A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Portland, Maine vs. Vancouver for Hiking, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Portland, Maine or Vancouver?

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

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Vancouver? 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.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a seaside, laid-back, and scenic coastal town. Portland, Maine is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a scenic, diverse, and friendly city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Vancouver attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Vancouver travel costs.

Portland, Maine and Vancouver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portland, Maine or Vancouver?

You'll generally find more things to do in Vancouver than Portland, Maine. Vancouver is bigger than Portland, Maine, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Vancouver is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Portland, Maine is more popular for its beaches. Vancouver is more touristy than Portland, Maine and is popular for its beautiful setting, sweeping views, and welcoming atmosphere. Also, Vancouver is famous for Stanley Park. Portland, Maine is well known for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks.

How is Portland, Maine different from Vancouver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Portland, Maine or Vancouver?

Vancouver is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Vancouver on the map. There are tons of museums and sights around town such as the Vancouver Aquarium, the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Vancouver, and Science World. Also make sure you take a walk over the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Portland, Maine or Vancouver? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Vancouver is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Vancouver is an experience not to be missed. You'll find diverse restaurants and fresh ingredients. Local seafood is a staple in many restaurants so make sure you try the prawns, salmon, and even sea urchin. Asian food is also excellent around town. Sushi, Japanese hot dogs, and dim sum are all worth sampling.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Portland, Maine. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

Is Portland, Maine or Vancouver Better for Nightlife?

Vancouver is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Vancouver is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a vibrant nightlife scene. Most of the activity is centered around The Granville Entertainment District in the downtown area. It runs along Granville Street between Robson Street and Davie Street. In the area you'll find a high concentration of bars and nightclubs.

If you're looking for night time activities Portland, Maine has a few options to choose from. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Is Portland, Maine or Vancouver Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is great for its beaches. However, Vancouver is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Portland, Maine for it's beautiful beaches. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Vancouver is not a beach destination.

Is Portland, Maine or Vancouver Better for Hiking?

Vancouver is an amazing city to visit for its hiking experiences. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

People visit Vancouver specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city is surrounded by water and mountains, making it one of the best hiking cities in the world. You don't have to go far to enjoy spectacular vistas, serene rainforests, and rugged coastline. The trails range from casual strolls to more strenuous day long hikes.

Many people include a hike when visiting Portland, Maine. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Portland, Maine or Vancouver?

Vancouver is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Vancouver is a world class destination for shoppers. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. You can enjoy strolling through Chinatown, hitting up a public market, or wandering around a large shopping mall.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Portland, Maine. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Portland, Maine or Vancouver More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of superb scenery and beauty in both Portland, Maine and Vancouver.

With stunning beauty, Portland, Maine attracts visitors from all around. Set against the water's edge, the town offers many beautiful scenes and picturesque settings.

Vancouver is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It sits between the Pacific Ocean and high reaching mountains, so the city offers spectacular views.

Is Portland, Maine or Vancouver Better for Families?

Vancouver is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Vancouver is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are great kid-friendly museums like the Science Museum, as well as outdoor markets, public parks, and easy access to the nearby nature. A visit to Grouse Mountain is a must for many families. You can see the bears, take a gondola, and see the a lumberjack show.

Portland, Maine offers lots of family activities. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Is Portland, Maine or Vancouver Better for Couples?

Vancouver is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Vancouver makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Most of the activities take advantage of the beautiful outdoor setting. You can take a carriage ride in Stanley Park or visit the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden. Eat dim sum in Chinatown and then wander through the diverse neighborhood. End the day with a show at Orpheum Theater.

Portland, Maine is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Is Portland, Maine or Vancouver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vancouver is well known for backpackers. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Vancouver is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a favorite city for backpackers who enjoy the many outdoor activities. There are also many hostels available around town.

Portland, Maine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It isn't so much a backpacker destination, but there are some budget accommodation options around town.

Is Portland, Maine or Vancouver Better for Students?

Vancouver is well known for students. However, Portland, Maine is not popular with students.

Vancouver is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The cities friendly personality and fun energy make it a great place to study.

Portland, Maine is not popular with students.

Is Portland, Maine or Vancouver Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Vancouver is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Vancouver is top-notch. Public transit is efficient and comfortable. The Translink system includes buses, the SeaBus ferry, and the SkyTrain light rail system.

Public transit is quite limited in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is Portland, Maine or Vancouver a more walkable city?

Vancouver is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for its walkability.

Getting around Vancouver on foot is easy. The downtown area is very compact and fun to explore on foot.

Portland, Maine is generally not a very walkable coastal town. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Portland, Maine Worth Visiting? and Is Vancouver Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vancouver or Portland, Maine?

How long in Portland, Maine or Vancouver?

In either Portland, Maine or Vancouver, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Vancouver than Portland, Maine because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Portland, Maine, and 3-5 days is enough time in Vancouver.

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

Couples should spend more time in Vancouver than Portland, Maine. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Vancouver that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Vancouver than Portland, Maine 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 Vancouver.

One day in Portland, Maine or Vancouver?

You'll find food and shopping around the coastal town of Portland, Maine. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Vancouver is a big city with plenty to do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Portland, Maine or Vancouver?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the laid-back destination of Portland, Maine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Vancouver is a big city with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Portland, Maine or Vancouver?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the picturesque coastal town of Portland, Maine. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Vancouver is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Portland, Maine or Vancouver?

Portland, Maine is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Vancouver. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Portland, Maine or Vancouver?

Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Portland, Maine. When comparing the sizes of Portland, Maine and Vancouver, 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 Portland, Maine or Vancouver?

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 Portland, Maine or Vancouver in the Summer?

Both Vancouver and Portland, Maine during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Vancouver because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Portland, Maine is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Portland, Maine in July average around 69°F (20°C), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In Vancouver, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Portland, Maine. In the summer, Portland, Maine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Portland, Maine gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Portland, Maine gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Vancouver in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland, Maine and Vancouver. The autumn months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vancouver this time of year.

In October, Portland, Maine is generally cooler than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Portland, Maine average around 49°F (9°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Portland, Maine usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Portland, Maine gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Portland, Maine usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Vancouver in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Portland, Maine as well as Vancouver. The Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Vancouver for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vancouver. It's quite cold in Portland, Maine in the winter. Portland, Maine is much colder than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Portland, Maine averages around 21°F (-6°C) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Portland, Maine often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Portland, Maine gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Portland, Maine usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Portland, Maine gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Vancouver in the Spring?

Both Vancouver and Portland, Maine are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Vancouver in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Portland, Maine is much colder than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Portland, Maine in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland, Maine. Portland, Maine usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Portland, Maine gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In April, Portland, Maine usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Portland, Maine