Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Seattle?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Seattle or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Seattle or Vancouver, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Seattle or Vancouver?
Seattle
Situated on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington, Seattle is the largest city in the United States Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the water and mountains and filled with evergreen trees. It's also the home of some famous American institutions including Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and Microsoft. The population of almost 700,000 continues to grow. As of 2014, the city was considered the fastest growing major city in the United States. The entire metropolitan area has about 3.6 million residents, making it the 15th largest metro area in the US. The natural beauty, growing economy, and educational base give Seattle a youthful vibe that keep the city young and energetic.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, 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 daySeattle $205Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Seattle is $205, 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 Seattle and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeattle $120Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeattle $240Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Seattle and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Seattle 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: Seattle Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Seattle $30Vancouver $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seattle
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
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Lightrail from Airport (for 2)$5.50
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Roundtrip Ferry to Bainbridge Island (for 2)$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seattle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
- Smith Cove Terminal: Private Transfer to Seattle hotels: $308
- Seattle Tacoma Airport(SEA): Transfer to Smith Cove Terminal: $308
- Seattle, WA: Seaplane transfer to Vancouver, BC: $283
- Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA): Private Transfer to Seattle: $265
- Private Transfer Seattle Airport SEA to Seattle center or port by Minibus or SUV: $195
- From Seattle Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $175
- From Seattle Airport - Transfer to Hotel & Homes: $175
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Seattle Airport (SEA) -Seattle Downtown: $171
- Seattle Tacoma Airport to Summit at Snoqualmie Arrival Transfer: $153
- Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) to Smith Cove Terminal - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $149
- Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $149
- From Snoqualmie Falls and Wineries Tour w/ Transfer: $145
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 Seattle or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Seattle 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 daySeattle $51Vancouver $31
Typical Food Prices in Seattle
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
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Expresso & cookie at Pier 70$7.00
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Cashews at Pike Place Market$6.00
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6 Mini Donuts at Pike Place Market$3.25
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Chinese Lunch in International District (for 2)$21
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Breakfast at Lowel's in Pike Place Market (for 2)$32
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Breakfast at French Cafe (for 2)$37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seattle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
- Seattle : Fun Cooking Classes With Chef Seamus: $60
- Secret Food Tours Seattle: $65
- Seattle Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours: $67
- Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour: $67
- Eat Around the World Seattle Food Tour: $69
- International District Food Tour: $69
- Street Food Tour of South Lake Union: $75
- Secret Food Tours: Seattle Pike Place Market: $85
- Pike Place Market Food Tour: $99
- Small Group Cooking Class: $138
- Private Seattle Cooking Class with a Chef in Her Home: $198
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.Seattle $16Vancouver $36
Tours and Activities in Seattle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
- 3 Hour Seattle City Tour: $90
- 2 Hour Seattle City Snapshots Tour: $85
- 2 Hour Sound Tour: $98
- 2-Hour Seattle Sailing Harbor Tour: $45
- 3 Hours Electric Bike Tour of Seattle's Waterways, Nature and Neighborhoods: $87
- 5-hour Seattle and Suburbs Attractions Tour: $185
- Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour: $29
- Best of Seattle Small Group Walking Tour W/ Space Needle: $244
- Boeing Factory Tour with Guided Transport from Seattle: $125
- Chef Guided Happy Hour Tour - Cocktails, Bubbles and Bites: $140
- CitySightseeing Seattle Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras: $43
- Customized Mount Rainier Tour from Seattle: $176
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 daySeattle $16Vancouver $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Seattle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
- Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $38
- Where the Hops Grow! Yakima Brewery Tour : $40
- Woodinville Wine Country: Downtown Wine Tasting Pass: $65
- Woodinville Wine Country: Artisan Hill Wine Tasting Pass: $65
- Brewery and Restaurant Tour of Historic Seattle Neighborhood: $109
- Bon Vivant Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour : $120
- From Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tasting: $262
- Snoqualmie Falls + Wine Tasting: All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour: $263
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Seattle and Vancouver, we can see that Seattle is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vancouver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vancouver 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle than you might in Vancouver.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Seattle Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Seattle or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle or Vancouver in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Seattle as well as Vancouver. Many travelers come to Seattle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Seattle is around the same temperature as Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Seattle in July average around 67°F (19°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 Seattle this time of the year. In the summer, Seattle often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Seattle gets 313 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.
Seattle usually gets less rain in July than Vancouver. Seattle gets 0.9 inches (22 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 JulySeattle 67°F (19°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Seattle or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver and Seattle are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Seattle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Seattle is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Seattle average around 54°F (12°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Seattle usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Seattle gets 143 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, Seattle usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Seattle gets 3.3 inches (83 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 OctoberSeattle 54°F (12°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Seattle or Vancouver in the Winter?
Both Vancouver and Seattle during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Seattle for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Vancouver can be very cold. Seattle is a little warmer than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Seattle averages around 42°F (5°C) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Seattle often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Seattle gets 67 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Seattle. Seattle usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Seattle gets 5.4 inches (136 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 JanuarySeattle 42°F (5°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Seattle or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Seattle and Vancouver. The spring months attract visitors to Seattle because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Seattle is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Seattle in April average around 51°F (11°C), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).
In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. Seattle usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Seattle gets 212 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, Seattle usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Seattle gets 2.5 inches (64 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 AprilSeattle 51°F (11°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Seattle
| Seattle | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 42°F (5°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 47°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 51°F (11°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 62°F (17°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 67°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 67°F (19°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 42°F (6°C) | 6 inches (152 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.