Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Portland, Maine?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Portland, Maine or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Portland, Maine 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: Portland, Maine or Vancouver?
Portland, Maine
The largest city in the U.S. state of Maine, Portland has much to offer with its most visited areas being the historic Old Port and the Arts District. They are a mix of the old and new, with a historic feel of the waterfront port versus the contemporary culture of the local art scene. In addition to these popular locations, the Portland area is marked with historical landmarks and museums, places to shop, award-winning restaurants, and activities in areas just outside the city as well.
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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) 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 dayPortland, Maine $192Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Portland, Maine is $192, 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 Portland, Maine and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPortland, Maine $115Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPortland, Maine $230Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Portland, Maine and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Portland, Maine 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: Portland, Maine Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Portland, Maine $34Vancouver $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:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Vancouver YVR or Cruise Port to Vancouver by SUV: $120
- Arrival Private Transfer: Vancouver Airport YVR to Vancouver in Luxury Car: $163
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $93
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $186
- Canada Place Cruise Port: Transfer to Vancouver hotels: $425
- Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury Car: $163
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury SUV: $133
- Maximize Your Cruise Adventure: Vancouver Tour & Transfer: $292
- Mount Washington to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Transfer: $93
- Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Portland, Maine or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Portland, Maine 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 dayPortland, Maine $48Vancouver $31
Typical Food Prices in Portland, Maine
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Portland, Maine:
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Breakfast for 2$17
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Dinner for 2$30
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.Portland, Maine $39Vancouver $36
Tours and Activities in Portland, Maine
Here are a few actual costs in Portland, Maine for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours | Portland, Maine Black History Walking Tour: $49
- 2 Hours | Portland, Maine Hidden Histories Walking Tour: $49
- A Walk Through Time Tour in Portland: $49
- Around The Peninsula Bike Tour: $79
- Audio Guided Walking Tour from Old Port of Portland, Maine: $6.75
- Casco Bay Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour: $75
- Central Coastal Maine Private Day Tour: $250
- Discover Portland City and Lighthouse Tour: $48
- Donut Tasting Walking Tour in Portland’s Old Port: $48
- Downtown Portland In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Downtown Portland, Maine City and Lighthouse Tour-2.5 hour Land Tour: $70
- Guided RIB Boat Adventure of Casco Bay: $75
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 dayPortland, Maine $24Vancouver $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Portland, Maine
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Portland, Maine:
- Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
- Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
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 Portland, Maine and Vancouver, we can see that Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Portland, Maine or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Portland, Maine. When comparing the sizes of Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine or Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver and Portland, Maine during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Portland, Maine is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Portland, Maine in July average around 69°F (20°C), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).
In Vancouver, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Portland, Maine. In the summer, Portland, Maine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Portland, Maine gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.
Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Portland, Maine gets 2.6 inches (66 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 JulyPortland, Maine 69°F (20°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Portland, Maine or Vancouver in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland, Maine and Vancouver. The autumn months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Portland, Maine is generally cooler than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Portland, Maine average around 49°F (9°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Portland, Maine usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Portland, Maine gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Portland, Maine usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (84 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 OctoberPortland, Maine 49°F (9°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Portland, Maine or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Portland, Maine as well as Vancouver. The Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Vancouver. It's quite cold in Portland, Maine in the winter. Portland, Maine is much colder than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Portland, Maine averages around 21°F (-6°C) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Portland, Maine often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Portland, Maine gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Portland, Maine usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Portland, Maine gets 3.4 inches (86 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 JanuaryPortland, Maine 21°F (-6°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Portland, Maine or Vancouver in the Spring?
Both Vancouver and Portland, Maine are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Portland, Maine is much colder than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Portland, Maine in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland, Maine. Portland, Maine usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Portland, Maine gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In April, Portland, Maine usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (85 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 AprilPortland, Maine 43°F (6°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Portland, Maine
| Portland, Maine | 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) |
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.