Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Atlanta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Atlanta or Whistler?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Atlanta or Whistler, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Atlanta or Whistler?
Atlanta
Atlanta is a city rich in history but modern in its development and industry. It has a population of just under 500,000 with more than five million people living in the metropolitan area. It is also the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States The city is rich in culture and was at the center of the civil rights movement. It is the capital of the state of Georgia, and was home to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. It has the world's busiest airport and arguably some of the country's worst traffic, but the residents are recognized for their friendly and welcoming nature and the city is lush with green trees and wonderful parks.
Whistler
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAtlanta $173Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Atlanta is $173, while the average daily cost in Whistler is $125. 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 Atlanta and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAtlanta $90Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAtlanta $180Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Atlanta and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Atlanta or Whistler? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Atlanta Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Atlanta $44Whistler $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Atlanta:
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MARTA Subway Ticket$4.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atlanta
Also for Atlanta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hartsfield Jackson Airport (ATL) to Lithia Springs - Arrival Private Transfer: $33
- San Jose Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to San Jose Costa: $35
- Atlanta Airport (ATL) to Lithia Springs -Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Hartsfield Jackson Airport (ATL) to Lithia Springs - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $66
- Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from Atlanta Downtown to Atlanta Airport: $67
- Private Arrival Transfer from Atlanta Airport (ATL): $80
- Private Transfer from Atlanta (ATL) Airport to Atlanta City: $94
- Atlanta to Atlanta Airport (ATL) Departure Private Transfer: $97
- Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL) to Atlanta - Arrival Private Transfer: $97
- Private Transfer: H. J. Airport ATL to Atlanta in Business Car: $119
- Departure Transfer: Atlanta to Atlanta Airport ATL by Luxury SUV: $127
- Departure Transfer: Atlanta to Atlanta Airport ATL in Luxury SUV: $133
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whistler
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Whistler:
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Richmond BC: $633
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Downtown Vancouver: $570
- Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Whistler: $161
Is it cheaper to fly into Atlanta or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Atlanta 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 dayAtlanta $43Whistler $30
Typical Food Prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Atlanta:
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Fast Food Lunch (for 2)$15
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Lunch$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Atlanta
For Atlanta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 2 Hour Guided Wood Fired Pizza Class in Atlanta: $55
- City Lights Atlanta Night-Time Tour with Photos & Dinner Stop: $65
- City Lights Night Tour with Photos & Dinner Stop: $65
- 2 Hour Historic Market Food Tour and Hands-On Biscuit Class: $70
- Historic Market Food Tour and Biscuit Cooking Class: $70
- Ponce City Market 2.5-Hour Weekend Food Tour: $99
- Food Tour of Inman Park and the Atlanta Beltline: $99
Typical Food Prices in Whistler
Some typical examples of dining costs in Whistler are as follows:
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Coffee at Starbucks$12
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Tim Hortons Breakfast$12
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Coffee at Timmy's$3.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whistler
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Whistler.
- Finer Things: 4-Course Dinner Tour in Whistler: $131
- Finer Things Dinner Tour in Whistler: $144
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Atlanta $56Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in Atlanta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Atlanta.
- Civil Rights Self-Guided Audio App Walking Tour: $6.75
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $8.50
- Atlanta Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Olympic Park & Pemberton Place: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Civil Rights Movement in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Atlanta Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Atlanta Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
- SkyView Ferris Wheel Ticket: $16
- Atlanta Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $18
- World of Coca-Cola Skip-the-Ticket-Line Entry: $23
- Skip the Ticket Line: World of Coca-Cola Admission in Atlanta: $23
- LEGO® Discovery Center Admission Ticket: $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Whistler
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Whistler are as follows:
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Driving Range$15
Tours and Activities in Whistler
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Whistler are as follows:
- 2 Hour Late Afternoon Winter Zipline Adventure: $111
- Audain Art Museum Admission Ticket: $16
- Call of the Wild ATV Tour: $155
- Callaghan Cruiser Snowmobile Tour : $218
- Fishing Adventure in Whistler: $140
- Full Day Fly Fishing Tour: $249
- Full Day Spin Fishing Tour: $249
- Glacier Sightseeing Experience by Seaplane from Whistler: $183
- Guided Lunch Tour in Whistler: $88
- Half Day Fly Fishing Tour: $196
- Half Day Spin Fishing Tour: $194
- Ice Fishing Adventure in Whistler: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAtlanta $17Whistler $8.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Atlanta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Atlanta:
- Drag Queen Guided Pub Crawl and Cabaret Show: $36
- ATLANTA Yes, Queen! Drag Queen Pub Crawl : $40
- Half-Day Wine Tastings in the North Georgia Mountains : $115
- North Georgia Mountains Two Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $137
- Bartram Trail Hike plus Wine Tasting: $159
- North Georgia Mountains Three Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $165
- North Georgia Mountains Private Three Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $180
Sample the Local Flavors in Whistler
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Whistler:
- Whistler Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience: $66
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atlanta and Whistler, we can see that Atlanta is more expensive. And not only is Whistler much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Whistler would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Whistler 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 Atlanta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atlanta than you might in Whistler.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Atlanta Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Atlanta or Whistler?
Atlanta has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Atlanta and Whistler, 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.
When is the best time to visit Atlanta or Whistler?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Atlanta or Whistler in the Summer?
Both Whistler and Atlanta during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Atlanta is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the summer temperatures in Atlanta in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Whistler averages at about 18°C (64°F).
In Whistler, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Atlanta. In the summer, Atlanta often gets less sunshine than Whistler. Atlanta gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. Atlanta usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Atlanta gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAtlanta 82°F (28°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Atlanta or Whistler in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlanta and Whistler. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year.
In October, Atlanta is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Atlanta average around 66°F (19°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Atlanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Atlanta usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Atlanta gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Whistler receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Atlanta usually receives less rain than Whistler. Atlanta gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAtlanta 66°F (19°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Atlanta or Whistler in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Atlanta as well as Whistler. Many travelers come to Atlanta for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Whistler can get quite cold in the winter. Atlanta is much warmer than Whistler in the winter. The daily temperature in Atlanta averages around 45°F (7°C) in January, and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Atlanta often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Atlanta gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whistler. Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the winter. Atlanta usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Atlanta gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAtlanta 45°F (7°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Atlanta or Whistler in the Spring?
Both Whistler and Atlanta are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Atlanta in the spring for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Atlanta is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the spring temperatures in Atlanta in April average around 65°F (18°C), and Whistler averages at about 9°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. Atlanta usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Atlanta gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. It's quite rainy in Atlanta. In April, Atlanta usually receives around the same amount of rain as Whistler. Atlanta gets 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAtlanta 65°F (18°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Atlanta
| Atlanta | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 45°F (7°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 49°F (9°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 57°F (14°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 76°F (25°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 66°F (19°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 57°F (14°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 48°F (9°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
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.