tour: $257
  • 4 Hours Private tour of City of Vancouver.: $287
  • 4 Tours Audio Adventure between Whistler & Lake Louise: $22
  • 4-Hour Sailing Adventure on The Strait of Juan de Fuca: $129

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montana $11
    British Columbia $11

Sample the Local Flavors in British Columbia

Also in British Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Amazing Bar Crawl in Vancouver BC: $15
  • Pickle Pub Crawl: Victoria Harbour Ferry Pub Crawl: $47
  • Whistler Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience: $80
  • Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour: $86
  • North Vancouver Elite Walking Brewery Tour: $93
  • Signature Lake Country Wine Tour: $100
  • Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour Led by a Local: $104
  • 4-Hour Okanagan Valley Wine Tasting. Wineries of East Kelowna Bench.: $105
  • Naramata Half Day Wine Tour (Incl. Tasting Fees & Guide Grat!): $114
  • Sunset Sip Wine Tour: $114
  • West Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $114
  • East Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $114


When comparing the travel costs between Montana and British Columbia, we can see that British Columbia is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which has a larger population, Montana or British Columbia?

British Columbia has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Montana. When comparing the sizes of Montana and British Columbia, 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.