A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Big Pine Key vs. Vancouver for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Vancouver?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Big Pine Key and Vancouver. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Big Pine Key or Vancouver?

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

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 Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 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 Big Pine Key?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Big Pine Key Prices
    USA Prices
    Vancouver Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Big Pine Key $174
    Vancouver $165

The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $174, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $165. 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 Big Pine Key and Vancouver in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Big Pine Key $64
    Vancouver $87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Big Pine Key $128
    Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Vancouver

Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key


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: Vancouver Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Big Pine Key $56
    Vancouver $15

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:

  • Yvr arrival private transfer to Vancouver hotels cruise ships : $156
  • White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $108
  • Whistler: Vancouver YVR Airport to Whistler Private Transfer: $118
  • YVR Airport Transfer to Squamish: $411
  • YVR Airport Transfer to Fraser Valley: $618
  • Transfer Downtown - Canada Place Cruise Terminal: $136
  • Private Transfer to Whistler with Sightseeing: $538
  • Private Transfer to Whistler: $462
  • Private Transfer to Ferry Terminal: $172
  • Private Transfer - Canada Place Cruise Terminal: $72
  • Private Airport Transfer to/from YVR Airport: $45
  • North Shore Mountains Snowshoeing with Transfer: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Vancouver?

Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Big Pine Key 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
    Big Pine Key $72
    Vancouver $54

Typical Food Prices in Vancouver

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


  • All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch
    $8.79

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver

For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Vancouver Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Mt Pleasant Food Tour from Vancouver: $82
  • A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $83
  • Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $96
  • Food Tours Gastown & Downtown with 6+ tastings: $98
  • Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $99
  • Vancouver Local Taste Trail Food Tour: $100
  • Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $115
  • Granville Island Market VIP Walking Food Tour : $115
  • Hidden Vancouver Tour with Dinner: $118
  • Private Granville Island Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $132
  • Vancouver Chinatown Tour and Dumpling-Making Cooking Class : $135

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Big Pine Key $42
    Vancouver $36

Tours and Activities in Vancouver

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.

  • 2 Hours Private Tour of City of Vancouver: $147
  • Cruise Ship Terminal to Vancouver Airport Private Transport: $150
  • Guided Bike /E-bike Tour in Whistler From Vancouver: $218
  • Half-day Hike and Bike Tour in Vancouver: $129
  • Spirit Of Vancouver Bike or Ebike Tour: $100
  • Vancouver 1-Day city tour: $98
  • Victoria 1-Day Tour From Vancouver: $190
  • Whistler Discovery and Waterfalls Small Group Tour: : $196
  • 1 day Whistler Tour from Vancouver Experience (chn&eng): $88
  • 2 Hours Private Tour of Stanley Park Vancouver: $132
  • 3 Days of Adventure in Vancouver – Activities-Only Tour: $1,650
  • 3 Hours Private Tour of City of Vancouver: $221

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Big Pine Key $9.29
    Vancouver $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:

  • Vancouver British Columbia Bar Crawl: $15
  • Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
  • Vancouver Craft Brewery Neighbourhood Walking Tour: $65
  • 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $86
  • Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour: $89
  • Vancouver Behind-the-Scenes Brewery Tour: $92
  • North Vancouver Elite Walking Brewery Tour: $95
  • Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $122
  • From Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Local Tastings: $129
  • From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $135
  • Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Tastings: $161
  • Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $169


When comparing the travel costs between Big Pine Key and Vancouver, we can see that Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Vancouver?

Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key or Vancouver?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Vancouver in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Vancouver. Also, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Vancouver this time of year.

In July, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vancouver this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during summer. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Vancouver. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Big Pine Key 84°F (29°C) 
    Vancouver 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Vancouver in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Vancouver. Also, many travelers come to Vancouver for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Big Pine Key is much warmer than Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the autumn, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Big Pine Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in October than Vancouver. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Big Pine Key 80°F (27°C) 
    Vancouver 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Vancouver in the Winter?

Both Vancouver and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Vancouver in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Vancouver can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during winter. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In January, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Big Pine Key 70°F (21°C) 
    Vancouver 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Vancouver in the Spring?

Both Vancouver and Big Pine Key during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Vancouver for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the spring, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun.

Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in April than Vancouver. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Big Pine Key 77°F (25°C) 
    Vancouver 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Big Pine Key

Big Pine Key Vancouver
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 4°C (40°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Feb 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm) 6°C (42°F) 179 mm (7.1 in)
Mar 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) 7°C (45°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Apr 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm) 9°C (49°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 13°C (55°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 16°C (60°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 18°C (64°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm) 15°C (59°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 11°C (51°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 7°C (44°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Dec 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm) 4°C (40°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)