Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Providence?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Providence 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 Providence 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: Providence or Vancouver?
Providence
Providence is the state capital and the largest city in Rhode Island. It's a fascinating city to visit with diverse neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and a rich history. Like much of New England, the winters are cold and snowy with milder summers. It's a great year round destination that has a beautiful setting whether it's covered in snow or in full bloom.
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 Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples 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 dayProvidence $210Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Providence is $210, 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 Providence and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personProvidence $114Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomProvidence $228Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Providence and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Providence 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: Providence Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Providence $46Vancouver $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Providence
Also for Providence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- New York’s JFK International Airport to Providence – Departure Private Transfer: $272
- Providence to Boston’s Logan International Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $170
- T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
- Private Transfer from Providence City Hotels to Newport Port: $61
- Private Transfer from Providence Airport (PVD) to Newport Port : $49
- T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $46
- Providence to Rhode Island Airport PVD Departure Transfer : $46
- Private Departure Transfer to Providence TF Green Airport PVD: $36
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 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 Providence or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Providence 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 dayProvidence $48Vancouver $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Providence
For Providence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Downcity Providence Food Tour: $89
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.Providence $26Vancouver $36
Tours and Activities in Providence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Providence.
- Boat Tour of Green Jacket Shoal: $58
- Brews Cruise with Narragansett Beer: $60
- Creative Capital: Art and Architecture Tour of Providence: $40
- Discover Providence Guided Sightseeing Tour: $40
- Downtown Providence Self-Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Haunted Boat Tours: $49
- Haunted History Walking Tour of Providence: $30
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Providence, RI: $15
- Narrated Boat Tours: $36
- Parasols and Pocket Watches: A History Tour: $30
- Power and Politics: The Struggle for the Soul of Providence Tour: $35
- Providence Architecture Boat Tour: $65
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayProvidence $13Vancouver $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Providence
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Providence:
- Vineyard Voyages - Floating Wine Tasting: $65
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 Providence and Vancouver, we can see that Providence 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 Providence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Providence 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 Providence Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Providence or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Providence. When comparing the sizes of Providence 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 Providence 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 Providence or Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver and Providence are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Providence because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Providence is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Providence in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Vancouver. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. Providence usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver during summer. Providence gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Providence usually receives more rain than Vancouver. Providence gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyProvidence 73°F (23°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Providence or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver and Providence during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Providence this time of year.
In October, Providence is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Providence average around 53°F (12°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite sunny in Providence. In the autumn, Providence often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Providence gets 211 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. Providence usually gets less rain in October than Vancouver. Providence gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberProvidence 53°F (12°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Providence or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Providence and Vancouver. Many travelers come to Providence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Vancouver can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Providence. Providence is much colder than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Providence averages around 28°F (-2°C) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Providence usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during winter. Providence gets 170 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, Providence usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Providence gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryProvidence 28°F (-2°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Providence or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Providence as well as Vancouver.
In the spring, Providence is around the same temperature as Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Providence in April average around 48°F (9°C), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Providence this time of the year. In the spring, Providence often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Providence gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Providence usually gets less rain in April than Vancouver. Providence gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilProvidence 48°F (9°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Providence
| Providence | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 33°F (0°C) | 4.1 inches (105 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.