A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Roanoke vs. Vernon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Roanoke or Vernon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Roanoke or Vernon? 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 Vernon?

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.

Vernon

Vernon is located in British Columbia, Canada. It's in the Okanagan region of the Southern Interior and dates back to 1892. The city has a population of about 40,000 and the Greater Vernon area has a population of about 58,584. It's the largest city in the North Okanagan Regional District. In many ways Vernon feels like most other towns around North America, but if you find yourself here with some time to spare, you can find a handful of activities that will help you see it's unique personality and interesting qualities. The town is most popular for its lakes and beaches during the summer monts, and its skiing and hockey during the winter months.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Vernon or Roanoke?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Roanoke is $164, while the average daily cost in Vernon is $31. 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 Vernon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Roanoke $96
    Vernon $4.82
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Roanoke $192
    Vernon $9.64
Compare Hotels in Roanoke and Vernon

Looking for a hotel in Roanoke or Vernon? 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 Roanoke


Hotels in Vernon


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 Vernon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Roanoke $23
    Vernon -

Is it cheaper to fly into Roanoke or Vernon?

Prices for flights to both Vernon 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Roanoke $48
    Vernon $25

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Roanoke $35
    Vernon -

Tours and Activities in Roanoke

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Roanoke.

  • Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia) Driving Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
  • Blue Ridge Parkway – Driving Audio Tour (Roanoke ↔ Afton): $12
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Roanoke to Afton) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Roanoke Downtown Food and Cultural Tour: $78
  • Roanoke Holiday Season E-Bike Tour: $92
  • 3-Hour E-Bike Sightseeing and Breweries Tour in Roanoke: $109
  • Mountain Bike Tour from The Roanoke Star: $139

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Roanoke $30
    Vernon $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roanoke and Vernon, we can see that Roanoke is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon 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 Vernon.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Roanoke Expensive? and Is Vernon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Vernon?

Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of Roanoke and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

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 Roanoke or Vernon in the Summer?

Both Vernon and Roanoke during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Roanoke is a little warmer than Vernon in the summer. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Vernon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. Roanoke usually gets more rain in July than Vernon. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Roanoke 79°F (26°C) 
    Vernon 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Roanoke or Vernon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Roanoke and Vernon. Many visitors come to Roanoke in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Roanoke is a little warmer than Vernon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Roanoke in October average around 60°F (16°C), and Vernon averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In October, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Vernon. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Roanoke 60°F (16°C) 
    Vernon 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Roanoke or Vernon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Roanoke as well as Vernon. Most visitors come to Roanoke for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Vernon can be very cold. Roanoke can be very cold during winter. In January, Roanoke is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 38°F (3°C), and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

Roanoke usually gets more rain in January than Vernon. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Roanoke 38°F (3°C) 
    Vernon -3°C (27°F)

Should I visit Roanoke or Vernon in the Spring?

Both Vernon and Roanoke are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Roanoke is a little warmer than Vernon in the spring. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In April, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Vernon. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Roanoke 59°F (15°C) 
    Vernon 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Vernon and Roanoke

Roanoke Vernon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 38°F (3°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) -3°C (27°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Feb 41°F (5°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 2°C (35°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 50°F (10°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 7°C (44°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 59°F (15°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 12°C (53°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 16°C (61°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Jun 75°F (24°C) 3.4 inches (88 mm) 21°C (69°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm) 23°C (73°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 23°C (73°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 17°C (63°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 60°F (16°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 11°C (51°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Nov 51°F (11°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 4°C (39°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Dec 42°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) -1°C (30°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)