A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phoenix vs. Kamloops for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Phoenix or Kamloops?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Phoenix and Kamloops can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Phoenix travel costs.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a laid-back, outdoorsy, and nature-filled city. It's also popular because of the skiing, nightlife, and food. See Kamloops travel costs.

Phoenix and Kamloops: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phoenix or Kamloops?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Kamloops than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Kamloops, Kamloops has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Kamloops is more popular for its skiing, while Phoenix is known for its museums and attractions. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather. Kamloops is popular for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses. It is also home to Sun Peaks Resort.

How is Phoenix different from Kamloops?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Phoenix or Kamloops Better for Skiing?

Kamloops is a great city for skiing. However, Phoenix is not a skiing destination.

Kamloops draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

Phoenix is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Phoenix or Kamloops?

Phoenix is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Phoenix offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

Is the Food Better in Phoenix or Kamloops? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Phoenix and Kamloops can be an enjoyable experience.

Phoenix is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Kamloops offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

Is Phoenix or Kamloops Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Phoenix and Kamloops.

If you're looking for night time activities Phoenix has a few options to choose from. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kamloops. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

Is Phoenix or Kamloops Better for Hiking?

Both Phoenix and Kamloops are destinations which offer good hiking.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Kamloops offers some nice hiking trails. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Is the Shopping Better in Phoenix or Kamloops?

If you're looking to go shopping, Phoenix and Kamloops both offer plenty of good spots.

Phoenix has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Kamloops is a great destination for shopping. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.

Is Phoenix or Kamloops Better for Families?

Kamloops is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Kamloops. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Phoenix or Kamloops Better for Couples?

Both Phoenix and Kamloops are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Phoenix is a good city for couples to visit. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Kamloops is a nice destination for couples. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Phoenix or Kamloops Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Phoenix and Kamloops both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Public transit is generally limited in Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

Is Phoenix or Kamloops a more walkable city?

Phoenix and Kamloops are decent when it comes to walkability.

Phoenix is generally not a very walkable city. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

Kamloops is generally not very walkable. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Phoenix Worth Visiting? and Is Kamloops Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamloops or Phoenix?

How long in Phoenix or Kamloops?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Phoenix or Kamloops to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Phoenix than Kamloops because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Phoenix, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamloops.

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

One day in Phoenix or Kamloops?

The city of Phoenix 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.

In Kamloops, you'll find skiing and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Phoenix or Kamloops?

Phoenix 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 Phoenix, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Kamloops, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kamloops has to offer.

Five days in Phoenix or Kamloops?

Phoenix 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.

Kamloops is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Phoenix or Kamloops?

Phoenix 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kamloops. Many people enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting Kamloops. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phoenix and Kamloops, we can see that Phoenix 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive? and Is Kamloops Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Phoenix or Kamloops?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kamloops. When comparing the sizes of Phoenix 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 Phoenix or Kamloops?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Phoenix or Kamloops in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phoenix and Kamloops. The summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kamloops this time of year.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Phoenix is generally much warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Phoenix average around 98°F (36°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Kamloops. Phoenix gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Phoenix or Kamloops in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Phoenix as well as Kamloops. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Kamloops for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Phoenix is much warmer than Kamloops in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phoenix averages around 79°F (26°C) in October, and Kamloops fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Phoenix usually gets more rain in October than Kamloops. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phoenix or Kamloops in the Winter?

Both Kamloops and Phoenix are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Kamloops in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kamloops can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Phoenix is much warmer than Kamloops. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phoenix in January average around 58°F (14°C), and Kamloops averages at about -3°C (27°F).

In January, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Kamloops. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Phoenix or Kamloops in the Spring?

Both Kamloops and Phoenix during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Phoenix is generally much warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Phoenix average around 74°F (23°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Phoenix usually gets less rain in April than Kamloops. Phoenix gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kamloops and Phoenix