Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Edmonton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Edmonton or Whistler?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Edmonton and Whistler can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Edmonton or Whistler?
Edmonton
The capital of Alberta, Canada, Edmonton has a population of just over one million people in its metropolitan area. It is also North America's northernmost city of this large size. It's a beautiful place to visit because of the North Saskatchewan River Valley which has over one hundred kilometers of hiking trails, wildlife spotting, and overlooks. The valley has a string of parks which are wonderful to visit. In addition to the beautiful outdoor setting and activities, Edmonton also offers the largest shopping mall in North America, West Edmonton Mall. It's also a city with a lot of culture including a lively theater scene, many different festivals, and no shortage of sporting events that you could attend.
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 Contiki Tours to Canada, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEdmonton $181Whistler $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Edmonton is $181, while the average daily cost in Whistler is $126. 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 Edmonton and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEdmonton $102Whistler $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEdmonton $204Whistler $132
Compare Hotels in Edmonton and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Edmonton 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: Edmonton Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Edmonton $80Whistler $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edmonton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Edmonton:
- Private Departure Transfer from Edmonton to Edmonton Airport YEG: $43
- Edmonton to Edmonton Airport (YEG) - Departure Private Transfer: $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whistler
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Whistler:
- Whistler to Vancouver Harbour Water Airport - Departure Transfer: $77
- Private Departure Transfer from Whistler to Vancouver Airport YVR: $78
- Private Transfer from Whistler hotels to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $169
- Whistler to Vancouver Private Transfer: $180
- From Scenic Seaplane transfer to Vancouver : $180
- Transfer private vehicle from Whistler -Vancouver Airport (YVR): $203
- From Scenic Seaplane transfer to Victoria : $238
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Downtown Vancouver: $567
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Richmond BC: $630
Is it cheaper to fly into Edmonton or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Edmonton 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 dayEdmonton $16Whistler $30
Typical Food Prices in Edmonton
Some typical examples of dining costs in Edmonton are as follows:
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Snacks$7.33
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$3.67
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: $130
- Finer Things Dinner Tour in Whistler: $144
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Edmonton $92Whistler $79
Tours and Activities in Edmonton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Edmonton are as follows:
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Edmonton by Crazy Dash: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Edmonton Oilers Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $32
- Edmonton Oilers Ice Hockey Game Ticket at Rogers Place: $33
- 1-Hour Segway Adventure in Louise McKinney Park: $44
- Edmonton River Valley 60-Minute Segway Adventure: $44
- Edmonton River Valley 90-Minute Segway Adventure: $63
- Summer Sunset Cruise (2Hr Tour): $88
- Edmonton Food Bike Tour: $105
- Festival Food Bike Tour: $107
- Edmonton Food Bike Tour: $107
- The Best of Edmonton Walking Tour: $227
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: $6.72
- Audain Art Museum Admission Ticket: $16
- One Hour Axe Throwing Guided Experience in Whistler: $34
- Axe Throwing Experience: $35
- Vallea Lumina Multimedia Experience: $35
- The Great Whistler Walking Tour: Discover Whistler's Sights, History & Culture!: $49
- Whistler Forest Sensory Experience: $54
- Whistler Forest Sensory Experience for Families: $56
- Whistler Sightseeing Tour: Discover all of Whistler Year-Round!: $78
- Snowshoe Tours: $88
- Guided Lunch Tour in Whistler: $88
- Backcountry Snowshoeing Tour with Guide: $91
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEdmonton -Whistler $8.81
Sample the Local Flavors in Edmonton
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Edmonton:
- Edmonton Brewery Tour: $104
Sample the Local Flavors in Whistler
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Whistler:
- Whistler Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience: $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Edmonton and Whistler, we can see that Edmonton 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 Edmonton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edmonton 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 Edmonton Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Edmonton or Whistler?
Edmonton has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Edmonton 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.
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.