How much does it cost to travel to Vancouver?
You should plan to spend around $143 (CA$194) per day on your vacation in Vancouver. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $31 (CA$43) on meals
- $12 (CA$16) on local transportation
- $176 (CA$239) on hotels
A one week trip to Vancouver for two people costs, on average, $2,001 (CA$2,717). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Vancouver has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Vancouver expensive to visit?
Prices in Vancouver are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Vancouver is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Dallas or Austin.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Vancouver Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Vancouver?
The average Vancouver trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Vancouver travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation1(Double Occupancy) | CA$239($176) |
| Local Transportation1 | CA$16($12) |
| Food2 | CA$43($31) |
| Entertainment1 | CA$50($37) |
| Tips and Handouts1 | CA$4 -11($3 - 8) |
| Alcohol2 | CA$11 -32($8 - 24) |
Accommodation Budget in Vancouver
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Vancouver is $88 (CA$119). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Vancouver is $176 (CA$239). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Accommodation1Hotel or hostel for one person
$88
CA$119
Accommodation1Typical double-occupancy room
$176
CA$239
Hotel Prices in Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Vancouver? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Find the best hotel for your travel style.
Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Vancouver based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $160. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.
Recommended Properties
Transportation Budget in Vancouver
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The cost of a taxi ride in Vancouver is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $12 (CA$16) per person, per day, on local transportation in Vancouver.
Transportation1Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$12
CA$16
Recommended Services
Flights to Vancouver
How much does it cost to go to Vancouver? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
Rental Cars in Vancouver
The price of renting a car in Vancouver will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
What did other people spend on Transportation in Vancouver?
Typical prices for Transportation in Vancouver are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Vancouver, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
SkyTrain from Airport
CA$8.75
Taxi from Airport to Downtown
CA$29
15 min Taxi Ride
CA$12
SkyTrain DayPass
CA$9.00
Food Budget in Vancouver
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
While meal prices in Vancouver can vary, the average cost of food in Vancouver is $31 (CA$43) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Vancouver should cost around $13 (CA$17) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Vancouver is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
Food2Meals for one day
$31
CA$43
Recommended
What did other people spend on Food in Vancouver?
Typical prices for Food in Vancouver are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Vancouver, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch
CA$12
Entertainment Budget in Vancouver
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
Entertainment and activities in Vancouver typically cost an average of $37 (CA$50) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Entertainment1Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$37
CA$50
Recommended Activities
Tips and Handouts Budget in Vancouver
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Vancouver is $5.41 (CA$7.35) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Vancouver is 10% - 20%.
Tips and Handouts1For guides or service providers
$5.41
CA$7.35
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Vancouver
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Vancouver is $1.38 (CA$1.88), as reported by travelers.
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$1.38
CA$1.88
Alcohol Budget in Vancouver
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average person spends about $16 (CA$22) on alcoholic beverages in Vancouver per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcohol2Drinks for one day
$16
CA$22
Recommended
Water Budget in Vancouver
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
On average, people spend $3.46 (CA$4.70) on bottled water in Vancouver per day. The public water in Vancouver is considered safe to drink.
Water2Bottled water for one day
$3.46
CA$4.70
Vancouver on a Budget
Vancouver Skyline at Night
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.
Vancouver's climate is temperatue and oceanic. It is Canada's warmest city during the winter months and one of the coolest during the summer months. Summer highs are in the low to mid 70s Fahrenheit and winter lows hover around freezing. The summer season is dry while the winter season can be very damp. There are about 11 snow days a year, but snow does not linger long.
Sights
Vancouver is a city that's fun to explore. The city is quite beautiful and the neighborhoods are unique and diverse. If you're looking for specific sights and attractions, there are a good number of cultural or outdoor places that you can visit. Popular attractions around town include the Museum of Anthropology, the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Vancouver Public Library, the Contemporary Art Gallery, the Telus World of Science, the BC Sports Hall of Fame and the Vancouver Aquarium. Canada Place, the Marine Building, and the old luxury railway hotel of the Hotel Vancouver all have interesting architecture. Interesting parks and gardens include Stanley Park, VanDusen Botanical Garden, Queen Elizabeth Park, Nitobe Memorial Garden, and UBC Botanical Garden.
Neighborhoods
The city itself is divided into three main districts: downtown, the westside and east van. The downtown area is where you will likely spend most of your time as a tourist. It has most of the city's attractions, the most architecturally beautiful buildings, and restaurants and shopping that is world class. You'll also find neighborhoods here such as Chinatown, and Stanley Park.
Westside is another popular destination because of it's markets on Granville Island, the beaches around town, and the many museums and restaurants.
East Van is a predominantly residential district. You'll find a large number of ethnic restaurants along Commercial Drive. The area also has a very artsy and eclectic vibe with plenty of independent coffee shops.
Activities
Vancouver is a city where people love to be outdoors. There are any number of places where you can walk, run, or rollerblade. There are also a large number of cyclists in the city, and the design is very inviting for bicyclists. If you head outside of the city you'll find a number of places that are popular for skiing or snowboarding as well. And if you have a few days, check out this great two-day itinerary for Vancouver.
If you'd like to attend a sporting event your options include hockey, Canadian football, soccer, baseball, and even roller derby.
Famous festivals in the city include Chinese New Year, the Dragon Boat Festival, EAT! Vancouver, the Vancouver International Film Festival, Theatre Under the Stars, and Khatsalano Music and Arts Festival.
And if you're looking to get away from the city for a little while, plenty of destinations await. Grouse Mountain, Victoria, and Whistler are a few of the more popular places. For more ideas, see this list of day trips from Vancouver.
Food and Dining
Dining in Vancouver is an experience in and of itself. You'll find a range of restaurants that are wonderful and include many different ethnic options. If you're looking for a cheap bite to eat, at lunch you can enjoy "all you can eat" sushi places for around twelve dollars. Street food has also taken off in recent years. There are food carts and trucks around the downtown area that offer unique and affordable options. There's also no shortage of seafood throughout the city, but be warned that prices can vary dramatically. It is best to avoid the touristy areas where prices are much higher, while quality is dramatically lower.
There's a large number of restaurants in Kitsilano or the West End. High end restaurants are concentrated in the central business district along Robson Street. There are also some great options within the nicer hotels. For ethnic restaurants head to East Van. Dim sum is a popular option in Vancouver. The city has some of the best dim sum restaurants in the world and reservations are recommended.
Transportation
Vancouver has an excellent public transit system and this is really your best option for traveling around town. The system is run by a regional transportation authority and includes buses, rapid transit (SkyTrain), and a passenger ferry (SeaBus). The buses have the most comprehensive coverage and travel along most of the city's larger streets. The SkyTrain connects the city's downtown area with the southern and eastern suburbs. The Expo line goes through Burnaby and New Westminster to King George station in Surrey. The Millennium line splits from the Expo line at New Westminster and loops back through Burnaby into Vancouver before stopping at VCC/Clark. The Canada Line connects downtown with Richmond and Vancouver Airport.
The SeaBus is a passenger ferry that travels between Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver and Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. There are departures every 15 minutes during peak times.
Vancouver is also a great city for cyclists. There are popular bike routes around town that go along Stanley Park, False Creek, and Kitsilano. There are also routes that connect through most of the city and maps are provided by the City of Vancouver.
Related
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
