A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Durham vs. Victoria for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Durham or Victoria?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Durham and Victoria can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a diverse, student-filled, and sports oriented city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Durham travel costs.

Victoria

Victoria is a cultural, scenic, and relaxing city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Victoria travel costs.

Durham and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Victoria?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Victoria than Durham. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Victoria is very popular for its hiking, while Durham attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Victoria is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its colonial buildings and public parks. It is also well known for Butchart Gardens. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durham or Victoria?

Durham is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Durham. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

Victoria is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several popular museums like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Also make sure you check out the Parliament Buildings.

Is the Food Better in Durham or Victoria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Durham and Victoria can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Durham area. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Victoria. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

Is Durham or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

Both Durham and Victoria are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Victoria. There are a good number of bars and pubs around town. Most offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a cold drink in a casual setting.

Is Durham or Victoria Better for Hiking?

Victoria is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Durham is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Victoria. There are many outdoor spaces and parks that offer local hiking trails. This is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the area.

Durham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Victoria?

Both Durham and Victoria are nice shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Durham to go shopping. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Victoria. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

Is Durham or Victoria Better for Families?

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

Victoria is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get the energy out. Walking trails are popular. You can also do the Malahat SkyWalk which offers impressive views. Cadboro-Gyro Park has a playground, zip-line, and picnic areas. Another hightlight for kids is a visit to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can visit the BC Aviation Museum.

Durham is a family-friendly city. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Is Durham or Victoria Better for Couples?

Victoria is a well-known place for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Victoria is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city offers many great activities for couples such as a visit to Hatley Park and Castle. The city is also famous for its many flower gardens which are best visited in spring. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring are also favorite activities for couples.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Is Durham or Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Victoria is very good for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Victoria is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

Is Durham or Victoria Better for Students?

Durham is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Victoria is not popular with students.

Many students visit Durham. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Victoria is not popular with students.

Is Durham or Victoria Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Durham and Victoria offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Public transit is mostly limited in Victoria. While there are buses, it's best not to count on them because they're not particularly reliable.

Is Durham or Victoria a more walkable city?

Victoria is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

Victoria is a very walkable destination. Many of the sights are close by and easy to walk to.

Durham is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Durham Worth Visiting? and Is Victoria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Victoria or Durham?

How long in Durham or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either Durham or Victoria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Victoria due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Durham, and 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Victoria than Durham 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 Victoria.

One day in Durham or Victoria?

The city of Durham offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Victoria. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Durham or Victoria?

Durham is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Durham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Victoria is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Durham or Victoria?

Durham is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Victoria. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Durham or Victoria?

Durham is a great place to explore. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Victoria. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Durham and Victoria, we can see that Victoria 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 Durham Expensive? and Is Victoria Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Durham or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Durham. When comparing the sizes of Durham and Victoria, 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 Durham or Victoria?

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 Durham or Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria and Durham during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Durham in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Victoria for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Durham is much warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Victoria. Most visitors come to Durham for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Victoria because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Durham is a little warmer than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durham in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In October, Durham usually receives more rain than Victoria. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Durham or Victoria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Durham as well as Victoria. The winter months attract visitors to Durham because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.

It's quite cold in Victoria in the winter. The weather in Durham can be very cold. In January, Durham is generally around the same temperature as Victoria. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

It's quite rainy in Victoria. Durham usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Durham is much warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Durham usually receives more rain than Victoria. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Victoria and Durham