A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Winston-Salem vs. Vancouver for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Vancouver?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Vancouver? 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: Winston-Salem or Vancouver?

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a moderately sized city in Forsyth Country, North Carolina. The city has a population of about 360,000 and is located in the central part of the state in the Piedmont Triad. Winston-Salem goes by several nicknames including the "Twin City", the "City of Arts and Innovation" and "Camel City", a reference to the city's history in the tobacco industry. Like several towns in central North Carolina, the city's economy was also once influenced by the furniture industry, although this sector continues to shrink.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Winston-Salem?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Winston-Salem is $150, 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 Winston-Salem and Vancouver in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Winston-Salem $91
    Vancouver $87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Winston-Salem $182
    Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Winston-Salem and Vancouver

Looking for a hotel in Winston-Salem 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.

Hotels in Winston-Salem


Hotels in Vancouver


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: Winston-Salem Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Winston-Salem $23
    Vancouver $12

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:


  • SkyTrain from Airport
    $6.35
  • Taxi from Airport to Downtown
    $21
  • 15 min Taxi Ride
    $8.71
  • SkyTrain DayPass
    $6.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver

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

  • Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
  • Vancouver Airport-Cypress/Grouse Mountain Private Transfer: $38
  • Vancouver Airport (YVR) to White Rock - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
  • White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
  • Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
  • Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Canada Place Port - Arrival Transfer: $55
  • City Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $61
  • Vancouver to Victoria: Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
  • Vancouver to Victoria, Coach Bus Transfer: $74
  • Private Transfer from Canada Place Cruise Terminal to any Hotel: $74
  • Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Whistler - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
  • Vancouver to Victoria - Vancouver Hotel Pickup - Coach Bus Transfer: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Winston-Salem or Vancouver?

Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Winston-Salem 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
    Winston-Salem $42
    Vancouver $31

Typical Food Prices in Vancouver

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:


  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Winston-Salem $20
    Vancouver $36

Tours and Activities in Winston-Salem

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Winston-Salem are as follows:

  • Carolina History & Haunts Winston-Salem Historical Ghost Tour: $26
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Winston-Salem by Wacky Walks: $10

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Winston-Salem $24
    Vancouver $16

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 comparing the travel costs between Winston-Salem and Vancouver, we can see that Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Vancouver?

Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Winston-Salem. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem or Vancouver in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Vancouver. Most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Winston-Salem is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Winston-Salem in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In the summer, Winston-Salem often gets less sunshine than Vancouver. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem receives a lot of rain in the summer. Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Winston-Salem 81°F (27°C) 
    Vancouver 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Vancouver in the Autumn?

Both Vancouver and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the shopping scene.

In October, Winston-Salem is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 62°F (17°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Winston-Salem usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Winston-Salem 62°F (17°C) 
    Vancouver 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Vancouver in the Winter?

Both Vancouver and Winston-Salem during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vancouver. It's quite cold in Winston-Salem in the winter. Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Winston-Salem often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.

Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Winston-Salem usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Winston-Salem 40°F (4°C) 
    Vancouver 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Vancouver in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Vancouver.

In the spring, Winston-Salem is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Winston-Salem in April average around 61°F (16°C), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. Winston-Salem usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Winston-Salem usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Winston-Salem 61°F (16°C) 
    Vancouver 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem Vancouver
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 4°C (40°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 6°C (42°F) 179 mm (7.1 in)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 7°C (45°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Apr 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 9°C (49°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 13°C (55°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 16°C (60°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 18°C (64°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 15°C (59°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 11°C (51°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 7°C (44°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 4°C (40°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)