How much does it cost to travel to Whistler?
You should plan to spend around $127 (CA$172) per day on your vacation in Whistler. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $31 (CA$41) on meals
- $20 (CA$27) on local transportation
- $132 (CA$179) on hotels
A one week trip to Whistler for two people costs, on average, $1,781 (CA$2,408). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Whistler has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Whistler expensive to visit?
Prices in Whistler are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Whistler is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Vernon, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Key West.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Whistler Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Whistler?
The average Whistler trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Whistler travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
CA$179
($132)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
CA$27
($20)
|
|
Food 2
|
CA$41
($31)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
CA$108
($80)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
CA$6 -
18
($4 - 13)
|
Accommodation Budget in Whistler
The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Whistler can be very surprising. Some destinations have much higher price tags than others, and even within the same areas you can find a big difference between the budget-friendly and higher-end hotels. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Whistler is $66 (CA$89). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Whistler is $132 (CA$179). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Whistler? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Whistler include:
- Nita Lake Lodge starting at $291
- Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel Whistler starting at $237
- Sundial Boutique Hotel starting at $222
Transportation Budget in Whistler
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Whistler is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $20 (CA$27) per person, per day, on local transportation in Whistler.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$20
CA$27
A few of the typical transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Whistler to Vancouver Private Transfer for $180 details
- Private Transfer from Whistler hotels to Vancouver Airport (YVR) for $169 details
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Downtown Vancouver for $574 details
How much does it cost to go to Whistler? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Whistler will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Whistler
Calculated from travelers like you
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Whistler, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- Finer Things Dinner Tour in Whistler for $144 details
- Finer Things: 4-Course Dinner Tour in Whistler for $132 details
Typical prices for Food in Whistler are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Whistler, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Coffee at Starbucks
CA$16
-
Tim Hortons Breakfast
CA$16
-
Coffee at Timmy's
CA$5.00
Entertainment Budget in Whistler
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Whistler typically cost an average of $80 (CA$108) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$80
CA$108
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Whistler. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Guided Fishing Adventure in Whistler for $156 details
- Ice Fishing Adventure in Whistler for $156 details
- Whistler ATV Bushwhacker Tour for $133 details
Typical prices for Entertainment in Whistler are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Whistler, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Alcohol Budget in Whistler
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $8.89 (CA$12) on alcoholic beverages in Whistler per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$8.89
CA$12
Tasting tours and nightlife activities are very popular in Whistler. A few of the favorites from previous visitors include:
- Whistler Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience for $66 details
Whistler on a Budget
Whistler Village
Located in the province of British Columbia in Canada, Whistler is most famous as the largest ski area in North America. It is also only a short distance from the city of Vancouver, and offers countless opportunities for snow boarding and other winter sports. The town has a permanent population of almost 10,000 and there is a larger seasonal population of workers that come from all over the world. Whistler is a major travel destination with more than two million people visiting the town yearly. As such, there are countless amenities available to visitors. Hotels can vary dramatically in price and quality. There are some budget options, including a couple of hostels in the area, but most people do not visit Whistler as a budget travel destination. It's usually an expensive vacation, but few would argue that it isn't worth the cost.
Whistler's climate has cold and wet winters and dry and warm summers. There is a decent amount of yearly snow and winter temperatures hover around freezing during the day. You can expect snow to be on the ground between December and early April.
Sights
Whistler is more about winter sports and activities than it is about specific sights. In general, the area is very beautiful with breathtaking views throughout. The Whistler and Blackcomb Gondolas run year around (with closures for maintenance in October and early November) and offer great views. A visit to Brandywine Falls Provincial Park is also worth the effort. There is a 70 meter waterfall that is a short 15 minute walk from the parking lot.
Neighborhoods
While the town of Whistler is somewhat sprawling, as a tourist you're likely to spend most of your time in the quaint villages that have sprung up around the base of the ski lifts. You'll find most of the area's restaurants, hotels, and shopping in Whistler Village, the Upper Village, and Whistler Creekside (Old Alpha Lake). These villages are at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb. Village North, or Blackcomb Village, is located at the old base of Blackcomb. It is small, but still has a few amenities. At the old Olympic Village there is a newer town called Cheackamus. This is about 20 minutes from Whistler Village and is where you'll find the Whistler hostel. About 20 minutes north of the Whistler town limits is the town of Pemberton. This is a quiet community where many of the area's workers live.
Activities
A visit to Whistler is centered around outdoor activities and winter sports. Some favorites of the area include cross country skiing, snowboarding, and downhill skiing. Whistler Blackcomb is an excellent destination if you're interested in skiing or boarding. For backcountry skiing and cross country skiing head to Lost Lake.
If you're in the area during the summer months, then mountain biking is the thing to do. Whistler Mountain Bike Park has lifts that carry bikers and bikes up the mountain. Other summer time activities include golf, hiking, and tennis. For easy hiking trails head to Cougar Mountain. If you're looking for a longer hike, go to Brandywine Meadows where there's a six hour hike up steep terrain. For multi-day treks there are a handful of options including Helm Creek trail to Garibaldi Lake and the Black Tusk.
Food and Dining
You can find a range of restaurant types around Whistler Village. There's really anything from cheap fast food, which is probably the best option if you're on a budget, to high end, expensive restaurants that usually offer some great views. The on-hill options are also surprisingly reasonably priced. There's a slight mark up, but nothing more than you would expect at any other location. You can get a bowl of udon soup for ten dollars or a salmon steak for twelve dollars.
Many people spend the evenings relaxing in one of Whistler's many bars. It's a great way to rest and enjoy yourself after a long day of skiing. This is also a great way to meet fellow visitors and swap stories. There are many types of drinks available, but if you're a beer drinker, make sure you try the local micro-brewery beer which is always good.
Transportation
Most people choose to walk around Whistler. You'll find plenty of pedestrian walkways in Whistler Village and the Upper Village. There's also a short trail that connects these areas with Village North as well as a large network of trails that go between many of the area's parks, golf courses and beaches. If you're going anywhere further away, it is best to drive.
Related:
Looking for a
party hostel in Montreal or
Vancouver?
Traveling alone to
Toronto or
Montreal?
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.