Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Sonoma?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sonoma or Victoria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Sonoma and Victoria can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Sonoma or Victoria?
Sonoma
When people say Sonoma, they are often referring to the region's wine country, but in fact, Sonoma is a county, a valley, and a town. The county covers 1,768 square miles and is more spread out than nearby Napa. There are more than 30 cities and towns in the county and 425 wineries with tasting rooms. The county also borders the Pacific Ocean, and the beautiful 55 mile stretch of coastline is rugged and dramatic.
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 Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySonoma $219Victoria $182
The average daily cost (per person) in Sonoma is $219, 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 Sonoma and Victoria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSonoma $93Victoria $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSonoma $186Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Sonoma and Victoria
Looking for a hotel in Sonoma 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.
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: Sonoma Hotel Prices and Victoria Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sonoma $134Victoria $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria
Also for Victoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Seaplane Transfer between Victoria and Whistler: $219
- Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria: $206
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $88
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Hotel Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
- Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $75
- Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Sonoma or Victoria?
Prices for flights to both Victoria and Sonoma 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 daySonoma $56Victoria $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: $60
- Victoria Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $73
- Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $146
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sonoma $16Victoria $45
Tours and Activities in Sonoma
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sonoma.
- Create your own wine blend experience: $140
- From Napa Valley Classic Sidecar Tour to 3 Wineries: $300
- Sonoma Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour & Game: $49
- Sonoma Valley: Guided Winery Tour with Picnic Lunch: $126
- Sonoma Valley: Wine Trolley Tasting Tour with Lunch: $125
Tours and Activities in Victoria
For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Victoria Highlights Private Walking Tour: $277
- 3-Hour Bike Tour of Victoria City & the Coastal Shoreside: $78
- 4 Hour Afternoon Whale Watching Tour: $168
- 4 Hour Morning Whale Watching Tour: $168
- 60-Minute Beacon Hill Park Tour: $206
- 75-Minute The Royal Tour: $247
- 90-Minute The Capital Tour: $288
- Beacon Hill Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Victoria: $206
- Bike 3-hour City Highlights Tour & coastal ride: $94
- Butchart & Beyond: The Grand Victoria Tour: $329
- COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix: $98
- Castles, Hoods & Legends - Bike Tour: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySonoma $41Victoria $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Sonoma
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sonoma:
- San Francisco: Half-Day Wine Tour with 2 Tastings Included: $189
- Sonoma Food & Wine Tour: $235
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
- Victoria Craft Brewery Tour: $90
- 3-Hour Street Art & Craft Beer Tour of Victoria, Brewery Tour & Tasting included: $102
- Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $135
- Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $439
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sonoma and Victoria, we can see that Sonoma is more expensive. And not only is Victoria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Victoria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Victoria 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 Sonoma would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sonoma than you might in Victoria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sonoma Expensive? and Is Victoria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sonoma or Victoria?
Victoria has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sonoma. When comparing the sizes of Sonoma 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 Sonoma or Victoria?
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 Sonoma or Victoria in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sonoma and Victoria. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sonoma this time of year.
Sonoma is a little warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Sonoma averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In July, Sonoma usually receives less rain than Victoria. Sonoma gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySonoma 73°F (23°C)Victoria 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Sonoma or Victoria in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sonoma as well as Victoria. Many travelers come to Sonoma for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Sonoma is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sonoma in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Sonoma usually gets less rain in October than Victoria. Sonoma gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSonoma 62°F (17°C)Victoria 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sonoma or Victoria in the Winter?
Both Victoria and Sonoma are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sonoma in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Victoria can be very cold during winter. In January, Sonoma is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Sonoma average around 46°F (8°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Victoria. In January, Sonoma usually receives less rain than Victoria. Sonoma gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySonoma 46°F (8°C)Victoria 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Sonoma or Victoria in the Spring?
Both Victoria and Sonoma during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sonoma for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
Sonoma is a little warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Sonoma averages around 56°F (13°C) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Sonoma usually gets less rain in April than Victoria. Sonoma gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSonoma 56°F (13°C)Victoria 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Victoria and Sonoma
| Sonoma | Victoria | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 5°C (41°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 56°F (13°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 14°C (58°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) | 16°C (61°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 70°F (21°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 62°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) | 11°C (52°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 8°C (46°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 46°F (8°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 5°C (42°F) | 153 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.