A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers North Conway vs. Vancouver for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit North Conway or Vancouver?

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

Should I visit North Conway 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: North Conway or Vancouver?

North Conway

North Conway is a small town in New Hampshire in the Mount Washington Valley (MWV). The entire valley is a popular vacation area year-round due to the multiple ski resorts and summer activities including amusement parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more.

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 Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or North Conway?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in North Conway is $224, 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 North Conway and Vancouver in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    North Conway $125
    Vancouver $87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    North Conway $250
    Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in North Conway and Vancouver

Looking for a hotel in North Conway 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.

Hotels in North Conway


Hotels in Vancouver


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: North Conway Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    North Conway $52
    Vancouver $12

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:


  • SkyTrain from Airport
    $6.35
  • Taxi from Airport to Downtown
    $21
  • 15 min Taxi Ride
    $8.71
  • SkyTrain DayPass
    $6.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver

Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Vancouver Airport (YVR) Transfer to Whistler: $611
  • Private Transfer from Whistler to Vancouver Airport YVR: $602
  • Private Transfer from Downtown Vancouver to Whistler: $570
  • Private Transfer from YVR Airport To Whistler: $511
  • Vancouver Airport(YVR): Transfer to Canada Place Cruise Port: $425
  • Canada Place Cruise Port: Transfer to Vancouver hotels: $425
  • Maximize Your Cruise Adventure: Vancouver Tour & Transfer: $292
  • Vancouver, BC: Scenic Seaplane Transfer to Seattle, WA: $283
  • Private Transfer, Langley, BC to Vancouver International Airport-VIP Sedan: $280
  • Vancouver Cruise Transfers/ City Sightseeing Tour Private: $277
  • Private Transfer from Vancouver (YVR) Airport to Vancouver City: $270
  • Private Transfer, Vancouver Intl. Airport to Vancouver, BC - VIP, SEDAN : $250

Is it cheaper to fly into North Conway or Vancouver?

Prices for flights to both Vancouver and North Conway 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
    North Conway $64
    Vancouver $31

Typical Food Prices in Vancouver

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:


  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    North Conway $38
    Vancouver $36

Tours and Activities in North Conway

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for North Conway.

  • 3-Hour Private Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Littleton, NH: $39
  • Kancamagus Highway: Audio Driving Tour: $12
  • Kancamagus Scenic Byway Audio Driving Tour Guide: $17
  • Meet the Winemakers - Seven Birches Winery Tour: $40

Tours and Activities in Vancouver

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.

  • Guided Bike /E-bike Tour in Whistler From Vancouver: $219
  • Sunshine Coast Escape (Around Vancouver) Small Group Tour: $145
  • $99 Vancouver 2 Hours City Tour Private: $102
  • 2 Days Leavenworth Christmastown Tour from Vancouver (Chn&Eng): $192
  • 2-in-1 Vancouver city Tour: $234
  • 3-Day Vancouver City Tour Package With Whistler & Victoria: $2,411
  • 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $456
  • 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $583
  • 4-Hour Private Tour of Vancouver's Gardens: $334
  • 5 Days in Vancouver Multiactivity Adventure Tour: $2,411
  • 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $709
  • 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $836

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    North Conway $33
    Vancouver $16

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 North Conway and Vancouver, we can see that North Conway 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 North Conway would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in North Conway 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 North Conway Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, North Conway or Vancouver?

Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 870 times larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of North Conway 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 North Conway or Vancouver?

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 North Conway or Vancouver in the Summer?

Both Vancouver and North Conway are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In July, North Conway is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in North Conway average around 69°F (20°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Vancouver. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in North Conway. North Conway usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver during summer. North Conway gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, North Conway usually receives more rain than Vancouver. North Conway gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    North Conway 69°F (20°C) 
    Vancouver 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit North Conway or Vancouver in the Autumn?

Both Vancouver and North Conway during the autumn are popular places to visit.

North Conway is cooler than Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in North Conway averages around 49°F (9°C) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, North Conway often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. North Conway gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun.

Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. North Conway usually gets less rain in October than Vancouver. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    North Conway 49°F (9°C) 
    Vancouver 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit North Conway or Vancouver in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both North Conway and Vancouver.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vancouver. It's quite cold in North Conway in the winter. In the winter, North Conway is much colder than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in North Conway in January average around 21°F (-6°C), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).

North Conway usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during winter. North Conway gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, North Conway usually receives less rain than Vancouver. North Conway gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    North Conway 21°F (-6°C) 
    Vancouver 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit North Conway or Vancouver in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to North Conway as well as Vancouver.

In April, North Conway is generally much colder than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in North Conway average around 43°F (6°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in North Conway this time of the year. In the spring, North Conway often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. North Conway gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vancouver. North Conway usually gets less rain in April than Vancouver. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    North Conway 43°F (6°C) 
    Vancouver 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Vancouver and North Conway

North Conway Vancouver
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°F (-6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 4°C (40°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Feb 24°F (-5°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 6°C (42°F) 179 mm (7.1 in)
Mar 33°F (1°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 7°C (45°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Apr 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 9°C (49°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 13°C (55°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 63°F (17°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 16°C (60°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 69°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm) 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm) 18°C (64°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 59°F (15°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 15°C (59°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 49°F (9°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 11°C (51°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 39°F (4°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm) 7°C (44°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Dec 27°F (-3°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 4°C (40°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)