Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Pasadena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pasadena or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pasadena and Vancouver. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Pasadena or Vancouver?
Pasadena
Pasadena, California is adjacent to Los Angeles and is probably most famous as the host for the New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl football game. As such, it has become known as the City of Roses. Year around Pasadena is known to have a vibrant night life. It has a great Old Town area that has impressive shopping and many excellent restaurants. It's also home to the California Institute of Technology and has many museums, theaters, and independent films that make it a cultural haven for the area. Also make sure you visit the Huntington Library which has an impressive art collection and over 150 acres of botanical gardens. It's been featured in several Hollywood Films.
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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing 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 dayPasadena $62Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Pasadena is $62, 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 Pasadena and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPasadena $25Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPasadena $50Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Pasadena and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Pasadena 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: Pasadena Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pasadena $21Vancouver $12
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:
- Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
- Vancouver Airport-Cypress/Grouse Mountain Private Transfer: $38
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to White Rock - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Canada Place Port - Arrival Transfer: $55
- City Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $61
- Vancouver to Victoria: Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
- Vancouver to Victoria, Coach Bus Transfer: $74
- Private Transfer from Canada Place Cruise Terminal to any Hotel: $74
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Whistler - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Vancouver to Victoria - Vancouver Hotel Pickup - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Pasadena or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Pasadena 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 dayPasadena $19Vancouver $31
Typical Food Prices in Pasadena
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:
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Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)$58
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.Pasadena -Vancouver $36
Tours and Activities in Pasadena
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:
- LA: East Side Guided Film Locations Tour: $350
- Haunted Walking Tour: $33
- Old Pasadena Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49
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 dayPasadena -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 Pasadena and Vancouver, we can see that Vancouver is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Vancouver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vancouver than you might in Pasadena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pasadena Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pasadena or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena or Vancouver in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Pasadena as well as Vancouver. The summer months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Pasadena is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pasadena in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).
Pasadena usually gets less rain in July than Vancouver. Pasadena gets 0 inches (0 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 JulyPasadena 73°F (23°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Pasadena or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver and Pasadena are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.
In October, Pasadena is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Pasadena average around 68°F (20°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Pasadena gets 0.3 inches (7 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 OctoberPasadena 68°F (20°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Pasadena or Vancouver in the Winter?
Both Vancouver and Pasadena during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Pasadena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Vancouver can get quite cold in the winter. Pasadena is much warmer than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Pasadena averages around 56°F (13°C) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pasadena usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Pasadena gets 2.5 inches (63 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 JanuaryPasadena 56°F (13°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Pasadena or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pasadena and Vancouver.
In the spring, Pasadena is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pasadena in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Pasadena gets 0.7 inches (17 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 AprilPasadena 62°F (17°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Pasadena
| Pasadena | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 56°F (13°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 58°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 59°F (15°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 69°F (20°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 74°F (24°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 62°F (16°C) | 1.6 inches (42 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 56°F (13°C) | 1.7 inches (43 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.