A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Eugene vs. Kamloops for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Eugene or Kamloops?

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 Eugene and Kamloops. 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: Eugene or Kamloops?

Eugene

At the southern end of the Willamette Valley, Eugene is most recognized as the home of the University of Oregon. It's a smaller city with a liberal population that is generally concerned about environmental issues. A popular experience in Eugene is to go to the Saturday Market, which has been around since 1970 and is the oldest open air market in the United States.

Kamloops

In British Columbia, Canada, Kamloops is perhaps most famous for the large number of tournaments it hosts, everything from the Strauss Canada Cup of Curling, to the World Fly Fishing Championships. It also hosts Skate Canada, Tim Horton's Olympic Qualifying Bike Race, and the World Junior Hockey Championships among others. The city is in the south central part of the province and it sits near the confluence of the two branches of the Thompson River near Kamloops Lake. The city has a population of about 85,000 and it's the largest community in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

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 Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Eugene or Kamloops?

Eugene has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kamloops. When comparing the sizes of Eugene and Kamloops, 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 Eugene or Kamloops?

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 Eugene or Kamloops in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Eugene as well as Kamloops. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Kamloops because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Eugene is cooler than Kamloops in the summer. The daily temperature in Eugene averages around 68°F (20°C) in July, and Kamloops fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Eugene usually gets less rain in July than Kamloops. Eugene gets 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Eugene or Kamloops in the Autumn?

Both Kamloops and Eugene are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kamloops this time of year.

In the autumn, Eugene is a little warmer than Kamloops. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Eugene in October average around 55°F (13°C), and Kamloops averages at about 11°C (51°F).

It's quite rainy in Eugene. In October, Eugene usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Eugene gets 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Eugene or Kamloops in the Winter?

Both Kamloops and Eugene during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Kamloops for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kamloops. In January, Eugene is generally much warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Eugene average around 41°F (5°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Eugene. Eugene usually gets more rain in January than Kamloops. Eugene gets 7.1 inches (181 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Eugene or Kamloops in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Eugene and Kamloops.

Eugene is around the same temperature as Kamloops in the spring. The daily temperature in Eugene averages around 51°F (11°C) in April, and Kamloops fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In April, Eugene usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Eugene gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kamloops and Eugene