A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Richmond vs. Victoria for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Richmond or Victoria?

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 Victoria can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Richmond or Victoria?

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.

Victoria

The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.

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 Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Richmond?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Richmond is $161, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $182. 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 Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Richmond $101
    Victoria $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Richmond $202
    Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Richmond and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Richmond or Victoria? 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.

Hotels in Richmond


Hotels in Victoria


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 Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Richmond $72
    Victoria $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Richmond

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Richmond:

  • Richmond City to Richmond Airport (RIC) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
  • Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond city - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $72

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria

Also for Victoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $74
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Hotel Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $87
  • Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria: $206
  • Seaplane Transfer between Victoria and Whistler: $219

Is it cheaper to fly into Richmond or Victoria?

Prices for flights to both Victoria 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Richmond $21
    Victoria $27

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 Victoria

For Victoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Chocolate Lovers Food Tour: $44
  • Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $58
  • Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $59
  • Victoria Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $73
  • Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $146

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Richmond $13
    Victoria $45

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 Victoria

For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Victoria self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.28
  • Victoria Harbor: Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • 2.5-hour Tips-Based City Walking Tour: $6.58
  • Victoria, BC: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $11
  • Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $13
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Experience Victoria by Foot Walking Tour: $15
  • Butterfly Gardens Admission Ticket: $15
  • Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $16
  • Cultural & Historical Victoria Walking Tour: $16
  • Malahat SkyWalk General Admission Tickets: $29
  • Experience Victoria City Tour: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Richmond -
    Victoria $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 Victoria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:

  • Guided Pub Crawl with Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $48
  • 3-Hour Street Art & Craft Beer Tour of Victoria, Brewery Tour & Tasting included: $101
  • Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $134
  • Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $439


When comparing the travel costs between Richmond and Victoria, we can see that Victoria 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 Victoria Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Richmond or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Richmond. When comparing the sizes of Richmond and Victoria, 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 Victoria?

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 Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria and Richmond during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Richmond in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Richmond is much warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Richmond averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Richmond. Richmond usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Richmond gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Richmond 78°F (26°C) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Richmond or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Richmond and Victoria. Most visitors come to Richmond for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Richmond is a little warmer than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Richmond in October average around 59°F (15°C), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In October, Richmond usually receives more rain than Victoria. Richmond gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Richmond 59°F (15°C) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Richmond or Victoria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Richmond as well as Victoria. The winter months attract visitors to Richmond because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Victoria in the winter. The weather in Richmond can be very cold. In January, Richmond is generally much colder than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Richmond average around 36°F (2°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

It's quite rainy in Victoria. Richmond usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Richmond gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Richmond 36°F (2°C) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Richmond or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and Richmond are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Richmond is much warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Richmond averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Richmond usually receives more rain than Victoria. Richmond gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Richmond 58°F (14°C) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Richmond

Richmond Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 36°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (83 mm) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (80 mm) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 49°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 58°F (14°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 67°F (19°C) 3.8 inches (98 mm) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 5 inches (128 mm) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 77°F (25°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 71°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 59°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 41°F (5°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)