Which place is cheaper, Vernon or Vail?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Vail or Vernon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vail or Vernon? 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 Vernon?
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.
Vernon
Vernon is located in British Columbia, Canada. It's in the Okanagan region of the Southern Interior and dates back to 1892. The city has a population of about 40,000 and the Greater Vernon area has a population of about 58,584. It's the largest city in the North Okanagan Regional District. In many ways Vernon feels like most other towns around North America, but if you find yourself here with some time to spare, you can find a handful of activities that will help you see it's unique personality and interesting qualities. The town is most popular for its lakes and beaches during the summer monts, and its skiing and hockey during the winter months.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVail $291Vernon $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Vail is $291, while the average daily cost in Vernon is $30. 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 Vernon in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVail $174Vernon $4.82
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVail $348Vernon $9.64
Compare Hotels in Vail and Vernon
Looking for a hotel in Vail or Vernon? 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: Vail Hotel Prices and Vernon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vail $19Vernon -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vail
Also for Vail, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Eagle County Airport(EGE) to Steamboat - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
- Eagle County Airport to Breckenridge Keystone: Arrival Transfer: $93
- Eagle County Airport to Vail/Beaver Creek/Avon-Arrival Transfer: $115
- Eagle County Airport to Steamboat Springs-Round-Trip Transfer: $121
- Eagle County Regional (EGE) to Steamboat Springs-Arrival Transfer: $121
- Private Departure Transfer to Vail Airport EGE: $128
- Eagle County Airport to Steamboat - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $154
- Eagle Airport (EGE) to Glenwood Resorts Round-Trip Transfer: $154
- Private Arrival Transfer from Vail Airport EGE: $156
- Vail/Beaver Creek/Avon to Denver Airport DEN - Departure Transfer: $219
- EGE Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Vail, Beaver Creek, and Avon: $230
- Avon/Vail Valley to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer : $239
Is it cheaper to fly into Vail or Vernon?
Prices for flights to both Vernon 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 dayVail $74Vernon $25
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vail $133Vernon -
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
- 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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayVail $9.79Vernon $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vail and Vernon, we can see that Vail is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon 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 Vernon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vail Expensive? and Is Vernon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vail or Vernon?
Vernon has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vail. When comparing the sizes of Vail and Vernon, 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.
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.