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

Should you visit Phoenix or Victoria?

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 Victoria 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 laid back, sprawling, and desert city. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Phoenix travel costs.

Victoria

Victoria is a cultural, scenic, and relaxing city. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Victoria travel costs.

Phoenix and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phoenix or Victoria?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Victoria than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Victoria, Victoria has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Victoria is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its colonial buildings and public parks. It is also well known for Butchart Gardens. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Phoenix different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Victoria and Phoenix.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Phoenix. 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.

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 Phoenix or Victoria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Phoenix and Victoria 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.

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 Phoenix or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

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

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 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 Phoenix or Victoria Better for Hiking?

Both Phoenix and Victoria are destinations which offer nice 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.

Victoria offers some nice hiking trails. 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 Phoenix or Victoria?

If you're looking to go shopping, Phoenix and Victoria both offer plenty of nice 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.

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

Is Phoenix or Victoria Better for Families?

Victoria 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 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.

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 Victoria Better for Couples?

Victoria is a great city for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Victoria is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Phoenix or Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Victoria is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Victoria is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

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

Phoenix and Victoria both offer reasonable 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 Victoria. While there are buses, it's best not to count on them because they're not particularly reliable.

Is Phoenix or Victoria a more walkable city?

Victoria is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Victoria or Phoenix?

How long in Phoenix or Victoria?

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

Families should spend more time in Victoria than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix. 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix or Victoria?

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 Victoria, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Phoenix or Victoria?

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 Victoria, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Phoenix or Victoria?

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.

Victoria 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 Victoria?

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 Victoria. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Victoria. 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 Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phoenix and Victoria, we can see that Phoenix 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 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 Victoria.

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

Which is Bigger, Phoenix or Victoria?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Victoria. When comparing the sizes of Phoenix 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 Phoenix or Victoria?

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 Victoria in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phoenix and Victoria. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Victoria for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. Phoenix is much warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Phoenix averages around 98°F (36°C) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In July, Phoenix usually receives more rain than Victoria. Phoenix gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Phoenix or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Phoenix as well as Victoria. Many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Victoria in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Phoenix is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phoenix in October average around 79°F (26°C), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Phoenix usually gets less rain in October than Victoria. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phoenix or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and Phoenix are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Phoenix in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Victoria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Victoria can be very cold during winter. In January, Phoenix is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Phoenix average around 58°F (14°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Victoria. In January, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Victoria. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Phoenix or Victoria in the Spring?

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

Phoenix is much warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Phoenix averages around 74°F (23°C) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Phoenix usually gets less rain in April than Victoria. Phoenix gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Victoria and Phoenix