Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Sydney?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sydney or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney 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: Sydney or Vancouver?
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, 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 daySydney $278Vancouver $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $278, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $142. 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 Sydney and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSydney $104Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSydney $208Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Sydney 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: Sydney Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sydney $15Vancouver $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$13
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Taxi to Airport$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- Airport Transfer From Sydney Airport to Hotels and Home: $295
- Private Transfer from Sydney Hotels to Airport: $255
- Tandem Skydive with Optional Transfers: $251
- Premium Private Transfer FROM Sydney CBD/Downtown to Sydney Airport 1-11 people: $241
- Premium Private Transfer FROM Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD/Downtown 1-11 people: $238
- Premium Private Transfer FROM Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD/Downtown 1-13 people: $215
- Sydney Airport (SYD): Private Transfer to Sydney hotels: $207
- Airport transfers and shuttle bus - home/hotels: $198
- From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $195
- Airport Transfer From Sydney Airport to Hotels and Home: $165
- Sydney Airport Departure Transfer (Sydney Central Business District to Airport): $164
- Sydney Airport Private Car Departure Transfer: $164
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport$6.40
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
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15 min Taxi Ride$8.78
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SkyTrain DayPass$6.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Vancouver YVR or Cruise Port to Vancouver by SUV: $120
- Arrival Private Transfer: Vancouver Airport YVR to Vancouver in Luxury Car: $163
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $93
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $186
- Canada Place Cruise Port: Transfer to Vancouver hotels: $428
- Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury Car: $163
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury SUV: $133
- Maximize Your Cruise Adventure: Vancouver Tour & Transfer: $292
- Mount Washington to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Transfer: $93
- Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Sydney 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 daySydney $45Vancouver $31
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.64
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Lunch Special$9.91
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$9.91
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Meat Pies$3.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Lights Festival Pizza Cruise Tour in Vivid Sydney: $16
- VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $36
- Admission to Vivid Dinner Cruise in Sydney : $46
- Vivid Sydney Harbor Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $46
- Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $50
- Sydney Street Art & Food Tour: $53
- Christmas in July Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $57
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Twilight Dinner Cruise (1.5 hour): $59
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise: $59
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$8.87
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: $94
- 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
- Evening Cruise with Dinner Buffet: $153
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
- Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sydney $32Vancouver $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$30
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$30
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$126
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Powerhouse Museum$9.94
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Small-Group Sydney's Northern Beaches and Ku-ring-gai National Park Bus Tour: $231
- 1 Day Thredbo Snow Tour: $100
- 1 Day Thredbo Snow Tour From Sydney: $100
- 1 Day/3 Day/7 Day Vintage Classic Car Driving Experience-Aus wide: $234
- 1 Hour Sydney Harbour Highlights Catamaran Cruise: $33
- 1.5 HR Vivid Sydney Harbour Cocktail Cruise: $37
- 2 Hours Sydney Harbour's True Crime Cruise Tour: $37
- 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in Sydney Harbour National Park : $36
- 3 Hours Abba Tribute Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $65
- 3 Hr Whale Watching Discovery Cruise in Sydney: $72
- 3-Hour Private Bike Tour with a Local Sydney Guide: $228
- 3.5 Hours Explore Bondi Beach and Sydney Sightseeing Tour: $195
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: $4.31
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.75
- 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: $6.99
- Self-Guided Smartphone Tour of Stanley Park: $7.31
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySydney $15Vancouver $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Haunted Pub Tour with Local Guide: $21
- Sydney's Haunted Pub Tour with a Licensed Guide: $26
- Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $30
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl: $30
- Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $47
- Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $56
- Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $56
- Beach and Brew - Hike and Brewery (Men and Women): $73
- The Rocks Pub Walking Tour: $77
- Marrickville Brewery Tour: $77
- Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $77
- Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $84
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: $88
- 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
- From Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Local Tastings: $139
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $165
- Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
- Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Vancouver, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific and Vancouver is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sydney or Vancouver?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Vancouver. When comparing the sizes of Sydney 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 Sydney or Vancouver?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Vancouver has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Sydney or Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver and Sydney during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sydney is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sydney in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F)in July.
In Vancouver, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the summer, Sydney often gets less sunshine than Vancouverin July. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually gets more rain in January than Vancouverin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySydney 23°C (73°F)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Sydney or Vancouver in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Vancouver. Many visitors come to Sydney in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In April, Sydney is generally much warmer than Vancouverin October. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 19°C (65°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sydney usually receives less rain than Vancouverin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSydney 19°C (65°F)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Sydney or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Vancouver. Most visitors come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Vancouver can be very cold. Sydney is much warmer than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the winter, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Vancouverin January. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Sydney usually gets less rain in July than Vancouverin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySydney 12°C (53°F)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Sydney or Vancouver in the Spring?
Both Vancouver and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Sydney is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sydney in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Sydney usually receives less rain than Vancouverin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSydney 18°C (64°F)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Sydney
| Sydney | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 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.