Should you visit Alaska or Ontario?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Alaska or Ontario? 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.
Where Should I go: Alaska or Ontario?
Alaska
Alaska joined the United States of America as the 49th state. The US purchased the area from the Russian Empire in 1867 for just 7.2 million dollars (about two cents an acre). It became an organized territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It is separated from the rest of the country by Canada and, although it is the largest state, it is the least densely populated and for many years had the lowest population. It covers an area equal to California, Texas and Montana combined and lies on the Arctic Circle. Many people consider Alaska to be the United State's "final frontier" because of its vast wilderness. It is also where you will find the highest point in North America.
Ontario
Chances are when you think of Canada, the things that come to mind are all located in the province of Ontario. Ontario has the highest population of any province in the country, and is the heart of Canadian tourism. As the home of Toronto, Niagara Falls and Lake Superior, this area is a major tourist destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.
Which place is cheaper, Ontario or Alaska?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Alaska is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Ontario is $0.00. 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 Alaska and Ontario in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Alaska or Ontario? 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.
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.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
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From Seward or Whittier: Guided Craft Tour and Ship Transfer:
$369
-
SUV-Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal:
$299
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SUV-Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage :
$299
-
Seward to Anchorage Land Transfer Tour :
$299
-
SUV-Private Transfer, Whittier Cruise ship to Anchorage:
$299
-
Private Transfer Whittier Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport ANC:
$232
-
Whittier to Anchorage Land Transfer Tour :
$220
-
Anchorage to Seward- Pre-Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer:
$197
-
Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer:
$197
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ontario
Also for Ontario, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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One Way: from/to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) - Private Transfer:
$38
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW:
$40
-
Private Departure Transfer-Toronto to Pearson Airport(YYZ) or YTZ:
$42
-
Private Transfer Toronto Pearson Airport To Toronto Hotels/Airbnb:
$43
-
Private transfer from Pearson Airport(YYZ) to Toronto City Center:
$50
-
Transfer in Private Vehicle from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) - Toronto City:
$50
-
Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by Business Car:
$59
-
Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Richmond Hill Black Car Service:
$62
-
One-Way Private Airport Transfer from Toronto to Pearson Airport:
$63
-
Private Airport Transfer Pearson Airport to or from Toronto:
$63
-
Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Mississauga City Black Car Service:
$65
-
Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by SUV or Minibus:
$66
Is it cheaper to fly into Alaska or Ontario?
Prices for flights to both Ontario and Alaska 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
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Food
Meals for one day
Alaska
-
Ontario
-
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
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City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour:
$190
-
Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza :
$300
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ontario
For Ontario, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Downtown London Walking Food Tour:
$67
-
Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical :
$73
-
Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour:
$75
-
Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours:
$75
-
Taste of the Continents: International Food Tour :
$83
-
European Evening Walking Food Tour in London, Ontario:
$94
-
Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Dinner & Illumination Tower:
$102
-
Walking Food Tour in Niagara Falls:
$110
-
Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour with Optional Boat & Dinner:
$113
-
Light up The Falls Small Group Tour with Fallsview Dinner:
$151
-
Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour With Boat Cruise & Dinner (optional):
$158
-
Niagara Falls Evening Lights Tour With Skylon Tower Dinner:
$196
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
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PREMIUM Sitka Scenic Tour:
$99
-
Private Mat-Su Valley, Hatcher Pass & Local Wildlife Tour:
$199
-
Spenard Neighborhood FOOD & TRUE CRIME Walking Tour:
$150
-
Whittier to Anchorage Full Day Transit Tour From the Port:
$199
-
“OVER THE TOP TOURS” city highlights, wildlife and more!:
$100
-
1 Day Shared Tour Arctic Circle and Aurora Viewing in Alaska:
$289
-
1 Hour Fall Sled Dog Experience in Two Rivers:
$130
-
1 Hour Snowmobile Adventure in Boreal Forest:
$159
-
11 am Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience from Anchorage:
$200
-
2 Hour Alaska Rainforest Walk and Totem Park Small Group Tour:
$85
-
2-Hour Guided Snowmobile Tour in Fairbanks:
$295
-
2-Hour Private Wildlife Tour in Sitka:
$200
Tours and Activities in Ontario
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ontario.
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Toronto Tips-Based Walking Tour | 3-Hour:
$4.00
-
Graffiti in Toronto Walking Tour:
$4.54
-
Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Collingwood and Toronto:
$5.28
-
Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Huntsville & Toronto:
$5.28
-
Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour:
$5.65
-
Rockcliffe Ottawa: Quest Experience:
$5.88
-
Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Bracebridge & Toronto:
$6.43
-
Explore Canada's Metropolis with Walking Tours Through Toronto:
$6.80
-
A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History:
$6.99
-
Niagara Peninsula: a Smartphone Audio Driving Tour:
$7.56
-
Toronto: Best of Toronto and Waterfront Self-Guided Tours:
$7.93
-
Downtown Ottawa: Private Investigator Quest Experience:
$8.48
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Haunted Pub Crawl :
$75
-
Hike Matanuska Glacier w/Alaska Local Honey, Wine Tasting :
$285
Sample the Local Flavors in Ontario
Also in Ontario, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Toronto Distillery District: Finest Whisky Quest Experience:
$5.88
-
Toronto Distillery District Walking Tour:
$18
-
Corktown and Distillery District Tour:
$27
-
30-Minute Distillery District Segway Tour in Toronto:
$37
-
Pub Crawl Toronto:
$39
-
Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation :
$64
-
Toronto Craft Brewery Tour:
$94
-
Small Group Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tasting Tour:
$98
-
3.5 Hours NOTL E-Bike Wine Tour:
$113
-
Toronto's Only Canadian Wine Tasting Experience:
$113
-
Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour:
$121
-
Brew Bus Private Brewery Tours groups :
$132
When comparing the travel costs between Alaska and Ontario, we can see that Alaska is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alaska Expensive? and Is Ontario Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Alaska or Ontario?
Ontario has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of Alaska and Ontario, 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.
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