Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Washington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Washington or Victoria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Washington and Victoria can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Washington or Victoria?
Washington
Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWashington $198Victoria $182
The average daily cost (per person) in Washington is $198, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $182. 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 Washington and Victoria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWashington $113Victoria $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWashington $226Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Washington and Victoria
Looking for a hotel in Washington or Victoria? 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: Washington Hotel Prices and Victoria Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Washington $47Victoria $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Washington
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
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Metro Day Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Washington, DC: Airport Transfer to/from DCA or IAD: $350
- Washington to Washington Airport (IAD) Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Washington to Newark Airport Departure Private Transfer: $187
- Washington to NY Kennedy Airport(JFK)- Departure Private Transfer: $199
- Washington to Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Washington to Baltimore Airport (BWI) Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA): Transfer to Washington: $173
- Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA) to Washington - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Washington DC: Private Transfer to Airports or Baltimore: $160
- Washington DC: DCA Private Transfer from/to Downtown: $110
- Washington DC: Bus transfer from/to Philadelphia: $5.74
- Washington Airport (DCA) to Washington RoundTrip Private Transfer: $116
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria
Also for Victoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Seaplane Transfer between Victoria and Whistler: $219
- Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria: $206
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $87
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Hotel Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
- Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $74
- Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Washington or Victoria?
Prices for flights to both Victoria and Washington 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 dayWashington $38Victoria $27
Typical Food Prices in Washington
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
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Water$2.00
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Snacks on Monuments Tour$6.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Washington
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- DC: Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the Spirit: $69
- Washington DC Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- DC: Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey: $74
- Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $85
- Washington D.C.: Georgetown Guided Secret Food Tour: $97
- Washington, DC: African American History Tour with Dinner: $108
- Washington,DC: Union Market Private Food Tour: $125
- Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129
- Washington DC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $140
- Washington DC Premier Dinner Cruise: $144
- Washington DC: Personalized & Private Food Tour with a Local: $151
- Private Traditional Filipino Cooking Class Near Washington DC : $154
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: $44
- Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $58
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $59
- Victoria Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $73
- Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $146
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Washington $24Victoria $45
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
- See DC In A Day: Guided Small Group Ultimate Day Tour : $99
- 2 For 1! DC Highlights & Arlington Cemetery Tour Bundle: $84
- 2 Hour Guided Bike Tour of Capitol Hill: $55
- 2-Hour African American Heritage Tour in Washington DC: $25
- 2-Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour : $75
- 2-Hour National Mall Walking Tour from Washington DC: $25
- 4 Hours Washington Tour with Boat Cruise: $169
- A Self-Guided Tour of Washington DC's Monumental Marvels: $25
- Admission & Guided Tour of Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria: $99
- African American History Private Tour w/ Museum Entry: $450
- African American History Tour with Museum Admission: $89
- African American History Tour with Museum of African American History Ticket: $90
Tours and Activities in Victoria
For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3-Hour Bike Tour of Victoria City & the Coastal Shoreside: $77
- 60-Minute Beacon Hill Park Tour: $204
- 75-Minute The Royal Tour: $245
- 90-Minute The Capital Tour: $286
- Beacon Hill Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Victoria: $204
- Bike 3-hour City Highlights Tour & coastal ride: $94
- Butchart & Beyond: The Grand Victoria Tour: $329
- COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix: $98
- Castles, Hoods & Legends - Bike Tour: $51
- Cultural & Historical Victoria Walking Tour: $16
- Downtown Victoria Food & City Tour: $59
- Evening Sip, Savor, Stroll Tour: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWashington $19Victoria $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Washington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
- Epic Washington DC Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of Washington, D.C.: $59
- Washington, D.C.: History Tour Pub Crawl: $59
- DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105
- From Washington DC: Seneca Creek Region Wine Tour with Lunch: $175
- Full-Day Private Virginia Wine Tour Experience from Washington : $242
- Private Washington DC Virginia Winery Wine Tasting Tour -Spirited: $255
Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:
- Guided Pub Crawl with Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $48
- 3-Hour Street Art & Craft Beer Tour of Victoria, Brewery Tour & Tasting included: $101
- Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $134
- Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $439
When comparing the travel costs between Washington and Victoria, we can see that Washington is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Washington Expensive? and Is Victoria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Washington or Victoria?
Washington has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Victoria. When comparing the sizes of Washington 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 Washington or Victoria?
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 Washington or Victoria in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Washington and Victoria. Many visitors come to Washington in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Washington is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Washington average around 79°F (26°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In July, Washington usually receives more rain than Victoria. Washington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyWashington 79°F (26°C)Victoria 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Washington or Victoria in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Washington as well as Victoria. Most visitors come to Washington for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Washington is a little warmer than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Washington averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Washington usually gets more rain in October than Victoria. Washington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberWashington 60°F (15°C)Victoria 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Washington or Victoria in the Winter?
Both Victoria and Washington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Washington because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Victoria in the winter. The weather in Washington can be very cold. In the winter, Washington is much colder than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Washington in January average around 35°F (1°C), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Victoria. In January, Washington usually receives less rain than Victoria. Washington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryWashington 35°F (1°C)Victoria 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Washington or Victoria in the Spring?
Both Victoria and Washington during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Washington this time of year.
In April, Washington is generally a little warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Washington average around 56°F (14°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Washington usually gets more rain in April than Victoria. Washington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilWashington 56°F (14°C)Victoria 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Victoria and Washington
| Washington | Victoria | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 5°C (41°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 14°C (58°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 16°C (61°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 11°C (52°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 8°C (46°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 5°C (42°F) | 153 mm (6 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.