Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Columbia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Columbia or Whistler?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Columbia or Whistler? 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: Columbia or Whistler?
Columbia
Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.
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 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week 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 dayColumbia $0.00Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Columbia is $0.00, 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 Columbia and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColumbia -Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColumbia $0.00Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Columbia and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Columbia 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: Columbia Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Columbia -Whistler $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whistler
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Whistler:
- Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Whistler: $161
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Downtown Vancouver: $570
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Richmond BC: $633
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Columbia 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 dayColumbia $5.03Whistler $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.Columbia -Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in Columbia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:
- Soda City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Columbia: $12
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:
- Sea to Sky Highway: a Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $6.31
- Audain Art Museum Admission Ticket: $16
- One Hour Axe Throwing Guided Experience in Whistler: $33
- Vallea Lumina Multimedia Experience: $35
- The Great Whistler Walking Tour: Discover Whistler's Sights, History & Culture!: $49
- Whistler Sightseeing Tour: Discover all of Whistler Year-Round!: $78
- Guided Lunch Tour in Whistler: $88
- Rock Climbing Beginner Experience: $94
- Whistler Valley Tour by Seaplane: 20-Minute Flight: $102
- Sky-Walk Mountain Climbing Tour: $102
- Whistler Glacier Discovery Tour: $103
- Guided eBike Adventure: $106
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColumbia $88Whistler $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 Columbia and Whistler, we can see that Whistler is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Whistler would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whistler than you might in Columbia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Columbia Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Columbia or Whistler?
Columbia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Columbia 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 Columbia or Whistler?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Columbia or Whistler in the Summer?
Both Whistler and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Columbia for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Columbia is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 82°F (28°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Whistler. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler during summer. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Columbia. In July, Columbia usually receives more rain than Whistler. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyColumbia 82°F (28°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Columbia or Whistler in the Autumn?
Both Whistler and Columbia during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Columbia in the autumn for the shopping scene.
Columbia is much warmer than Whistler in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite sunny in Columbia. In the autumn, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun.
Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Columbia usually gets less rain in October than Whistler. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberColumbia 64°F (18°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Columbia or Whistler in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Whistler. Most visitors come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Whistler can be very cold. In the winter, Columbia is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbia in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Whistler averages at about 4°C (40°F).
Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during winter. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
Whistler receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Columbia usually receives less rain than Whistler. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryColumbia 45°F (7°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Columbia or Whistler in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Whistler.
In April, Columbia is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In the spring, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whistler. Columbia usually gets less rain in April than Whistler. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilColumbia 64°F (18°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Columbia
| Columbia | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 56°F (13°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (67 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.