Which place is cheaper, Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Alaska or Nova Scotia? 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 Nova Scotia?
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.
Nova Scotia
As one of the original four provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia became part of Canada in 1867. With a population of over 900,000 people, 44% of them live in the capital city of Nova Scotia. This region is truly diverse with people of countless ethnic backgrounds calling Nova Scotia home, but the biggest influences come from the early Scottish settlers. It's undoubtedly there even if it's been mixed with the native Mi'kmaq culture and those of other immigrant groups.
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 3-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver.
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Alaska Prices
USA PricesNova Scotia Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlaska $280Nova Scotia $130
The average daily cost (per person) in Alaska is $280, while the average daily cost in Nova Scotia is $130. 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 Nova Scotia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlaska $135Nova Scotia $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlaska $270Nova Scotia $120
Compare Hotels in Alaska and Nova Scotia
Looking for a hotel in Alaska or Nova Scotia? 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 $51Nova Scotia $17
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 Transfer Alaska Anchorage Airport ANC to Anchorage City: $180
- Private Transfer, Anchorage to Seward 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
- Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $227
- Whittier to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Alaska or Nova Scotia?
Prices for flights to both Nova Scotia 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 $94Nova Scotia $52
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
- City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour - Winter & Summer: $195
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $239
- Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $270
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alaska $65Nova Scotia $28
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
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $36
- 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
- City Highlights Totem Parks and Sightseeing: $59
- Anchorage City Tour, w/Choc Factory Samplings: $59
- Anchorage's Winter City Tour = Samples + Stops + WildLife: $59
- Ghosts of Historic Sitka - Walking Tour: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlaska $20Nova Scotia $16
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
- 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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alaska and Nova Scotia, we can see that Alaska is more expensive. And not only is Nova Scotia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nova Scotia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nova Scotia 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 Alaska would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alaska than you might in Nova Scotia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alaska Expensive? and Is Nova Scotia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Alaska or Nova Scotia?
Nova Scotia has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of Alaska and Nova Scotia, 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.