Home › Vancouver › On a budget
Vancouver on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Vancouver on a budget is challenging because of room prices, but the free outdoors helps a lot. A realistic minimum is about C$175 per person per day: bed C$90, food C$45, sights C$30 and transport C$10.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | C$90 | C$170 | C$380 |
| Food & drink | C$45 | C$90 | C$200 |
| Sights & tickets | C$30 | C$100 | C$220 |
| Local transport | C$10 | C$30 | C$80 |
| Per person, per day | C$175 | C$390 | C$880 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Vancouver day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walking or cycling the Stanley Park Seawall
- English Bay and Sunset Beach at sunset
- Lynn Canyon Park and its suspension bridge
- Granville Island Public Market (browsing)
- Gastown and the Steam Clock
- Kitsilano Beach and the False Creek seawall
Cheap eats
- Noodles or ramen on Denman Street: about C$15-20
- Sushi rolls from a West End shop: about C$10-18
- Food trucks downtown: about C$12-18
- Granville Island Market snacks and smoked salmon: from a few dollars
- Dim sum in Chinatown or Richmond: about C$25-35 per person
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in downtown hostels and Mount Pleasant, with doubles about C$150-230 and hostel dorm beds less, near SkyTrain or Main Street's cafés.
Getting around cheaply
Use SkyTrain, buses and the SeaBus with a contactless or Compass card (fares by zone). The Canada Line links the airport and downtown in about 25 minutes. Walk or use Mobi bike-share downtown.
A sample budget day
- Morning: walk the Stanley Park Seawall (free)
- Lunch: noodles on Denman Street (about C$18)
- Afternoon: Aquabus to Granville Island and the market (a few dollars)
- Evening: sunset at English Bay and a food truck dinner (about C$15)
- Total: about C$175 including a hostel bed
More ways to save
- Choose Lynn Canyon over Capilano for a free suspension bridge.
- Ride the SeaBus for harbour views at transit prices.
- Picnic on beaches with groceries from supermarkets.
- Take a bus to Whistler instead of a tour, or drive with others.
- Visit in May or late September for lower prices and decent weather.
- Remember to add tax and tip when budgeting meals.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
Can I visit Vancouver on a budget?
Yes, at about C$175 a day with hostels, cheap Asian food and free nature.
How do I get from the airport to downtown?
The Canada Line SkyTrain takes about 25 minutes.
What are the best free things to do in Vancouver?
The Stanley Park Seawall, English Bay, Lynn Canyon, Granville Island Market and Gastown.