Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Richmond?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Richmond or Vancouver?
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 Vancouver can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Richmond or Vancouver?
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.
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 Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping 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 dayRichmond $161Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Richmond is $161, 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 Richmond and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRichmond $101Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRichmond $202Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Richmond and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Richmond 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: Richmond Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Richmond $72Vancouver $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Richmond
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Richmond:
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $72
- Richmond City to Richmond Airport (RIC) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond city - Arrival Private Transfer: $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 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 Richmond or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver 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 $21Vancouver $31
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
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.Richmond $13Vancouver $36
Tours and Activities in Richmond
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Richmond are as follows:
- Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond: $44
- Church Hill Chillers Ghost Tour: $25
- Church Hill Segway Tour in Richmond: $80
- Discover Downtown Richmond Bike Tour: $125
- Guided Walking Tour of Richmond: $38
- Haunted Capitol Hill Ghost Tour: $30
- Historic Trolley Tour: $38
- Hollywood Cemetery Segway Tour in Richmond: $76
- Hollywood Cemetery Tour Richmond Lore and Civil War: $24
- Phantoms of Franklin Ghost Tour: $30
- RVATukTuk Sightseeing Tour of Richmond: $187
- Richmond Downtown Walking Tour: $38
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 dayRichmond -Vancouver $16
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 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 comparing the travel costs between Richmond and Vancouver, we can see that Richmond 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 Richmond Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Richmond or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Richmond. When comparing the sizes of Richmond 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 Richmond 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 Richmond or Vancouver in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Richmond as well as Vancouver. Many visitors come to Richmond in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Richmond is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Richmond in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Richmond this time of the year. In the summer, Richmond often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Richmond gets 305 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.
Richmond receives a lot of rain in the summer. Richmond usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Richmond gets 5 inches (128 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 JulyRichmond 78°F (26°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Richmond or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver and Richmond are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Richmond for the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Richmond is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Richmond average around 59°F (15°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Richmond. Richmond usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Richmond gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Richmond usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Richmond gets 3.5 inches (90 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 OctoberRichmond 59°F (15°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Richmond or Vancouver in the Winter?
Both Vancouver and Richmond during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Richmond because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Vancouver in the winter. The weather in Richmond can be very cold. Richmond is much colder than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Richmond averages around 36°F (2°C) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Richmond often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Richmond gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Richmond usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Richmond gets 3.2 inches (83 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 JanuaryRichmond 36°F (2°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Richmond or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Richmond and Vancouver.
In the spring, Richmond is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Richmond in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).
In Richmond, it's very sunny this time of the year. Richmond usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Richmond gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Richmond usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Richmond gets 3 inches (75 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 AprilRichmond 58°F (14°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Richmond
| Richmond | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (83 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 58°F (14°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (83 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.