Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Cape Cod?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cape Cod or Whistler?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cape Cod and Whistler. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Cape Cod or Whistler?
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, in eastern Massachusetts, is a popular travel destination for its natural beauty, rich history, and world renowned restaurants. Many visitors enjoy the bed and breakfasts that are so common in the area, but travelers on a budget may find their money goes a bit farther if that find a short term rental property a bit removed from the water.
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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle 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 dayCape Cod $183Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Cod is $183, 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 Cape Cod and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCape Cod $92Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCape Cod $184Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Cape Cod and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Cape Cod 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: Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cape Cod $50Whistler $20
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 Cape Cod or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Cape Cod 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 dayCape Cod $60Whistler $30
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.Cape Cod $27Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in Cape Cod
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cape Cod.
- Cape Cod Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- The Anne Hutchinson Tour of Provincetown: $30
- Plymouth Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Mayflower Trolley Tour!: $36
- 3-Hour Private Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Eastham: $39
- National Seashore Tour with Guided Hike: $65
- Truro Cape Cod Lighthouse and Highland House Museum Tour: $65
- Kayak The Creek Nature Tour: $80
- Cape Cod Explorer Tour: $80
- Cape Cod Sunset Kayak Tour: $80
- Private Open-Air Pedicab Tour in Provincetown: $117
- Private Province Town Pedicab Tour: $149
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 dayCape Cod $19Whistler $8.72
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 Cape Cod and Whistler, we can see that Cape Cod 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 Cape Cod would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Cod 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 Cape Cod Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Cape Cod 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 Cape Cod or Whistler in the Summer?
Both Whistler and Cape Cod during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cape Cod in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cape Cod is a little warmer than Whistler. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cape Cod in July average around 68°F (20°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 Cape Cod. In the summer, Cape Cod often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler. Cape Cod gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.
Cape Cod usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Cape Cod gets 3.8 inches (96 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 JulyCape Cod 68°F (20°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Cape Cod or Whistler in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Cod and Whistler. Most visitors come to Cape Cod for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Cape Cod is generally a little warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Cape Cod average around 53°F (12°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Cape Cod usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Cape Cod gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Whistler receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cape Cod gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cape Cod usually receives less rain than Whistler. Cape Cod gets 4.4 inches (111 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 OctoberCape Cod 53°F (12°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Cape Cod or Whistler in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cape Cod as well as Whistler. The winter months attract visitors to Cape Cod because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Whistler in the winter. The weather in Cape Cod can be very cold. Cape Cod is much colder than Whistler in the winter. The daily temperature in Cape Cod averages around 31°F (-0°C) in January, and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Cape Cod often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Cape Cod gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whistler. Cape Cod receives a lot of rain in the winter. Cape Cod usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Cape Cod gets 4.2 inches (106 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 JanuaryCape Cod 31°F (-0°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Cape Cod or Whistler in the Spring?
Both Whistler and Cape Cod are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cape Cod this time of year.
In the spring, Cape Cod is cooler than Whistler. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cape Cod in April average around 45°F (7°C), and Whistler averages at about 9°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Cod. Cape Cod usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Cape Cod gets 225 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 Cape Cod. In April, Cape Cod usually receives around the same amount of rain as Whistler. Cape Cod gets 4.1 inches (103 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 AprilCape Cod 45°F (7°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Cape Cod
| Cape Cod | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 31°F (-0°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 32°F (-0°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 62°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 62°F (17°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 53°F (12°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 4.5 inches (115 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.