Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Roanoke?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Roanoke or Halifax?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Roanoke or Halifax? 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: Roanoke or Halifax?
Roanoke
Roanoke is a charming city located in the western region of the U.S. state of Virginia. Sometimes called the "Star City of the South" or the "Magic City," Roanoke lies in the scenic Roanoke Valley with Mill Mountain as a local icon, topped with a lighted 100-foot star. The city itself is home to many museums and opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Halifax
The quaint and charming coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia has an interesting personality. While it caters to travelers from all over the world, it maintains the pace and lifestyle of a small town.
Steeped in maritime history, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and one of the world's greatest natural harbors. This busy seaport serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.
When planning your trip keep in mind that this city has a climate like other coastal cities. Summers are nice with the occasional humidity. Winters are mild, but still full of snow and wind. The best time of year to visit is most certainly the fall.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRoanoke $164Halifax $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Roanoke is $164, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $114. 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 Roanoke and Halifax in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRoanoke $96Halifax $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRoanoke $192Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Roanoke and Halifax
Looking for a hotel in Roanoke or Halifax? 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: Roanoke Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Roanoke $23Halifax $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax
Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209
- Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
- From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80
- Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
- Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
- Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Roanoke or Halifax?
Prices for flights to both Halifax and Roanoke 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 dayRoanoke $48Halifax $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roanoke
For Roanoke, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Roanoke Ebike Food Tour: $150
Typical Food Prices in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Bluenose II Restaurant$45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $160
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Roanoke $35Halifax $28
Tours and Activities in Roanoke
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Roanoke.
- 3-Hour E-Bike Sightseeing and Breweries Tour in Roanoke: $109
- Blue Ridge Parkway – Driving Audio Tour (Roanoke ↔ Afton): $12
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Roanoke to Afton) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia) Driving Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
- Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
- Mountain Bike Tour from The Roanoke Star: $139
- Roanoke Downtown Food and Cultural Tour: $78
- Roanoke Holiday Season E-Bike Tour: $92
Tours and Activities in Halifax
For Halifax, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Exlore Halifax with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
- From City and Peggy's Cove Sunset Guided Tour: $65
- From Small Group Lunenberg Express Tour: $120
- Halifax Boardwalk and Seaport: Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
- Halifax self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
- Churches, Gardens, & Graveyards Smartphone Tour: $5.11
- City Segway Tour: $67
- Discover the Halifax Explosion Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Full Day City Sightseeing Tour: $1,675
- Guided Harbourfront Food Walking Tour: $120
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & Museum: $102
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRoanoke $30Halifax $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roanoke and Halifax, we can see that Roanoke is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Roanoke would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Roanoke than you might in Halifax.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Roanoke Expensive? and Is Halifax Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Halifax?
Halifax has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of Roanoke and Halifax, 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 Roanoke or Halifax?
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 Roanoke or Halifax in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Roanoke and Halifax. Many travelers come to Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Roanoke is a little warmer than Halifax. Typically, the summer temperatures in Roanoke in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Halifax averages at about 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Halifax this time of the year. In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. Roanoke usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during summer. Roanoke gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun in the summer.
Roanoke gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Roanoke usually receives around the same amount of rain as Halifax. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRoanoke 79°F (26°C)Halifax 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Roanoke or Halifax in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Roanoke as well as Halifax. Many visitors come to Roanoke in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Roanoke is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 60°F (16°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In the autumn, Roanoke often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Roanoke gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Halifax. Roanoke usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRoanoke 60°F (16°C)Halifax 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Roanoke or Halifax in the Winter?
Both Halifax and Roanoke are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Roanoke for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Halifax can be very cold. Roanoke can be very cold during winter. Roanoke is much warmer than Halifax in the winter. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 38°F (3°C) in January, and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).
Roanoke usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during winter. Roanoke gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In January, Roanoke usually receives less rain than Halifax. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRoanoke 38°F (3°C)Halifax -4°C (24°F)
Should I visit Roanoke or Halifax in the Spring?
Both Halifax and Roanoke during the spring are popular places to visit.
It's quite cold in Halifax in the spring. In the spring, Roanoke is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the spring temperatures in Roanoke in April average around 59°F (15°C), and Halifax averages at about 4°C (39°F).
It's quite sunny in Roanoke. In the spring, Roanoke often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Roanoke gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.
Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Roanoke usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRoanoke 59°F (15°C)Halifax 4°C (39°F)
Typical Weather for Halifax and Roanoke
| Roanoke | Halifax | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 38°F (3°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | -4°C (24°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 41°F (5°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 50°F (10°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | -1°C (31°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 4°C (39°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (88 mm) | 14°C (57°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Oct | 60°F (16°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Nov | 51°F (11°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 5°C (40°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 42°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | -1°C (29°F) | 152 mm (6 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.