Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Williamsburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Williamsburg or Vancouver?
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 Williamsburg and Vancouver. 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: Williamsburg or Vancouver?
Williamsburg
In southeast Virginia, Williamsburg is a historic city that was the capital of Virginia during the 1700's. It's now a popular tourist destination in the state because it has managed to recreate its past in a theme park like setting. Perhaps the most famous attraction in the city is "Colonial Williamsburg," an outdoor museum that recreates an 18th century town with working tradesmen and functioning jobs. You can purchase a one day pass to the area for $36 and multiple day passes at a slight discount. Exhibits in the area include observing a court proceeding, seeing the Governor's Palace, and witnessing the impact of the American Revolution on the area.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWilliamsburg $112Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Williamsburg is $112, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $141. 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 Williamsburg and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWilliamsburg $66Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWilliamsburg $132Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Williamsburg and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Williamsburg or Vancouver? 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: Williamsburg Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Williamsburg $11Vancouver $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport$6.35
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
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15 min Taxi Ride$8.71
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SkyTrain DayPass$6.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Vancouver YVR or Cruise Port to Vancouver by SUV: $120
- Arrival Private Transfer: Vancouver Airport YVR to Vancouver in Luxury Car: $163
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $93
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $186
- Canada Place Cruise Port: Transfer to Vancouver hotels: $425
- Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury Car: $163
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury SUV: $133
- Maximize Your Cruise Adventure: Vancouver Tour & Transfer: $292
- Mount Washington to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Transfer: $93
- Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Williamsburg or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Williamsburg 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 dayWilliamsburg $31Vancouver $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Williamsburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Williamsburg.
- Taste of Williamsburg Food Tour by Junket: $79
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $84
Typical Food Prices in Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
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All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch$8.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $85
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
- Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
- VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138
- Authentic Asian Eats Walking Food Tour: $142
- 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner: $153
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
- Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161
- Bowen Island Dinner and Zodiac Boat Tour by Vancouver Water Adventures: $163
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Williamsburg $34Vancouver $36
Tours and Activities in Williamsburg
Here are a few actual costs in Williamsburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Stories and Walking Tour: $25
- 1 Hour Christmastide Walking Tour in Virginia Past and Present : $25
- 2-Hour Private Guided The best of Williamsburg Walking Tour: $175
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg Admission Ticket: $62
- Colonial Ghosts Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- Colonial Ghosts Ultimate Dead of Night Haunted Ghost Tour: $35
- Colonial History Tour in Williamsburg Virginia: $25
- Colonial Williamsburg & Yorktown Self-Guided Audio Tour Bundle: $25
- Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
- Colonial Christmas Walking Tour: $20
- Colonial Colonial History Guided Walking Tour: $25
- Colonial Self-Guided Walking Tour: $15
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Vancouver self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.28
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.74
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.82
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Fort Langley: a Film & Television Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.19
- Cycling the Seawall: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Along the Stanley Park Seawall: $5.46
- Historic Walking Tours of Vancouver with Then & Now Images!: $6.68
- Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.68
- Vancouver Downtown: Espionage Adventure Outdoor Escape Game: $6.94
- Self-Guided Smartphone Tour of Stanley Park: $7.30
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWilliamsburg -Vancouver $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Williamsburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Williamsburg:
- Colonial Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $35
- The Murder Tour and Pub Crawl: $48
Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl ROUTE B: $18
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl: $26
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $84
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
- Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $134
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $138
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $164
- Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
- Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167
- Full-Day Private Fraser Valley Wine Tour from Vancouver: $189
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Williamsburg and Vancouver, we can see that Vancouver is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg 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 Vancouver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vancouver than you might in Williamsburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Williamsburg Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Williamsburg or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Williamsburg and Vancouver, 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 Williamsburg or Vancouver?
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 Williamsburg or Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver and Williamsburg during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Williamsburg is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Williamsburg in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).
In Vancouver, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. In the summer, Williamsburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Williamsburg gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyWilliamsburg 78°F (26°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Williamsburg or Vancouver in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Vancouver. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.
In October, Williamsburg is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 61°F (16°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Williamsburg usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Williamsburg gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Williamsburg usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberWilliamsburg 61°F (16°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Williamsburg or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Williamsburg as well as Vancouver. Many travelers come to Williamsburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Vancouver can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Williamsburg. Williamsburg is cooler than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 38°F (4°C) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Williamsburg often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Williamsburg gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Williamsburg usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryWilliamsburg 38°F (4°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Williamsburg or Vancouver in the Spring?
Both Vancouver and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Williamsburg in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Williamsburg is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Williamsburg in April average around 57°F (14°C), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Williamsburg gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In April, Williamsburg usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilWilliamsburg 57°F (14°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Williamsburg
| Williamsburg | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 38°F (4°C) | 3.6 inches (93 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 41°F (5°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 49°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 57°F (14°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (25°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 43°F (6°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 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.