Which place is cheaper, Virginia or Ontario?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Ontario or Virginia?
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 Ontario and Virginia can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ontario or Virginia?
Ontario
Chances are when you think of Canada, the things that come to mind are all located in the province of Ontario. Ontario has the highest population of any province in the country, and is the heart of Canadian tourism. As the home of Toronto, Niagara Falls and Lake Superior, this area is a major tourist destination.
Virginia
One of the original thirteen British colonies, Virginia is a place of rich history and varied environments. You might explore the historic settlement of Colonial Williamsburg, dive into the current culture of its major cities, or get lost in nature along the coast or in the scenic landscape of the Appalachian Mountains. There's a little something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in Canada, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOntario $211Virginia $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Ontario is $211, while the average daily cost in Virginia is $161. 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 Ontario and Virginia in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOntario $112Virginia $80
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOntario $224Virginia $160
Compare Hotels in Ontario and Virginia
Looking for a hotel in Ontario or Virginia? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ontario $26Virginia $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ontario
Also for Ontario, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way: from/to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) - Private Transfer: $38
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
- Private Airport Transfer Pearson Airport to or from Toronto: $41
- Private Departure Transfer-Toronto to Pearson Airport(YYZ) or YTZ: $41
- Private Transfer Toronto Pearson Airport To Toronto Hotels: $42
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto hotel/address -Arrival Private Transfer: $63
- Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Mississauga City Black Car Service: $64
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by SUV or Minibus: $66
- Private Arrival Transfer - YYZ Airport to Toronto Downton Hotel & Accommodations: $73
- Niagara Falls Guided 9 Hour Day Trip with Round-trip Transfer: $74
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Virginia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Virginia:
- Bamville Transportation (Private & Airport Transfers): $275
- Private transfer to or from Reston and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $200
- Airport Transfer to or from Mclean, VA and Dulles Airport: $195
- Airport Transfer to or from Mclean, VA and Reagan Airport(DCA): $188
- Private Transfer To or From Reston and Dulles International Airport: $180
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $72
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
- Richmond City to Richmond Airport (RIC) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond city - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Ontario or Virginia?
Prices for flights to both Virginia and Ontario 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 dayOntario $46Virginia $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ontario
For Ontario, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Toronto Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market: $66
- Must Do Toronto Food Tour: $66
- Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $71
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Kensington Market -Toronto's Neighborhood International Food Tour: $80
- European Evening Walking Food Tour in London, Ontario: $93
- Walking Food Tour in Niagara Falls: $108
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $109
- Light up The Falls Small Group Tour with Fallsview Dinner: $155
- Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour With Boat Cruise & Dinner (optional): $155
- Sunset Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Dinner: $178
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Virginia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Virginia.
- Taste of Williamsburg Food Tour by Junket: $79
- The Carytown Food Tour in Richmond: $80
- Church Hill Food Tour in Richmond, VA: $80
- Arts District Food Tour in Richmond: $85
- Delicious Pizza & Ice Cream Tour of Richmond: $90
- Norfolk Buffet Dinner Cruise : $101
- Norfolk Father's Day Buffet Dinner Cruise: $126
- The UVA Corner Food Tour: Private Walking Food Tour in Charlottesville: $139
- The Downtown Mall Food Tour: $149
- Roanoke Ebike Food Tour: $150
- Norfolk Mother's Day Signature Dinner Cruise: $176
- Norfolk 4th of July Buffet Dinner Cruise: $182
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ontario $22Virginia $24
Tours and Activities in Ontario
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ontario.
- Downtown Toronto Walking Tour: $4.46
- Graffiti in Toronto Walking Tour: $4.46
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Bracebridge & Toronto: $6.31
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Huntsville & Toronto: $6.31
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Collingwood and Toronto: $6.31
- Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.68
- Explore Canada's Metropolis with Walking Tours Through Toronto: $6.68
- A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
- Ottawa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Crazy Dash: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Ottawa by Operation City Quest: $10
Tours and Activities in Virginia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Virginia are as follows:
- Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Stories and Walking Tour: $25
- 1 Hour Christmastide Walking Tour in Virginia Past and Present : $25
- 2-Hour Private Guided The best of Williamsburg Walking Tour: $175
- 3-Hour E-Bike Sightseeing and Breweries Tour in Roanoke: $109
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Roanoke to Afton) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg Admission Ticket: $62
- Charlottesville Dark History Ghost Tour : $30
- Charlottesville Historic Downtown APP/GPS Smartphone Walking Tour: $7.75
- Church Hill Chillers Ghost Tour: $25
- Church Hill Segway Tour in Richmond: $80
- Colonial Ghosts Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayOntario $19Virginia $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Ontario
Also in Ontario, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $27
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $38
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation : $56
- Small Group Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tasting Tour: $96
- Sip, Swirl and Savour Chocolate & Wine Tour : $103
- 3.5 Hours NOTL E-Bike Wine Tour: $111
- Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour: $119
- Toronto to Niagara Wine Tour : $133
- Full-Day Group Wine Tour (with cheese and charcuterie) in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $141
- Relaxing three courses Lunch & Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $148
- myWineCountry Experience Premium Wine Tours and Tastings: $148
Sample the Local Flavors in Virginia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Virginia:
- Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Colonial Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $35
- The Murder Tour and Pub Crawl: $48
- Richmond Craft Brewery Crawl By Junket: $74
- Drink Richmond Craft Brewery Crawl: $74
- Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi : $85
- Brewery Tour of Richmond, VA: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ontario and Virginia, we can see that Ontario is more expensive. And not only is Virginia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia 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 Ontario would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ontario than you might in Virginia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ontario Expensive? and Is Virginia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Ontario or Virginia?
Ontario has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Virginia. When comparing the sizes of Ontario and Virginia, 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.
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.