Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Eugene?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Eugene 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 Eugene 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: Eugene or Whistler?
Eugene
At the southern end of the Willamette Valley, Eugene is most recognized as the home of the University of Oregon. It's a smaller city with a liberal population that is generally concerned about environmental issues. A popular experience in Eugene is to go to the Saturday Market, which has been around since 1970 and is the oldest open air market in the United States.
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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers 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 dayEugene $160Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Eugene is $160, 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 Eugene and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEugene $97Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEugene $194Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Eugene and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Eugene 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: Eugene Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eugene $37Whistler $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whistler
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Whistler:
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Downtown Vancouver: $570
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Richmond BC: $633
- Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Whistler: $161
Is it cheaper to fly into Eugene or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Eugene 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 dayEugene $41Whistler $30
Typical Food Prices in Eugene
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Eugene:
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Sam Bonds Food and Music (for 2)$16
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Morning Glory Cafe Breakfast (for 2)$12
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.Eugene -Whistler $78
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 dayEugene -Whistler $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 Eugene and Whistler, we can see that Eugene 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 Eugene would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eugene 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 Eugene Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eugene or Whistler?
Eugene has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Eugene 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 Eugene 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 Eugene or Whistler in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Eugene and Whistler.
In July, Eugene is generally a little warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Eugene average around 68°F (20°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In July, Eugene usually receives less rain than Whistler. Eugene gets 0.3 inches (8 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 JulyEugene 68°F (20°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Eugene or Whistler in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Eugene as well as Whistler.
Eugene is a little warmer than Whistler in the autumn. The daily temperature in Eugene averages around 55°F (13°C) in October, and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite rainy in Whistler. Eugene receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Eugene usually gets less rain in October than Whistler. Eugene gets 4.3 inches (109 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 OctoberEugene 55°F (13°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Eugene or Whistler in the Winter?
Both Whistler and Eugene are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
It's quite cold in Whistler in the winter. In the winter, Eugene is a little warmer than Whistler. Typically, the winter temperatures in Eugene in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Whistler averages at about 4°C (40°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. It's quite rainy in Eugene. In January, Eugene usually receives more rain than Whistler. Eugene gets 7.1 inches (181 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 JanuaryEugene 41°F (5°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Eugene or Whistler in the Spring?
Both Whistler and Eugene during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Eugene is generally a little warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Eugene average around 51°F (11°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Eugene usually gets less rain in April than Whistler. Eugene gets 2.2 inches (57 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 AprilEugene 51°F (11°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Eugene
| Eugene | Whistler | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 41°F (5°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 51°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (34 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 42°F (5°C) | 6.3 inches (161 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.