Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Kauai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kauai 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 Kauai 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: Kauai or Whistler?
Kauai
Hawaii is certainly a bucket list destination, but what if you want to do it without being surrounded by tourists? You want the adventure of the land of volcanoes and less of the kids in water wings. Then Kaua'i is the island for you.
Kaua'i, or the "garden island," is full of tropical forests, little villages and even more laid back lifestyle – if you can imagine. It's a smaller island at 560 square miles with a population of only 68,000.
With more coastline miles than any other island, Kaua'i is the result of massive erosion forming awe-inspiring sights like the Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast. The island experiences more rainfall every year – keeping it lush and green all year.
You'll feel like you've walked into another world in Kaua'i. Because of height restrictions, this island's buildings are no taller than the coconut trees. So if you're looking for an escape from civilization, you'll want to head straight for Kaua'i.
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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking 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 dayKauai $190Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Kauai is $190, 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 Kauai and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKauai $113Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKauai $226Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Kauai and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Kauai 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: Kauai Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kauai $34Whistler $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kauai
Also for Kauai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Departure Transfer: Kauai Hotels to Kauai International Airport: $13
- Lihue Airport: Shared Transfer to Lihue: $19
- Private Departure Transfer to Kauai Airport (LIH): $80
- Private SUV Transfer - Lihue Airport to South Shore Kauai Resorts Koloa Poipu: $179
- Private SUV Transfer - Kauai Cruise Ship terminal : $199
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 Kauai or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Kauai 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 dayKauai $56Whistler $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kauai
For Kauai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Allerton Garden and Estate Tour with Sunset Dinner: $106
- Ahi Uila Fire Show and Dinner: $110
- Local Tastes Small Group Food Tour: $121
- Explore Waimea Town on a Walking Food Tour: $129
- Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Buffet Dinner and Show: $171
- Luau Ka Hikina Admission Ticket with Dinner and Lei Greeting: $209
- Napali Coast Sunset Sail with Dinner: $226
- Napali Sunset Dinner Cruise: $226
- Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Manor House Dinner & Show: $226
- VIP 4-Course Dinner and Luau Kalamaku Show: $237
- Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail: $242
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.Kauai $17Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in Kauai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kauai.
- Kauai Poipu & Koloa Town Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
- Kauai Audio Driving Private Tour: $15
- Ultimate Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Kauai (Na Pali, Waimea), Hawaii: $17
- Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Driving Tour app: $20
- North Shore Kauai Audio Driving Tour: $20
- Wailua Valley & Waterfalls Audio Driving Tour: $20
- Kauai Tour Bundle: Self-Drive GPS Road Trip: $30
- Island Highlights Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $40
- Allerton Garden Guided Group Walking Tour: $64
- Cruise Ship Excursion: Kauai – Wailua River Cruise & Fern Grotto: $99
- Princeville Botanical Gardens Tour and Chocolate Tasting Ticket: $99
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise: $104
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 dayKauai $14Whistler $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 Kauai and Whistler, we can see that Kauai 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 Kauai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kauai 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 Kauai Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kauai 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 Kauai or Whistler in the Summer?
Both Whistler and Kauai during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kauai in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kauai is a little warmer than Whistler. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kauai in July average around 78°F (25°C), and Whistler averages at about 18°C (64°F).
In Whistler, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kauai. In the summer, Kauai often gets less sunshine than Whistler. Kauai gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.
Kauai usually gets less rain in July than Whistler. Kauai gets 0.6 inches (17 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 JulyKauai 78°F (25°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kauai or Whistler in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kauai and Whistler. Most visitors come to Kauai for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Kauai is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Kauai average around 78°F (25°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Kauai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kauai usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Kauai gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Whistler receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Kauai usually receives less rain than Whistler. Kauai gets 3.3 inches (83 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 OctoberKauai 78°F (25°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Kauai or Whistler in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kauai as well as Whistler. The winter months attract visitors to Kauai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Whistler in the winter. Kauai is much warmer than Whistler in the winter. The daily temperature in Kauai averages around 71°F (22°C) in January, and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Kauai often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Kauai gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whistler. Kauai usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Kauai gets 3.9 inches (99 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 JanuaryKauai 71°F (22°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Kauai or Whistler in the Spring?
Both Whistler and Kauai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Kauai this time of year.
In the spring, Kauai is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kauai in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Whistler averages at about 9°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kauai. Kauai usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Kauai gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. In April, Kauai usually receives less rain than Whistler. Kauai gets 1.1 inches (27 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 AprilKauai 73°F (23°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Kauai
| Kauai | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 71°F (22°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 73°F (23°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 74°F (24°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 76°F (25°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (25°C) | 0.6 inches (17 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 78°F (26°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 78°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 2.5 inches (62 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.