Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Galveston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Galveston 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 Galveston and Whistler can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Galveston or Whistler?
Galveston
Located on Galveston Island off the Texas Gulf Coast, Galveston is a popular destination for Texans and a departure point for cruise ships. It also makes a great beach destination for anyone looking to enjoy a week or weekend.
Galveston is a popular destination during the summer months, but the warm climate makes it comfortable year round. Even during the winter months you can enjoy mild temperatures, although on occasion it can have a cold spell.
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 from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours 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 dayGalveston $183Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Galveston 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 Galveston and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGalveston $81Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGalveston $162Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Galveston and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Galveston 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: Galveston Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Galveston $35Whistler $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galveston
Also for Galveston, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer from Galveston Port to HOU Airport: $168
- Private Departure Transfer from Galveston to HOU Airport: $168
- Galveston Port to William Hobby Airport Departure Transfer: $168
- Galveston to Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) Private Transfer: $194
- Privat Transfer from Galveston Port to Houston Airport (IAH): $194
- Galveston Port to George Bush Airport Private Departure Transfer: $194
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 Galveston or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Galveston 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 dayGalveston $52Whistler $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Galveston
For Galveston, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste of the Strand Food Tour on Galveston Island: $105
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.Galveston $15Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in Galveston
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galveston.
- Self-Guided Ghost Tour on the Galveston Strand: $6.75
- Luggage Storage in Cruise Terminal: $8.73
- Unique Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Experience in League City: $10
- Pirates! Legends of the Gulf Coast Museum Ticket: $12
- Al's Authentic Paranormal Excursion Tour: $16
- Galveston Island Ghost Tour: $16
- Tour Galveston's 1895 Moody Mansion: $18
- Galveston Red Light District Tour: $20
- Tour of haunted locations with ghost hunting gear.: $20
- Galveston Haunted Tour with Ghost Hunting Equipment: $20
- Galveston's Flower Winery Tour at the Florvino Winery: $20
- Great! Galveston Ghost Tour: $20
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 dayGalveston $37Whistler $8.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Galveston
Also in Galveston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Galveston Island Brewing Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting : $10
- Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $25
- Galveston's Best Pub Crawl: $25
- Galveston Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
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 Galveston and Whistler, we can see that Galveston 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 Galveston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galveston 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 Galveston Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Galveston or Whistler?
Galveston has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Galveston 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 Galveston 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 Galveston or Whistler in the Summer?
Both Whistler and Galveston during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Galveston this time of year.
In July, Galveston is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Galveston average around 84°F (29°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Galveston usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Galveston gets 3 inches (77 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 JulyGalveston 84°F (29°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Galveston or Whistler in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Galveston and Whistler. Many travelers come to Galveston for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.
Galveston is much warmer than Whistler in the autumn. The daily temperature in Galveston averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Whistler receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Galveston usually receives less rain than Whistler. Galveston gets 2.3 inches (59 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 OctoberGalveston 71°F (22°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Galveston or Whistler in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Galveston as well as Whistler. Many visitors come to Galveston in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Whistler can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Galveston is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the winter temperatures in Galveston in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Whistler averages at about 4°C (40°F).
It's quite rainy in Whistler. Galveston usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Galveston gets 2.7 inches (68 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 JanuaryGalveston 52°F (11°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Galveston or Whistler in the Spring?
Both Whistler and Galveston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Galveston for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.
In April, Galveston is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Galveston average around 70°F (21°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. In April, Galveston usually receives less rain than Whistler. Galveston gets 2.4 inches (60 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 AprilGalveston 70°F (21°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Galveston
| Galveston | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 52°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 55°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 63°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 70°F (21°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 83°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (141 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 71°F (22°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 63°F (17°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 inches (84 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.