Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Wisconsin Dells?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Wisconsin Dells or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Wisconsin Dells 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: Wisconsin Dells or Vancouver?
Wisconsin Dells
Located in central Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells offers natural beauty, fun rivers, and some of the area's most famous theme parks. Wisconsin Dells is one of the two towns that make up "The Dells." The other town, Lake Delton, is another popular Midwestern tourist spot.
Wisconsin Dells is about an hour north of Madison and two hours from Milwaukee. It's famous for its striking rock formations and scenic bluffs. The town's name comes from the Dells of the Wisconsin River, which is an impressive gorge that was originally formed by a glacier.
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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) 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 dayWisconsin Dells $142Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Wisconsin Dells is $142, 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 Wisconsin Dells and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWisconsin Dells $70Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWisconsin Dells $140Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Wisconsin Dells and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Wisconsin Dells 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: Wisconsin Dells Hotel Prices and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wisconsin Dells $35Vancouver $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 Wisconsin Dells or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Wisconsin Dells 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 dayWisconsin Dells $43Vancouver $31
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.Wisconsin Dells $46Vancouver $36
Tours and Activities in Wisconsin Dells
Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City and History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $24
- Haunted Downtown Tour of Baraboo: $16
- Haunted History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $25
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 dayWisconsin Dells $9.14Vancouver $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 Wisconsin Dells and Vancouver, we can see that Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wisconsin Dells or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 750 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells or Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver and Wisconsin Dells during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Wisconsin Dells is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Wisconsin Dells average around 74°F (24°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Vancouver, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wisconsin Dells. In the summer, Wisconsin Dells often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Wisconsin Dells gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.
Wisconsin Dells usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Wisconsin Dells gets 3 inches (76 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 JulyWisconsin Dells 74°F (24°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Vancouver in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wisconsin Dells and Vancouver. The autumn months attract visitors to Wisconsin Dells because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Wisconsin Dells is around the same temperature as Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wisconsin Dells averages around 52°F (11°C) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Wisconsin Dells usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Wisconsin Dells gets 171 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, Wisconsin Dells usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Wisconsin Dells gets 1.9 inches (48 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 OctoberWisconsin Dells 52°F (11°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Wisconsin Dells as well as Vancouver. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wisconsin Dells this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Vancouver. It's quite cold in Wisconsin Dells in the winter. In the winter, Wisconsin Dells is much colder than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wisconsin Dells in January average around 19°F (-7°C), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Wisconsin Dells often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Wisconsin Dells gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Wisconsin Dells usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Wisconsin Dells gets 1 inches (25 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 JanuaryWisconsin Dells 19°F (-7°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Vancouver in the Spring?
Both Vancouver and Wisconsin Dells are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In April, Wisconsin Dells is generally around the same temperature as Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Wisconsin Dells average around 49°F (10°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wisconsin Dells. Wisconsin Dells usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Wisconsin Dells gets 208 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, Wisconsin Dells usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Wisconsin Dells gets 2.6 inches (65 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 AprilWisconsin Dells 49°F (10°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Wisconsin Dells
| Wisconsin Dells | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°F (-7°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 49°F (10°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 70°F (21°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 52°F (11°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 39°F (4°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.6 inches (41 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.