A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vail vs. Quebec City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vail or Quebec City?

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

Should I visit Vail or Quebec City? 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: Vail or Quebec City?

Vail

Vail is one of the premier ski resort areas in the United States. Located in central Colorado, Vail is not far from Denver and situated in the heart of the Rockies. Here you'll find a quaint mountain town designed around tourism, especially for the winter, although plenty of visitors come in the warmer months, too.

High-end hotels, condos, and other accommodation options are surrounded by shops and restaurants that are all somewhat expensive compared to other costs in the United States. Because of this, Vail is definitely not considered an "affordable" travel option for many. However, good deals can be found if you look around and do some research.

Quebec City

Quebec City is the capital of the Quebec province. It has a dramatic location on the cliffs by St. Lawrence Seaway and the city's Old Town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quebec is a mid sized city with a population of about 700,000. Most of the economy is administrative and bureaucratic, but the city has a very impressive history as the fortress capital of New France. French is the official language of the entire province, but most people in the tourist areas of Quebec City speak English.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Quebec City or Vail?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Vail is $291, while the average daily cost in Quebec City is $126. 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 Vail and Quebec City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vail $174
    Quebec City $73
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vail $348
    Quebec City $146
Compare Hotels in Vail and Quebec City

Looking for a hotel in Vail or Quebec City? 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 Vail


Hotels in Quebec City


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: Vail Hotel Prices and Quebec City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vail $19
    Quebec City $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vail

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

  • Avon/Vail Valley to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer : $238
  • EGE Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Vail, Beaver Creek, and Avon: $229
  • Eagle Airport (EGE) to Glenwood Resorts Round-Trip Transfer: $153
  • Eagle Airport (EGE) to Glenwood Springs Resorts Arrival Transfer: $76
  • Eagle County Airport to Breckenridge Keystone: Arrival Transfer: $93
  • Eagle County Airport to Steamboat - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $153
  • Eagle County Airport to Steamboat Springs-Round-Trip Transfer: $120
  • Eagle County Airport to Vail/Beaver Creek/Avon-Arrival Transfer: $115
  • Eagle County Airport(EGE) to Steamboat - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
  • Eagle County Regional (EGE) to Steamboat Springs-Arrival Transfer: $120
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Vail Airport EGE: $156
  • Private Departure Transfer to Vail Airport EGE: $128

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quebec City

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Quebec City are as follows:


  • Parking in Quebec City
    $3.63

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quebec City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quebec City:

  • Le Terminal Quebec Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Quebec: $228
  • Québec Airport (YQB): Transfer to Le Terminal Quebec Port: $228
  • Le Terminal Quebec Cruise Port to Quebec - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $194
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Quebec Airport YQB: $120
  • Private Departure Transfer to Quebec Airport YQB: $120
  • Quebec Airport (YQB) to Downtown private transfer: $117
  • Québec Airport (YQB) to Le Terminal Quebec Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $113
  • Private transfer from YQB (QUEBEC) Airport to downtown: $108
  • Jean Lesage Arrivals Private Airport Transfer: $108
  • Private Transfer from Quebec City to YQB airport: $108
  • Québec Jean Lesage Airport (YQB) to Québec city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $103
  • YQB Quebec City Airport Cruise Terminal Train Station Transfer: $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Vail or Quebec City?

Prices for flights to both Quebec City and Vail 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
    Vail $74
    Quebec City $37

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quebec City

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quebec City.

  • 5-Course Dinner Cruise with Music & VIP Option: $160
  • Old Quebec 5-Course Gourmet Food Tour: $189
  • Combo Historical and Food Tour of the Old Quebec City: $192
  • Evening Gourmet Tour 5 Course Dinner - History and Food in Old Quebec City: $192

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vail $133
    Quebec City $24

Tours and Activities in Vail

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

  • Smartphone Driving Tour between Denver & Vail / Breckenridge: $7.99
  • Save the Mountain Escape Room Adventure: $45
  • Vail Segway Tour from Vail Village: $89
  • Stand Up Paddle Board Colorado River Adventure: Guided Half Day : $98
  • Inflatable Kayak Adventure Colorado River: Half Day Guided Tour : $109
  • Bike Tour or Mountain Bike down Vail Mountain: $120
  • Dillon Marina & Shopping Tour: $267

Tours and Activities in Quebec City

Here are a few actual costs in Quebec City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Electric fatbike Tour of Québec City: $112
  • Magnificent Montmorency Falls Private E-Bike Tour: $149
  • 2-Hour Christmas Magic Tour in Old Quebec: $29
  • APP Self-Guided Tours Quebec with Audioguide: $8.73
  • Amazing Old Quebec City Classique Walking Tour with 1 Funicular Ticket included: $33
  • Animated Crime Walking Tour in Old Quebec: $19
  • Beautiful walking tour of Old Québec: $28
  • Beyond the Walls Private E-Bike Tour: $178
  • Bike Tour to Montmorency Falls from Quebec City: $126
  • Bite-Sized Tours: $104
  • City & Market Farm Tour from Québec: $34
  • Electric Bike Tour of Quebec City: $127

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vail $9.79
    Quebec City $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Quebec City

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Quebec City:

  • Honey and Distillery Tour with Tasting: $21
  • Craft Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour: $50
  • Island of Orleans Wine Tour: $91
  • Wine Tasting on Ile d'Orleans: $93
  • Quebec City : eTandem Rental on Ile d'Orleans-wine tasting: $116


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vail and Quebec City, we can see that Vail is more expensive. And not only is Quebec City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Quebec City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quebec City 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 Vail would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vail than you might in Quebec City.

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


Which is Bigger, Vail or Quebec City?

Quebec City has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Vail. When comparing the sizes of Vail and Quebec City, 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.