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

Should you visit Saint Simons or Victoria?

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

Should I visit Saint Simons or Victoria? 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: Saint Simons or Victoria?

Saint Simons

Located just off the coast of southern Georgia, Saint Simons Island is the largest of the state’s renowned "Golden Isle's." Visitors are drawn to the Island for its warm climate, beaches, variety of outdoor activities, shops and restaurants, historical sites, and its natural environment. With most of the natural marsh and woodlands to the north and the commercial attractions centralized in the south, Saint Simons has a little taste of everything for all who come to see it.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Saint Simons?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Simons is $176, 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 Saint Simons and Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Simons $100
    Victoria $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Simons $200
    Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Saint Simons and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons


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: Saint Simons Hotel Prices and Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Simons $49
    Victoria $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria

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

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Simons or Victoria?

Prices for flights to both Victoria and Saint Simons 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
    Saint Simons $48
    Victoria $27

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.
    Saint Simons $16
    Victoria $45

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
    Saint Simons $60
    Victoria $16

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 Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons Expensive? and Is Victoria Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint Simons or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Simons. When comparing the sizes of Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons or Victoria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Simons as well as Victoria. Most visitors come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Saint Simons is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 82°F (28°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Saint Simons receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Simons usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Saint Simons gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Simons 82°F (28°C) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Saint Simons or Victoria in the Autumn?

Both Victoria and Saint Simons are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint Simons is much warmer than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In October, Saint Simons usually receives more rain than Victoria. Saint Simons gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Simons 70°F (21°C) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Saint Simons or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and Saint Simons during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Victoria. In the winter, Saint Simons is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Simons in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Victoria gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Simons usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Saint Simons gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Simons 53°F (12°C) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Saint Simons or Victoria in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Simons and Victoria. Many travelers come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Simons is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 68°F (20°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Saint Simons usually receives more rain than Victoria. Saint Simons gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Simons 68°F (20°C) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Saint Simons

Saint Simons Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)