Comparison · Seattle vs Victoria · United States / Canada
Seattle vs Victoria
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jeffery Hayes, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Seattle for Pike Place Market, Space Needle and free sights; choose Victoria for Inner Harbour, Butchart Gardens and lower day-to-day costs. Victoria is generally less expensive, and the two are about 119 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 119 km
- Less expensive
- Victoria
- Best time for Seattle
- June–September
- Best time for Victoria
- May–September
Side by side
| Seattle | Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | Canada |
| Known for | Pike Place Market, Space Needle and Coffee culture | Inner Harbour, Butchart Gardens and Fairmont Empress afternoon tea |
| Best time to visit | June–September | May–September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $250–$420 | $190–$320 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 26°C (79°F) | July, 22°C (72°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 8°C (46°F) | January, 7°C (45°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 11 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | Alki Beach | Willows Beach |
| Airports | SEA, PAE | YYJ, YWH |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Seattle for…
Pike Place Market, Space Needle and free sights. Seattle stretches along hills between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with Mount Rainier visible to the southeast on clear days. Most first-time visitors stay downtown and walk to Pike Place Market, the rebuilt waterfront and Pioneer Square, then take the…
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Choose Victoria for…
Inner Harbour, Butchart Gardens and lower day-to-day costs. British Columbia's capital sits at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen-speaking Songhees and Esquimalt peoples, looking across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Olympic Mountains. Its compact Inner Harbour is…
Top sights compared
| # | Seattle | Victoria |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pike Place Market | BC Parliament Buildings |
| 2 | Space Needle | Fairmont Empress and afternoon tea |
| 3 | Chihuly Garden and Glass | Royal BC Museum and Thunderbird Park |
| 4 | Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) | Butchart Gardens |
| 5 | Waterfront and Pier 62 | Craigdarroch Castle |
Food compared
| Seattle | Victoria |
|---|---|
| Wild Pacific salmon | Afternoon tea |
| Dungeness crab | Fish and chips |
| Pacific Northwest oysters | BC spot prawns |
| Seattle-style hot dog | Dungeness crab |
Which is cheaper?
Victoria is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $190–$320 per person there, against $250–$420 in Seattle (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Victoria on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Seattle and Victoria are about 119 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Seattle and 3 in Victoria.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Seattle or Victoria cheaper?
Victoria is usually less expensive: about $190–$320 a day mid-range against $250–$420 (estimates).
+Is Seattle or Victoria better for a first trip?
Pick Seattle for Pike Place Market, Space Needle and free sights, or Victoria for Inner Harbour, Butchart Gardens and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is Seattle from Victoria?
About 119 km in a straight line.