A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Virginia Beach vs. Hope for Families, Couples, Nightlife, and Food

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Hope?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach or Hope, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled coastal city. Virginia Beach is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and beaches. See Virginia Beach travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a friendly, local, and small town. Visitors also love the hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Virginia Beach and Hope: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Virginia Beach or Hope?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hope. Although Virginia Beach and Hope are popular destinations, Hope has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hope is very popular for its museums and attractions, hiking, and shopping, while Virginia Beach attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Virginia Beach is famous for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe. Hope is famous for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo." It is also well known for Othello Tunnels.

How is Virginia Beach different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Virginia Beach or Hope?

Virginia Beach
Hope

Hope is adequate for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Hope specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in Virginia Beach or Hope? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Virginia Beach
Hope

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Virginia Beach and Hope.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Virginia Beach. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Hope may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Virginia Beach or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Virginia Beach
Hope

Virginia Beach is very good for nightlife. However, Hope is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Virginia Beach has a few options to choose from. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Most people don't head to Hope specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Virginia Beach or Hope Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach
Hope

Virginia Beach is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Hope is not a resort destination.

Virginia Beach has a handful of resorts to choose from. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Hope is not a resort destination.


Is Virginia Beach or Hope Better for Beaches?

Virginia Beach
Hope

Virginia Beach is very good for its beaches. However, Hope is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Virginia Beach to enjoy the beach. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Hope is not a beach destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Hope Better for Hiking?

Virginia Beach
Hope

Hope is great for hiking. However, Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Hope for the hiking trails. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Virginia Beach or Hope?

Virginia Beach
Hope

Hope is adequate for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Hope has some nice offerings. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Virginia Beach or Hope More Beautiful?

Virginia Beach
Hope

Virginia Beach is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Hope is not a destination known for its beauty.

Virginia Beach is a gorgeous place to visit. As a developed beach town, the city has its share of hotels along the beach, but it is still a beautiful setting to explore.

Hope is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Virginia Beach or Hope Better for Families?

Virginia Beach
Hope

Virginia Beach and Hope are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Virginia Beach is very family-friendly. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

Hope is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

Is Virginia Beach or Hope Better for Couples?

Virginia Beach
Hope

Hope is great for its romantic activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for couples.

Hope is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

Virginia Beach is a good coastal city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.


Is Virginia Beach or Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Virginia Beach
Hope

Hope is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Many backpackers visit Hope. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Hope Better for Students?

Virginia Beach
Hope

Virginia Beach is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Hope is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Virginia Beach. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

Hope is not popular with students.

Is Virginia Beach or Hope Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Virginia Beach
Hope

Neither Virginia Beach or Hope offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hope. There is no public transit in town.


Is Virginia Beach or Hope a more walkable city?

Virginia Beach
Hope

Virginia Beach and Hope are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Virginia Beach is generally not a very walkable coastal city. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

Hope is generally not very walkable. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.

For even more information, also check out Is Virginia Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Hope Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hope or Virginia Beach?

How long in Virginia Beach or Hope?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Virginia Beach and Hope. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Hope. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Virginia Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hope.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hope than Virginia Beach 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 Hope.


  • How many days in Virginia Beach or Hope? Ideal Length of Stay
    Virginia Beach 5-7 
    Hope 2-3

One day in Virginia Beach or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Virginia Beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Hope, you'll find . Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Virginia Beach or Hope?

Virginia Beach is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Hope is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.


Five days in Virginia Beach or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the relaxing destination of Virginia Beach. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hope. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Virginia Beach or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the fun-filled coastal city of Virginia Beach. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the town of Hope. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Hope or Virginia Beach?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Virginia Beach Prices
    USA Prices
    Hope Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Virginia Beach $148
    Hope $47

The average daily cost (per person) in Virginia Beach is $148, while the average daily cost in Hope is $47. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Virginia Beach and Hope in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Virginia Beach $71
    Hope $8.89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Virginia Beach $142
    Hope $18
Compare Hotels in Virginia Beach and Hope

Looking for a hotel in Virginia Beach or Hope? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Virginia Beach


Hotels in Hope


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Virginia Beach Hotel Prices and Hope Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Virginia Beach $39
    Hope -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Virginia Beach

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:


  • Beach Parking
    $10

Is it cheaper to fly into Virginia Beach or Hope?

Prices for flights to both Hope and Virginia Beach change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Virginia Beach $52
    Hope $38

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Virginia Beach $21
    Hope -

Tours and Activities in Virginia Beach

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.

  • Buried Beneath the Boardwalk: Neptune Ghouls and Ghost Tours: $32
  • Buried Beneath the Boardwalk: Neptune Ghouls and Ghost Tours: $24
  • Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $63
  • Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $68
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Dolphin Kayak Tour: This is a Workout!: $90
  • Wetland Zip Tour: $65
  • Ziplining and Climbing at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium: $64

Tours and Activities in Hope

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hope.

  • From Vancouver: 2-Day Kelowna Wine, Lake, and Farm Tour: $296
  • From Vancouver: 3-Day Tour to Manning Park, Nelson & Osoyoos: $379

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Virginia Beach $11
    Hope $10


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

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


Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Hope?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach and Hope, 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 Virginia Beach or Hope?

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 Virginia Beach or Hope in the Summer?

Both Hope and Virginia Beach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Hope because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Virginia Beach is generally a little warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 79°F (26°C), and Hope fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Virginia Beach. In July, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Hope. Virginia Beach gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Virginia Beach 79°F (26°C) 
    Hope 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Hope in the Autumn?

Both Hope and Virginia Beach during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Hope this time of year.

Virginia Beach is much warmer than Hope in the autumn. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Hope fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Virginia Beach usually gets less rain in October than Hope. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Virginia Beach 62°F (16°C) 
    Hope 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Hope in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Virginia Beach and Hope. The cuisine are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hope for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hope. It's quite cold in Virginia Beach in the winter. In the winter, Virginia Beach is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the winter temperatures in Virginia Beach in January average around 39°F (4°C), and Hope averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Virginia Beach usually receives less rain than Hope. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Virginia Beach 39°F (4°C) 
    Hope 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Hope in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Virginia Beach as well as Hope. Many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Virginia Beach is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Hope fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Virginia Beach usually gets less rain in April than Hope. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Virginia Beach 58°F (14°C) 
    Hope 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Hope and Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach Hope
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 39°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 3°C (37°F) 201 mm (7.9 in)
Feb 41°F (5°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 5°C (41°F) 164 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 49°F (10°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 7°C (44°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Apr 58°F (14°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 9°C (49°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
May 67°F (19°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 12°C (54°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 15°C (60°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.7 inches (145 mm) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5.9 inches (150 mm) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 15°C (59°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 10°C (51°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 6°C (43°F) 222 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 3°C (37°F) 217 mm (8.5 in)