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

Should you visit Juneau or Victoria?

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

Should I visit Juneau or Victoria? 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.

Juneau

Juneau is a historic, scenic, and breathtaking city. Juneau is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Juneau travel costs.

Victoria

Victoria is a relaxing, cultural, and scenic city. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Victoria travel costs.

Juneau and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Juneau or Victoria?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Juneau. Although Juneau and Victoria are both popular with visitors, Juneau has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Juneau is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Victoria is known for its nightlife. Juneau is popular for its wildlife, natural beauty, and Gold Rush in 1880. It is also home to the Mendenhall Glacier. Victoria is popular for its colonial buildings and public parks.

How is Juneau different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Juneau 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 Juneau. Many museums focus on the history in the area, including the Gold Rush and the mining industry. You can visit several historic mines as well as the Last Chance Mining Museum. Other museums around town include the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, the Walter Soboleff Building, and the Alaska State Museum.

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 Juneau or Victoria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Juneau is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Juneau has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The seafood is superb and visitors will regret if they miss out on the salmon, halibut, and crab. There are many local restaurants and local chefs serving up the freshest caught fish. For the best seafood, head to the waterfront, and if you're looking for something other than seafood, the downtown is where you'll want to be.

Victoria offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

Is Juneau or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

Victoria is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Juneau is not a good city for its evening party scene.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Juneau. There are a couple of bars and breweries, but most people relax in the evening.

Is Juneau or Victoria Better for Hiking?

Juneau is an amazing city to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Juneau is well-known for its hiking and trekking. You'll find more than 250 miles of hiking trails in the area, and this really is the best way to experience Alaska. The area is known for its wildlife, but there are also glacier hikes, meadows, mountains, and more. In downtown Juneau there's the Perseverance Trail, the Granite Creek Trail, and the Mount Roberts Trail. From the Mendenhall Visitor Center there's the East Glacier Loop Trail, the West Glacier Trail, and the Nugget Falls Trail. There are also trails on Douglas Island and many options just outside of town.

Victoria is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Juneau or Victoria?

Juneau is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Juneau. There's a mix of contemporary art and traditional artisan crafts. You'll find gift shops and art galleries around, particularly downtown and in the Mendenhall Valley business district. Visitors often enjoy buying art, wood carvings, jewelry, pottery, quilts, or dolls.

Victoria is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

Is Juneau or Victoria More Beautiful?

Juneau is an amazing city to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Victoria is not a destination known for its beauty.

Juneau is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The landscape is filled with glaciers, mountains, and fjords, making it a dramatic and beautiful destination.

Victoria is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Juneau or Victoria Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Juneau or Victoria.

Juneau is a very kid-friendly city. Its is filled with adventure that the whole family will enjoy. There's whale watching, dog sled tours, helicopter rides, hiking, and the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway. This bucket-list destination will have an impact on kids and adults alike.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Victoria. 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.

Is Juneau or Victoria Better for Couples?

Juneau is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Juneau is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples who enjoy exploring and adventuring will be in awe of this destination. Glacier trekking, superb gardens, and romantic helicopter rides will leave you feeling like a contestant on "The Bachelor". There are also opportunities for romantic evenings out and cozy hotels where you can stay in.

Couples visit Victoria frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Juneau or Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Juneau is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Juneau. It's a popular destination with budget hotels and even a hostel or two.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Victoria. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

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

Both Juneau and Victoria offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Juneau. You can only reach Juneau by boat or plane and there are three bus routes through town.

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 Juneau or Victoria a more walkable city?

Juneau and Victoria both are superb when exploring on foot.

Juneau is a very walkable city. The downtown is very walkable and many places can be reached within a reasonable walk.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Victoria or Juneau?

How long in Juneau or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either Juneau or Victoria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Victoria due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Juneau, and 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

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

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

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

One day in Juneau or Victoria?

The beautiful city of Juneau offers food and shopping. 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.

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 Juneau or Victoria?

Juneau 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Juneau, 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 Juneau or Victoria?

Juneau is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 Juneau or Victoria?

Juneau is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Juneau 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 Juneau Expensive? and Is Victoria Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Juneau or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Juneau. When comparing the sizes of Juneau 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 Juneau 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 Juneau or Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria and Juneau during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Juneau for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Victoria because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Juneau is cooler than Victoria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Juneau in July average around 56°F (13°C), and Victoria averages at about 16°C (60°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Juneau. Juneau usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Juneau gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Juneau or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Juneau and Victoria. The autumn months attract visitors to Juneau because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.

In October, Juneau is generally much colder than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Juneau average around 42°F (6°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Juneau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Juneau usually receives more rain than Victoria. Juneau gets 7.8 inches (199 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Juneau or Victoria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Juneau as well as Victoria. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Juneau this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Victoria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Victoria. It's quite cold in Juneau in the winter. Juneau is much colder than Victoria in the winter. The daily temperature in Juneau averages around 24°F (-4°C) in January, and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

It's quite rainy in Victoria. Juneau receives a lot of rain in the winter. Juneau usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Juneau gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Juneau or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and Juneau are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Juneau for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Juneau. In the spring, Juneau is much colder than Victoria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Juneau in April average around 40°F (4°C), and Victoria averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In April, Juneau usually receives more rain than Victoria. Juneau gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Victoria and Juneau