A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Vernon vs. Victoria for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Vernon or Victoria?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vernon or Victoria, 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.

Vernon

Vernon is a quiet, peaceful, and relaxing town. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Vernon travel costs.

Victoria

Victoria is a cultural, scenic, and relaxing city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food. See Victoria travel costs.

Vernon and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vernon or Victoria?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Victoria. Although Vernon and Victoria are popular destinations, Victoria has more sights and attractions for tourists. Victoria is very popular for its nightlife, while Vernon attracts visitors for its hiking. Victoria is more touristy than Vernon and is popular for its colonial buildings and public parks. It is also well known for Butchart Gardens. Vernon is famous for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails.

How is Vernon different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Victoria and Vernon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Vernon or Victoria?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Vernon or Victoria.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Vernon. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Victoria is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several popular museums like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Also make sure you check out the Parliament Buildings.

Is the Food Better in Vernon or Victoria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Vernon and Victoria.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Vernon area. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Victoria. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

Is Vernon or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

Victoria is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Victoria. There are a good number of bars and pubs around town. Most offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a cold drink in a casual setting.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Vernon or Victoria Better for Hiking?

Vernon is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Vernon. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Victoria is a good destination for hiking. There are many outdoor spaces and parks that offer local hiking trails. This is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Vernon or Victoria?

Both Vernon and Victoria are nice shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Vernon to go shopping. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Victoria. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

Is Vernon or Victoria Better for Families?

Victoria is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Victoria is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get the energy out. Walking trails are popular. You can also do the Malahat SkyWalk which offers impressive views. Cadboro-Gyro Park has a playground, zip-line, and picnic areas. Another hightlight for kids is a visit to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can visit the BC Aviation Museum.

Vernon is a family-friendly town. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Vernon or Victoria Better for Couples?

Victoria is a well-known place for couples. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Victoria is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city offers many great activities for couples such as a visit to Hatley Park and Castle. The city is also famous for its many flower gardens which are best visited in spring. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring are also favorite activities for couples.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

Is Vernon or Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Victoria is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Vernon is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Victoria. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

Vernon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel in town, but this isn't a popular destination for backpackers.

Is Vernon or Victoria Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Vernon and Victoria offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Public transit is mostly limited in Victoria. While there are buses, it's best not to count on them because they're not particularly reliable.

Is Vernon or Victoria a more walkable city?

Victoria is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town for its walkability.

Victoria is a very walkable destination. Many of the sights are close by and easy to walk to.

Vernon is generally not a very walkable town. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

For even more information, also check out Is Vernon Worth Visiting? and Is Victoria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Victoria or Vernon?

How long in Vernon or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either Vernon or Victoria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Victoria due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Vernon, and 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

Families should spend more time in Victoria than Vernon. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Victoria, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Victoria than Vernon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Victoria that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Victoria than Vernon if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Victoria.

One day in Vernon or Victoria?

The town of Vernon offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Victoria. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Vernon or Victoria?

Vernon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Vernon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Victoria is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Vernon or Victoria?

Vernon is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Victoria. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Vernon or Victoria?

Vernon is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Victoria. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, The Best Eco Tours in Canada, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vernon and Victoria, we can see that Victoria 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 Victoria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Victoria 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 Vernon Expensive? and Is Victoria Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Vernon or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of Vernon 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 Vernon or Victoria?

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 Vernon or Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria and Vernon during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Vernon for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Victoria in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Vernon is a little warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Vernon averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Vernon usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Vernon gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vernon or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vernon and Victoria. Many visitors come to Vernon in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Victoria for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Vernon is around the same temperature as Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vernon in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In October, Vernon usually receives less rain than Victoria. Vernon gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Vernon or Victoria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Vernon as well as Victoria. Most visitors come to Vernon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Victoria because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Victoria can be very cold. Vernon can be very cold during winter. In January, Vernon is generally much colder than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Vernon average around -3°C (27°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

It's quite rainy in Victoria. Vernon usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Vernon gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vernon or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and Vernon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Vernon is a little warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Vernon averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Vernon usually receives less rain than Victoria. Vernon gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Victoria and Vernon