A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Victoria vs. Halifax for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Victoria or Halifax?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Victoria and Halifax. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Victoria or Halifax?

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.

Halifax

The quaint and charming coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia has an interesting personality. While it caters to travelers from all over the world, it maintains the pace and lifestyle of a small town.

Steeped in maritime history, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and one of the world's greatest natural harbors. This busy seaport serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.

When planning your trip keep in mind that this city has a climate like other coastal cities. Summers are nice with the occasional humidity. Winters are mild, but still full of snow and wind. The best time of year to visit is most certainly the fall.

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


Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Victoria?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Victoria is $184, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $115. 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 Victoria and Halifax in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Victoria $114
    Halifax $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Victoria $228
    Halifax $132
Compare Hotels in Victoria and Halifax

Looking for a hotel in Victoria or Halifax? 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 Victoria


Hotels in Halifax


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: Victoria Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Victoria $37
    Halifax $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria

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

  • Floatplane Transfer between Victoria and Whistler: $219
  • Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $72
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Cruise Terminal Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $89
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $88
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $74
  • Vancouver: Floatplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria: $207

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax

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

  • Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36
  • Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $212
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $135
  • Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
  • From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Victoria or Halifax?

Prices for flights to both Halifax and Victoria 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
    Victoria $27
    Halifax $31

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: $40
  • Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $59
  • Victoria Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $60
  • Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $61
  • Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $132

Typical Food Prices in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Bluenose II Restaurant
    $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $161

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Victoria $46
    Halifax $28

Tours and Activities in Victoria

For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2.5-Hour Tips-Based Walking Tour of Victoria : $5.57
  • 3-Hour Bike Tour of Victoria City & the Coastal Shoreside: $79
  • 4 Hour Afternoon Whale Watching Tour: $170
  • 45-Minute By The Park Tour: $151
  • 60-Minute Beacon Hill Park Tour: $193
  • 75-Minute The Royal Tour: $227
  • 90-Minute The Capital Tour: $261
  • Beacon Hill Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Victoria: $208
  • Bike 3-hour City Highlights Tour & coastal ride: $95
  • COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix: $99
  • Castles, Hoods & Legends - Bike Tour: $52
  • Cultural & Historical Victoria Walking Tour: $16

Tours and Activities in Halifax

For Halifax, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Exlore Halifax with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
  • From Small Group Lunenberg Express Tour: $91
  • Halifax Boardwalk and Seaport: Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.13
  • Halifax self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
  • Churches, Gardens, & Graveyards Smartphone Tour: $5.13
  • City Segway Tour: $68
  • Discover the Halifax Explosion Audio Walking Tour: $5.13
  • Full Day City Sightseeing Tour: $1,682
  • Guided Harbourfront Food Walking Tour: $120
  • Small Group Tour with Peggy's Cove Sunset Express: $65
  • Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & Museum: $102
  • Small-Group Tour with Citadel and Peggy's Cove: $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Victoria $16
    Halifax $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:

  • Pickle Pub Crawl: $48
  • 3-Hour Street Art & Craft Beer Tour of Victoria, Brewery Tour & Tasting included: $103
  • From Private Cowichan Wine Tour with Lunch: $440

Sample the Local Flavors in Halifax

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Halifax:

  • The Classic Vintage Car Wine Tour: $211


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Victoria and Halifax, we can see that Victoria is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Halifax.

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


Which is Bigger, Victoria or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Victoria. When comparing the sizes of Victoria and Halifax, 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 Victoria or Halifax?

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 Victoria or Halifax in the Summer?

Both Halifax and Victoria are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In the summer, Victoria is cooler than Halifax. Typically, the summer temperatures in Victoria in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Halifax averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In July, Victoria usually receives less rain than Halifax. Victoria gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Victoria 16°C (60°F) 
    Halifax 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Victoria or Halifax in the Autumn?

Both Halifax and Victoria during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In October, Victoria is generally a little warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Victoria average around 11°C (52°F), and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Victoria usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. Victoria gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Victoria 11°C (52°F) 
    Halifax 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Victoria or Halifax in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Victoria and Halifax.

It's quite cold in Halifax in the winter. The weather in Victoria can be very cold. Victoria is much warmer than Halifax in the winter. The daily temperature in Victoria averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the winter. Victoria gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Victoria usually receives around the same amount of rain as Halifax. Victoria gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Victoria 5°C (41°F) 
    Halifax -4°C (24°F)

Should I visit Victoria or Halifax in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Victoria as well as Halifax.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Halifax. In the spring, Victoria is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the spring temperatures in Victoria in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Halifax averages at about 4°C (39°F).

It's quite rainy in Halifax. Victoria usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. Victoria gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Victoria 10°C (49°F) 
    Halifax 4°C (39°F)

Typical Weather for Halifax and Victoria

Victoria Halifax
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) -4°C (24°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Feb 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) -5°C (24°F) 108 mm (4.2 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in) -1°C (31°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 4°C (39°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Jul 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in) 18°C (65°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Sep 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 15°C (58°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 10°C (49°F) 121 mm (4.7 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 5°C (40°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in) -1°C (29°F) 152 mm (6 in)