Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Dayton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dayton or Whistler?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton 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: Dayton or Whistler?
Dayton
Located in southwest Ohio, Dayton is known as the "Gem City." It's the original home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who designed the first airplane. You'll also find the Dayton Aviation Heritage Park here, which is one of the only multi-site National Parks in the United States. The cities climate has four different seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. The winter months are quite cold and you can expect a decent amount of snow in the area. Spring remains cool and there are infrequent showers. This is also the peak time for tornadoes in the area. Summer is hot and humid and can be unpleasant at times, but fall is crisp and refreshing with occasional storms and infrequent tornadoes.
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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to 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 dayDayton $323Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $323, 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 Dayton and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Dayton 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: Dayton Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Whistler $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 Dayton or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Dayton 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 dayDayton $61Whistler $30
Typical Food Prices in Dayton
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dayton are as follows:
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Noodle Company Lunch (for 2)$17
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Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$34
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.Dayton -Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in Dayton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:
- Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
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 dayDayton -Whistler $8.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Dayton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dayton:
- Dive Bar Bus Crawl: $38
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 Dayton and Whistler, we can see that Dayton 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 Dayton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dayton 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 Dayton Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Whistler?
Dayton has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Dayton 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 Dayton 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 Dayton or Whistler in the Summer?
Both Whistler and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Dayton is a little warmer than Whistler. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dayton in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Whistler averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Whistler. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dayton. Dayton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler during summer. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Dayton usually receives more rain than Whistler. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 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 JulyDayton 78°F (26°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Dayton or Whistler in the Autumn?
Both Whistler and Dayton during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Dayton is generally a little warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 57°F (14°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Dayton often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Dayton gets 188 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. Dayton usually gets less rain in October than Whistler. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 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 OctoberDayton 57°F (14°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Dayton or Whistler in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Whistler.
Whistler can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dayton. Dayton is much colder than Whistler in the winter. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Dayton usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during winter. Dayton gets 129 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, Dayton usually receives less rain than Whistler. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 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 JanuaryDayton 30°F (-1°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Dayton or Whistler in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Whistler.
In the spring, Dayton is a little warmer than Whistler. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dayton in April average around 55°F (13°C), and Whistler averages at about 9°C (49°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dayton this time of the year. In the spring, Dayton often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whistler. Dayton usually gets less rain in April than Whistler. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 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 AprilDayton 55°F (13°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Dayton
| Dayton | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 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.