Which place is cheaper, Ontario or Alaska?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.
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Alaska Prices
USA PricesOntario Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlaska $280Ontario $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Alaska is $280, while the average daily cost in Ontario is $230. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlaska $135Ontario $103
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlaska $270Ontario $206
Compare Hotels in Alaska and Ontario
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alaska $51Ontario $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
- Private Transfer, Anchorage to Seward Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- Seward to Anchorage Scenic Transfer Photo Tour: $295
- Seward Cruise Transfer with Wildlife & Scenic Tour to Anchorage: $249
- Private Transfer Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Whittier Cruise Port: $232
- Seward to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $227
- Whittier Cruise Transfer with Wildlife&Glacier tour to Anchorage: $199
- Whittier to Anchorage Transfer on Sprinter Van: $199
- Whittier to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $197
- Private Transfer Alaska Anchorage Airport ANC to Anchorage City: $180
- Portage Glacier Express with Van Transfer from Anchorage: $123
- Whittier to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ontario
Also for Ontario, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Toronto to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
- Private Transfer from Toronto City to Toronto Airport (YYZ): $42
- Private Transfer from Ottawa Airport (YOW) to Ottawa City: $55
- Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Richmond Hill Black Car Service: $59
- Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) to Ottawa City - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Mississauga City Black Car Service: $62
- One-Way Private Airport Transfer from Toronto to Pearson Airport: $65
- Private Transfer to and from YTZ Toronto Billy Bishop Airport: $72
- Private Transfer:- Toronto Pearson Airport or Markham City Ontario: $77
- Private Transfer:Toronto Pearson Airport or Burlington City Black Car Service: $90
- Private-Safe Transfer from Niagara Falls, Canada to Buffalo Intl, Airport (BUF): $90
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 dayAlaska $94Ontario $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre Experience: $95
- Aurora Viewing and Dinner: $120
- Anchorage Sightseeing and Food Tour - Available All Year Long!: $195
- Northern Lights Experience and Cabin Dinner: $200
- Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier Dinner Cruise from Seward: $228
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ontario
For Ontario, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Fun Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Trendy Venue in Toronto: $54
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $64
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Guided Food Tour with Ice Wine & Poutine: $64
- Downtown London Walking Food Tour: $64
- Toronto: Niagara Falls Night Tour, Boat, Journey, Dinner & Tower: $71
- Toronto: Authentic Food Tour with Local & International Flavors: $75
- Oh Canada Eh!? Ottawa Dinner Musical with Live Music and Comedy: $76
- Toronto's First Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market: $79
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Journey, Dinner & Fireworks: $79
- Great Canadian Food Tour- St. Lawrence Market + The Distillery: $86
- Toronto's International Food Tour - Kensington Market: $89
- European Evening Walking Food Tour in London, Ontario: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alaska $65Ontario $22
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- 1 Hour Snowmobile Tour in Fairbanks Alaska: $175
- 1-hr. Dog Sledding Tour in Fairbanks (without transportation): $175
- 14 passenger Whale Watching Tours in Icy Strait aka Hoonah AK: $293
- 2 Hour Alaska Rainforest Walk and Totem Park Small Group Tour: $95
- 2 Hour Chichagof Island Guided Driving Tour: $125
- 2 Hour Private Marine Wildlife Tour: $200
- 2.5 Hour Tour in Ketchikan on the Tongass Trolley: $85
- 2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour: $146
- 3 Hour Fishing Experience/Class in Juneau: $225
- 3 Hour Rainforest Walk & Totem Park Wild Wolf Tours: $125
- 3 Hour SHERP Tour: Denali Fat Truck Tours: $249
- 3 Hour Scenic Birding Cruise: $175
Tours and Activities in Ontario
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ontario.
- Discover Toronto: A Self-Guided Tour: $1.14
- Toronto Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.33
- Ottawa City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based: $5.00
- Toronto Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Bracebridge & Toronto: $6.49
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Collingwood and Toronto: $6.49
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Huntsville & Toronto: $6.49
- Ottawa Walking Tour 2h20 and 25 audio commentary: $6.88
- Ottawa Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
- Ottawa Mystery Quest: Self-Guided Detective Adventure: $7.34
- Ottawa Downtown Historic Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
- Toronto: Best of Toronto and Waterfront Self-Guided Tours: $8.17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlaska $20Ontario $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Distillery Tour in the Heart of Anchorage: $25
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $75
- Ketchikan Pub Crawl: $79
- Denali Husky Sled Dog Experience & Local Brewery Visit: $130
- Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour: $159
- Wilderness and Wine Tasting out of Anchorage: $239
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 Walking Tour: $20
- Summer Sips - Private Outdoor Wine Tasting Experience: $22
- Between the Lines Black Glass Wine Tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $22
- Guided Tasting Activity at Sake Brewery: $28
- Toronto Distillery District Self-Guided Walking Tour: $43
- Distillery District Breakfast Tour: $53
- Private Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $58
- Blindfold Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier Niagara: $64
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Transportation: $72
- Guided Bicycle Tour - Toronto Waterfront, Island and Distillery: $83
- Toronto Craft Brewery Tour: $90
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tasting Tour: $93
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alaska and Ontario, we can see that Alaska is more expensive. And not only is Ontario much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ontario would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ontario 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 Alaska would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alaska than you might in Ontario.
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.
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.