Which place is cheaper, British Columbia or Alaska?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Alaska or British Columbia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Alaska or British Columbia? 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: Alaska or British Columbia?
Alaska
Alaska joined the United States of America as the 49th state. The US purchased the area from the Russian Empire in 1867 for just 7.2 million dollars (about two cents an acre). It became an organized territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It is separated from the rest of the country by Canada and, although it is the largest state, it is the least densely populated and for many years had the lowest population. It covers an area equal to California, Texas and Montana combined and lies on the Arctic Circle. Many people consider Alaska to be the United State's "final frontier" because of its vast wilderness. It is also where you will find the highest point in North America.
British Columbia
The westernmost province in Canada, British Columbia, is four times the size of Great Britain with less than one tenth of the population. This is due to the vast mountain ranges just ready to be tackled including the Rockies, Selkirks and the Coastal Range. With vibrant cities and ambitious outdoor activities, British Columbia is ready for any traveler.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.
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Alaska Prices
USA PricesBritish Columbia Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlaska $280British Columbia $178,409
The average daily cost (per person) in Alaska is $280, while the average daily cost in British Columbia is $178,409. 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 Alaska and British Columbia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlaska $135British Columbia $96,177
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlaska $270British Columbia $
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192
Compare Hotels in Alaska and British Columbia
Looking for a hotel in Alaska or British Columbia? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alaska $51British Columbia $13,297
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Anchorage to Seward- Pre-Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $227
- Anchorage to Whittier Direct Transfer Tour: $75
- Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport (ANC): $62
- Private Departure Transfer - to Anchorage Airport (ANC): $62
- Private Transfer Alaska Anchorage Airport ANC to Anchorage City: $180
- Private Transfer, Anchorage to Seward Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage : $299
- Private Transfer, Whittier Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
- Seward to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $79
- Seward to Anchorage Scenic Transfer Photo Tour: $295
- Seward to Anchorage transfer with National Park hike and AWCC: $249
Hired Cars and Shuttles in British Columbia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in British Columbia:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
- Group Transfer to/from Vancouver International Airport (YVR): $33
- Private Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $34
- Private Transfer from Vancouver Airport (YVR): $34
- Calgary Airport Transfer to/from Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise: $43
- Private Transfer from Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Vancouver hotels: $47
- Private Transfer from Vancouver Hotels to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $47
- Vancouver hotel/address to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Private Transfer from Vancouver Airport to Cruise Terminal (Port): $73
- Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $77
- Vancouver to Victoria - Vancouver Hotel Pickup - Coach Bus Transfer: $86
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver Arrival Private Transfer: $86
Is it cheaper to fly into Alaska or British Columbia?
Prices for flights to both British Columbia and Alaska 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 dayAlaska $94British Columbia $64,744
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- Aurora Viewing and Dinner : $120
- Alaskan Salmon Cooking Class & Dining Experience: $179
- City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour - Winter & Summer: $195
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $239
- Electric Moose Studios Aurora Adventure W/Portraits & Hot Pizza!!: $270
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in British Columbia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in British Columbia.
- A Slice of Victoria Pizza and Craft Beer Walking Tour: $70
- Vancouver Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $75
- Mt Pleasant Food Tour from Vancouver: $81
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $82
- Kelowna: #1 Rated Walking Food Tour with 7 Tastings and 4 Drinks: $84
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $88
- Vancouver Street Food Tour in Mount Pleasant Neighborhood: $92
- Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $98
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $114
- Granville Island Market VIP Walking Food Tour : $114
- Vancouver Chinatown Tour and Dumpling-Making Cooking Class : $135
- Downtown Vancouver Walking Food Tour: VIP Asian Eats: $143
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alaska $65British Columbia $11,394
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- Skagway Downtown Walking Private Tour Experience: $9.75
- Discover Seward: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Anchorage Trolley Tour: $25
- Alaska Native Heritage Center Admission Ticket: $30
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $36
- Seward Alaska Historical City Tour Adventure: $45
- Siberian Husky Kennel Tour in Fairbanks Alaska: $49
- Guided Walking Tour of Sitka | HISTORIC DOWNTOWN: $49
- Anchorage Trolley's Deluxe City Tour: $50
- Juneau City Tour: $52
- 1.5-Hour Beer and Puppies Guided Experience in Fairbanks: $58
- Anchorage City Tour, w/Choc Factory Samplings: $59
Tours and Activities in British Columbia
Here are a few actual costs in British Columbia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Gratuity-Based Vancouver City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour: $4.00
- Stanley Park Self Guided Walking Tour: $5.27
- Granville Island Lost LP Exploration Game and Tour: $6.59
- Explore The History of People of the Safe Harbour in Walking Tour of Ucluelet: $6.59
- Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.59
- Bloedel Conservatory Admission Ticket: $6.93
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.32
- Vancouver to Whistler Private Self Guided Audio Tour: $7.32
- Victoria Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.70
- Sea to Sky Highway: a Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $8.05
- Victoria Harbour: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.06
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Kamloops & Revelstoke: $8.07
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlaska $20British Columbia $4,353
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Haunted Pub Crawl : $75
- Walking Pub Crawl in Downtown Juneau: $115
- Distillery Tour and Signature Bottle Infusion Experience: $149
- Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour!: $159
- Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings: $179
Sample the Local Flavors in British Columbia
Also in British Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Vancouver British Columbia Bar Crawl: $15
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $26
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour: $88
- Private Wine Tour at Church and State Wines in Victoria BC Canada: $92
- North Vancouver Elite Walking Brewery Tour: $95
- Lake Country Scenic Wine Tour With Wine Tasting Experience: $103
- 4-Hour Okanagan Valley Wine Tasting. Wineries of East Kelowna Bench.: $107
- Half-Day West Kelowna Afternoon Wine tour: $110
- Kelowna Wine Tour by E-bike, Okanagan Valley Views and Lunch: $110
- Half-Day Victoria to Cowichan Valley Wine Tour with Tastings: $112
- East Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $117
- Lake Country Half Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $117
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alaska and British Columbia, we can see that British Columbia is more expensive. And not only is Alaska much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alaska would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alaska 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 British Columbia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in British Columbia than you might in Alaska.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alaska Expensive? and Is British Columbia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Alaska or British Columbia?
British Columbia has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of Alaska and British Columbia, 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.
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.