A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Columbia vs. Vancouver for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Columbia or Vancouver?

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

Should I visit Columbia 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.

Columbia

Columbia is a suburban, friendly, and welcoming city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Columbia travel costs.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a friendly, outdoorsy, and scenic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of Vancouver is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Vancouver travel costs.

Columbia and Vancouver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Vancouver?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Vancouver than Columbia. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Vancouver is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for its beautiful setting, sweeping views, and welcoming atmosphere. It is also well known for Stanley Park. Columbia is famous for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Vancouver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Vancouver and Columbia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbia or Vancouver?

Vancouver is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Vancouver are among the most recognizable in the world. There are tons of museums and sights around town such as the Vancouver Aquarium, the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Vancouver, and Science World. Also make sure you take a walk over the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Columbia. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

Is the Food Better in Columbia or Vancouver? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Vancouver is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Vancouver. You'll find diverse restaurants and fresh ingredients. Local seafood is a staple in many restaurants so make sure you try the prawns, salmon, and even sea urchin. Asian food is also excellent around town. Sushi, Japanese hot dogs, and dim sum are all worth sampling.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Columbia or Vancouver Better for Nightlife?

Vancouver is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Vancouver offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a vibrant nightlife scene. Most of the activity is centered around The Granville Entertainment District in the downtown area. It runs along Granville Street between Robson Street and Davie Street. In the area you'll find a high concentration of bars and nightclubs.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

Is Columbia or Vancouver Better for Hiking?

Vancouver is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Columbia is not a hiking destination.

People visit Vancouver specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city is surrounded by water and mountains, making it one of the best hiking cities in the world. You don't have to go far to enjoy spectacular vistas, serene rainforests, and rugged coastline. The trails range from casual strolls to more strenuous day long hikes.

Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Vancouver?

Vancouver is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Vancouver make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. You can enjoy strolling through Chinatown, hitting up a public market, or wandering around a large shopping mall.

Columbia has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Is Columbia or Vancouver More Beautiful?

Vancouver is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Columbia is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Vancouver is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It sits between the Pacific Ocean and high reaching mountains, so the city offers spectacular views.

Columbia is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Columbia or Vancouver Better for Families?

Vancouver is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Vancouver is a very kid-friendly city. There are great kid-friendly museums like the Science Museum, as well as outdoor markets, public parks, and easy access to the nearby nature. A visit to Grouse Mountain is a must for many families. You can see the bears, take a gondola, and see the a lumberjack show.

Columbia is a family-friendly city. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Is Columbia or Vancouver Better for Couples?

Vancouver is renowned for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Vancouver makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Most of the activities take advantage of the beautiful outdoor setting. You can take a carriage ride in Stanley Park or visit the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden. Eat dim sum in Chinatown and then wander through the diverse neighborhood. End the day with a show at Orpheum Theater.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Columbia or Vancouver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vancouver is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Columbia is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Vancouver is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's a favorite city for backpackers who enjoy the many outdoor activities. There are also many hostels available around town.

Columbia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not an expensive place to visit, there is little in the area to attract backpackers.

Is Columbia or Vancouver Better for Students?

Vancouver is a well-known place for students. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Vancouver is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The cities friendly personality and fun energy make it a great place to study.

Plenty of students visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Is Columbia or Vancouver Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Vancouver is renowned for its public transit. However, Columbia is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Vancouver has a great public transit system. Public transit is efficient and comfortable. The Translink system includes buses, the SeaBus ferry, and the SkyTrain light rail system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Is Columbia or Vancouver a more walkable city?

Vancouver is renowned for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Vancouver on foot. The downtown area is very compact and fun to explore on foot.

Columbia is not a very walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbia Worth Visiting? and Is Vancouver Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vancouver or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Vancouver?

In either Columbia or Vancouver, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Vancouver than Columbia because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbia, and 3-5 days is enough time in Vancouver.

Families should spend more time in Vancouver than Columbia. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Vancouver, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Vancouver than Columbia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Vancouver that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Vancouver than Columbia if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Vancouver.

One day in Columbia or Vancouver?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Columbia. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Columbia has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vancouver is a big city with plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Columbia or Vancouver?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the suburban destination of Columbia. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Vancouver is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbia or Vancouver?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the welcoming city of Columbia. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Vancouver is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Vancouver, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Columbia or Vancouver?

Columbia is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Vancouver is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Vancouver, we can see that Vancouver is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Vancouver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vancouver than you might in Columbia.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Columbia Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Vancouver?

Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the sizes of Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia or Vancouver in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Vancouver. Most visitors come to Columbia for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Vancouver because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Columbia is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 82°F (28°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In the summer, Columbia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.

Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Vancouver in the Autumn?

Both Vancouver and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Columbia because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vancouver this time of year.

Columbia is much warmer than Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Columbia usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbia or Vancouver in the Winter?

Both Vancouver and Columbia during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbia this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Vancouver for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vancouver. In the winter, Columbia is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbia in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.

Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Columbia usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Vancouver in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Vancouver. Furthermore, many visitors come to Vancouver in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Columbia is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Columbia usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Columbia