A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Palm Springs vs. Victoria for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs and Victoria can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Palm Springs or Victoria?

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a desert resort town located about two hours east of Los Angeles, most famously known as Hollywood's playground, where stars and starlets could escape for rest and relaxation but still be close enough to return for impromptu work.

It's no wonder that Palm Springs is increasingly popular as a weekend getaway for special occasions, and even for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Closer than the typical Las Vegas weekend for Southern California residents, Palm Springs provides a desert getaway with endless possibilities of activities, whether visitors want to gamble, shop, hike, or wander through an art gallery.

Climate in the high-desert is generally warm with highs in the 100s during the hot and dry summers, and lows in the mid 40s in the winter months, with sparse rainfall. However, if you're visiting during winter, be sure to pack versatile attire and layers as the days may be warm, but the nights in the low desert can get chilly enough to convince you to change into long pants.

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 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Palm Springs?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Palm Springs is $206, 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 Palm Springs and Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Palm Springs $120
    Victoria $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Palm Springs $240
    Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Palm Springs and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Palm Springs 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.

Hotels in Palm Springs


Hotels in Victoria


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: Palm Springs Hotel Prices and Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Palm Springs $52
    Victoria $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palm Springs

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palm Springs:

  • Private Transfer from PSP to Palm Desert / Indian Wells: $135
  • Private Airport Transfer in Palm Springs: $195
  • Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to SANTA ANA - Arrival Private Transfer: $128
  • Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to ONTARIO - Arrival Private Transfer: $105
  • Palm Springs Airport to Snow Summit - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $262
  • Palm Springs Airport to Desert Hot Springs Round-Trip Transfer: $175
  • Palm Springs Airport PSP to Snow Summit-Arrival Private Transfer: $131
  • Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to LOS ANGELES - Arrival Private Transfer: $171
  • Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to LA QUINTA/INDIO - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $129
  • Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to INDIAN WELLS - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $162
  • Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to Desert Hot Springs Private Transfer: $87
  • Desert Hot Springs to Palm Springs Airport Departure Transfer: $87

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 Palm Springs or Victoria?

Prices for flights to both Victoria and Palm Springs 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
    Palm Springs $53
    Victoria $27

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Palm Springs $29
    Victoria $45

Tours and Activities in Palm Springs

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palm Springs are as follows:

  • 10+ Self-Guided Driving Tours from Las Vegas: $50
  • 100+ Self Guided Driving & Walking Tours by Action: $100
  • Best of Palm Springs Small Group Tour w/ Aerial Tram: $166
  • Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ: $129
  • Death Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $17
  • Desert Healing Experience: $175
  • Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bicycle Adventure: $139
  • Food Adventure Game: $99
  • Indian Canyons Walking Tour by Jeep from Palm Springs: $200
  • Joshua Tree National Park Driving Tour : $235
  • Joshua Tree National Park Offroad Tour: $235
  • Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour: $149

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Palm Springs $13
    Victoria $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 comparing the travel costs between Palm Springs and Victoria, we can see that Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs Expensive? and Is Victoria Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Palm Springs or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Palm Springs. When comparing the sizes of Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs or Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria and Palm Springs during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Palm Springs in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Palm Springs is generally a little warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Palm Springs average around 73°F (23°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Palm Springs usually gets less rain in July than Victoria. Palm Springs gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Palm Springs 73°F (23°C) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Palm Springs or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Palm Springs and Victoria. Most visitors come to Palm Springs for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Palm Springs is much warmer than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palm Springs averages around 69°F (20°C) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In October, Palm Springs usually receives less rain than Victoria. Palm Springs gets 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Palm Springs 69°F (20°C) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Palm Springs or Victoria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Palm Springs as well as Victoria. The winter months attract visitors to Palm Springs because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Victoria in the winter. In the winter, Palm Springs is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palm Springs in January average around 57°F (14°C), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).

It's quite rainy in Victoria. Palm Springs usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Palm Springs gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Palm Springs 57°F (14°C) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Palm Springs or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and Palm Springs are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Palm Springs is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Palm Springs average around 62°F (17°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Palm Springs usually receives less rain than Victoria. Palm Springs gets 0.9 inches (24 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Palm Springs 62°F (17°C) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Palm Springs

Palm Springs Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 57°F (14°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 58°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 59°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 62°F (17°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 69°F (20°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 74°F (24°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 69°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 62°F (17°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 57°F (14°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)