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

Should you visit Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan and Victoria can help you decide which place is right for you.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a quaint, local, and scenic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, Ketchikan attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Ketchikan travel costs.

Victoria

Victoria is a scenic, relaxing, and cultural city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Victoria travel costs.

Ketchikan and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ketchikan or Victoria?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ketchikan than Victoria, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ketchikan is better known for its food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Victoria is more popular for its nightlife. Ketchikan is well known for its salmon fishing, beautiful natural environment, and strong sense of local culture. Also, Ketchikan is famous for the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. Victoria is well known for its colonial buildings and public parks.

How is Ketchikan different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Ketchikan and Victoria have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Ketchikan is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center.

Victoria offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Ketchikan or Victoria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ketchikan is an amazing town to visit for its restaurants. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Ketchikan, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.

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 Ketchikan or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

Victoria is very good for nightlife. However, Ketchikan is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

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 Ketchikan. Because most visitors arrive by cruise ship, there's a more local vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll find a few local bars around town where you can enjoy a drink and good conversation.

Is Ketchikan or Victoria Better for Hiking?

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

Ketchikan is well-known for its hiking and trekking. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.

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 Ketchikan or Victoria?

Both Ketchikan and Victoria are notable shopping destinations.

Ketchikan is a great destination for shopping. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Victoria. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

Is Ketchikan or Victoria More Beautiful?

Ketchikan is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Victoria is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Ketchikan attracts visitors from all around. It's located at the southernmost entrance to the Inside Passage, so you can expect dramatic natural beauty and a breathtaking setting.

Victoria is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ketchikan or Victoria Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Ketchikan or Victoria.

Ketchikan is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly activities and tours, but do note that many tours book up fully with cruise ship passengers. Any tours you wish to do should be arranged well in advance. Popular kid-friendly activities include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Misty Fjords, and a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Everyone will enjoy learning about the area's history and nature at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. And anyone who enjoys the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" will appreciate the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Victoria is very family-friendly. 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 Ketchikan or Victoria Better for Couples?

Both Ketchikan and Victoria are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Ketchikan is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy natural beauty, hiking, and wildlife will appreciate their time here. There are many opportunities for fishing and a plethora of seafood restaurants in the area that take advantage of this past time.

Victoria makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Ketchikan or Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ketchikan and Victoria are notable destinations for backpackers.

Ketchikan is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While most visitors arrive by cruise ship, for those travel independently will appreciate the hostel in town.

It's common for backpackers to visit Victoria. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

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

Both Ketchikan and Victoria offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Ketchikan. There are buses that travel 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 Ketchikan or Victoria a more walkable city?

Ketchikan and Victoria both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Ketchikan is very walkable. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Victoria or Ketchikan?

How long in Ketchikan or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan, and 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan.

One day in Ketchikan or Victoria?

The beautiful town of Ketchikan offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Victoria. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Ketchikan or Victoria?

Ketchikan is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town 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 Ketchikan, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Victoria. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Ketchikan or Victoria?

Ketchikan 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic city of Victoria. 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.

A week in Ketchikan or Victoria?

Ketchikan 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 town offers something for everyone.

Victoria 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Ketchikan or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan or Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria and Ketchikan during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ketchikan in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Victoria for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Ketchikan is generally around the same temperature as Victoria. Daily temperatures in Ketchikan average around 58°F (15°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. Ketchikan usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Ketchikan gets 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ketchikan or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ketchikan and Victoria. Most visitors come to Ketchikan for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Victoria because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Ketchikan is cooler than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ketchikan averages around 46°F (8°C) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ketchikan usually receives more rain than Victoria. Ketchikan gets 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ketchikan or Victoria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ketchikan as well as Victoria. The winter months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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 Ketchikan can be very cold. In the winter, Ketchikan is much colder than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ketchikan in January average around 34°F (1°C), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).

It's quite rainy in Victoria. Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ketchikan usually gets more rain in January than Victoria. Ketchikan gets 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ketchikan or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and Ketchikan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Ketchikan this time of year.

In April, Ketchikan is generally cooler than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Ketchikan average around 44°F (6°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. In April, Ketchikan usually receives more rain than Victoria. Ketchikan gets 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Victoria and Ketchikan