Which place is cheaper, Niagara Falls or Richmond?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Richmond or Niagara Falls?
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 Richmond and Niagara Falls can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Richmond or Niagara Falls?
Richmond
One of the oldest American cities, Richmond was established in 1607 by English settlers led by Captain Christopher Newport and Captain John Smith. During the Civil War it existed as the capital of the Confederacy, and today it remains the capital of the U.S. state of Virginia. There are many historic sights to see and museums to explore, as well as plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, Ontario sits on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, across the border from Niagara Falls, New York. Together these cities have claimed themselves to be the "Honeymoon Capital of the World" a status that is probably little more than a marketing ploy. That said, Niagara Falls, Ontario, is perhaps a quainter and more natural version of its American counterpart. The town has existed as a tourist destination for hundreds of years, with its main attraction, obviously, being Niagara Falls. Today, millions of visitors come to see the falls every year. It's truly an impressive sight, and there is no shortage of entertainment options while you're in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRichmond $161Niagara Falls $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Richmond is $161, while the average daily cost in Niagara Falls is $122. 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 Richmond and Niagara Falls in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRichmond $101Niagara Falls $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRichmond $202Niagara Falls $148
Compare Hotels in Richmond and Niagara Falls
Looking for a hotel in Richmond or Niagara Falls? 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: Richmond Hotel Prices and Niagara Falls Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Richmond $72Niagara Falls $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Richmond
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Richmond:
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond city - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Richmond City to Richmond Airport (RIC) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Niagara Falls
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Niagara Falls:
- Buffalo to Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) - Departure Private Transfer: $41
- Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) to Buffalo - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- Niagara Buffalo Airport Departure: Private Transfer to Buffalo Niagara Airport: $79
- Niagara Buffalo Airport Arrival: Private Transfer to Niagara Falls Ontario: $80
- Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) to Buffalo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $83
- Private Departure Transfer: Niagara Falls, Ontario to Buffalo Niagara International Airport: $87
- Private Arrival Transfer: Buffalo Niagara Airport to Niagara Falls, Ontario: $88
- Private Arrival Transfer from Buffalo Airport (BUF): $96
- Private Transfer: Niagara Int’l Airport (IAG) USA to Niagara Falls, ON: $97
- Shared Airport Transfer: Buffalo Niagara International Airport to Niagara Falls NY: $99
- Transfer Buffalo Niagara International Airport BUF to Niagara Falls,Canada: $103
- Private Departure Transfer to Buffalo Airport (BUF): $104
Is it cheaper to fly into Richmond or Niagara Falls?
Prices for flights to both Niagara Falls and Richmond 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 dayRichmond $21Niagara Falls $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Richmond
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Richmond.
- The Carytown Food Tour in Richmond: $80
- Church Hill Food Tour in Richmond, VA: $80
- Church Hill Food Tour: $80
- Trendy Carytown Food Tour: $80
- Arts District Food Tour in Richmond: $85
- Arts District Walking Food Tour: $85
- Delicious Pizza & Ice Cream Tour of Richmond: $90
- Pizza & Ice Cream Tour: $90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Niagara Falls
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Niagara Falls.
- The Wing Ride: The Hidden History of Chicken Wings Food Tour: $105
- Walking Food Tour in Niagara Falls: $108
- Niagara Falls Sightseeing Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $130
- Sunset Wine Tour with Dinner Niagara On The Lake: $146
- Guided Night Tour w/ Dinner & Hotel Transfer: $149
- Light up The Falls Small Group Tour with Fallsview Dinner: $155
- Evening Lights Tour with Skylon Tower Dinner: $177
- Sunset Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Dinner: $178
- Niagara Wine Tasting and three courses Dinner: $192
- Niagara Falls Evening Lights Tour With Skylon Tower Dinner: $192
- Night on Niagara Walking Tour with Fireworks Cruise + Dinner: $200
- Small Group Night Tour w/ Dinner & Light Show: $204
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Richmond $13Niagara Falls $20
Tours and Activities in Richmond
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Richmond are as follows:
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by Crazy Dash: $10
- Hollywood Cemetery Tour Richmond Lore and Civil War: $24
- Church Hill Chillers Ghost Tour: $25
- Richmond Ghosts: Sinister Scares of Shockoe Bottom Tour: $26
- Haunted Capitol Hill Ghost Tour: $30
- Court End Walking Ghost Tour: $30
- Monroe Park Campus Walking Ghost Tour: $30
- Church Hill Guided Ghost Tour: $30
- Downtown & Capitol Square Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $30
- Capitol Hill Ghost Walking Tour with A Guide: $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Niagara Falls
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Niagara Falls are as follows:
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Maid of the Mist$37
Tours and Activities in Niagara Falls
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Niagara Falls are as follows:
- Visit Niagara Falls with bus ticket from/to Hamilton Airport: $3.65
- Niagara Peninsula Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $6.21
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Niagara Adventure Theater: $11
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Niagara SkyWheel Ticket: $12
- Niagara SkyWheel Admission Ticket: $13
- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site Admission and Guided Tour: $13
- Niagara's Fury 4D Experience Entry Ticket: $14
- Niagara Falls USA Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
- Niagara Falls, Canada: White Water Walk Entry Ticket: $16
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Skylon Tower Observation Deck Ticket: $16
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Bird Kingdom Entry Ticket: $16
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Buffalo by Zombie Scavengers: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRichmond -Niagara Falls $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Richmond
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Richmond:
- Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Drink Richmond Craft Brewery Crawl: $74
- Richmond Craft Brewery Crawl By Junket: $74
- Brewery Tour of Richmond, VA: $90
Sample the Local Flavors in Niagara Falls
Also in Niagara Falls, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 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
- Niagara Craft Brewery Tour Niagara Falls: $110
- 3.5 Hours NOTL E-Bike Wine Tour: $111
- Niagara All American All inclusive Boutique Wine Tour : $114
- Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour: $119
- Full-Day Group Wine Tour (with cheese and charcuterie) in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $141
- myWineCountry Experience Premium Wine Tours and Tastings: $148
- Relaxing three courses Lunch & Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $148
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Picnic Lunch: $149
- Luxury Buffalo Brewery Tour: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Richmond and Niagara Falls, we can see that Richmond is more expensive. And not only is Niagara Falls much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Niagara Falls would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Niagara Falls 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 Richmond would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Richmond than you might in Niagara Falls.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Richmond Expensive? and Is Niagara Falls Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Richmond or Niagara Falls?
Richmond has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Niagara Falls. When comparing the sizes of Richmond and Niagara Falls, 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 Richmond or Niagara Falls?
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 Richmond or Niagara Falls in the Summer?
Both Niagara Falls and Richmond are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Richmond for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Richmond is generally a little warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Richmond average around 78°F (26°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
It's quite sunny in Niagara Falls. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Richmond. Richmond usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Niagara Falls during summer. Richmond gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Richmond. In July, Richmond usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Richmond gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRichmond 78°F (26°C)Niagara Falls 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Richmond or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?
Both Niagara Falls and Richmond during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Richmond because of the shopping scene.
Richmond is a little warmer than Niagara Falls in the autumn. The daily temperature in Richmond averages around 59°F (15°C) in October, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It's quite sunny in Richmond. In the autumn, Richmond often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Richmond gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 148 hours of full sun.
Richmond usually gets more rain in October than Niagara Falls. Richmond gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRichmond 59°F (15°C)Niagara Falls 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Richmond or Niagara Falls in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Richmond and Niagara Falls. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Richmond this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Niagara Falls. It's quite cold in Richmond in the winter. In the winter, Richmond is much warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the winter temperatures in Richmond in January average around 36°F (2°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about -4°C (26°F).
Richmond usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during winter. Richmond gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 89 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Richmond usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Richmond gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRichmond 36°F (2°C)Niagara Falls -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Richmond or Niagara Falls in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Richmond as well as Niagara Falls.
In April, Richmond is generally a little warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Richmond average around 58°F (14°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Niagara Falls. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Richmond this time of the year. In the spring, Richmond often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Richmond gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 203 hours of full sun.
Richmond usually gets more rain in April than Niagara Falls. Richmond gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRichmond 58°F (14°C)Niagara Falls 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Richmond
| Richmond | Niagara Falls | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (83 mm) | -4°C (26°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) | -3°C (28°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 58°F (14°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) | 23°C (74°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) | 22°C (72°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 6°C (43°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | -0°C (31°F) | 75 mm (2.9 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.