Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Key West?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Key West or Whistler?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Key West or Whistler? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Key West or Whistler?
Key West
Key West is both a city and an island as well as the southern most Florida Key. It is also the southern most city in the continental United States. The island is only about four miles long and one mile wide. The total land mass covers just 4.2 square miles. The most famous street in town is Duval Street, which runs just 1.1 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. There are 14 blocks. The size of the island doubled during the 1950s when many of the salt ponds along the eastern side of the island were filled in.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKey West $551Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Key West is $551, 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 Key West and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKey West $132Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKey West $264Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Key West and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Key West 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: Key West Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Key West $51Whistler $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Key West
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Key West:
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Rental Car for One Day$38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Key West
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Key West:
- Private Transfer from Key West Int Airport to Key West Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Key West Cruise Port to Key West hotels: $38
- Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
- Key West to Key West Airport (EYW) - Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Key West hotels to Key West Int Airport (EYW) Departure Transfer: $64
- Marathon/ Key Largo to Fort Lauderdale Airport(FLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Key West Airport (EYW) to Key West - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $129
- Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $129
- Private Arrival Transfer from Key West Airport EYW: $144
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 Key West or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Key West 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 dayKey West $385Whistler $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Key West
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Key West.
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with Open Bar & Live Music: $81
- Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner and Drinks Included: $93
- Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $93
- Historic Seaport Food & Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $93
- Old Town Secret Food Tour: $107
- Sunset Sail Full Bar, Live Music & Dinner & Early Morning Snorkeling: $160
- Snorkeling, Sunset Dinner Cruise & Open Bar: $200
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.Key West $33Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in Key West
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Key West are as follows:
- Self-guided old town treasures walking tour: $6.99
- Key West's Self Guided Ghost Walking Tours Smartphone Navigated on WalknTours: $7.75
- Florida Keys: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.49
- Audio Tours to Walk, Bike, or Drive in Key West: $9.99
- Cruise Through Key West's Black History Audio Tour: $11
- Easy Stroll (or Bike) Through Downtown Key West Audio Tour: $11
- Key West’s Old Town Treasures: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Florida: Key West Overseas Highway Self-Driving Tour: $15
- Mel Fisher Maritime Museum Admission Ticket: $18
- Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum Tickets: $19
- Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum Admission Ticket: $19
- Key West Aquarium Admission Ticket: $23
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 dayKey West $16Whistler $8.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Key West
Also in Key West, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Key West Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour with Free T-Shirt: $32
- Bone Island Haunted Pub Crawl: $32
- 2.5-Hour Duval Street Pub Crawl: $43
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 Key West and Whistler, we can see that Key West 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 Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West 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 Key West Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Key West or Whistler?
Key West has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Key West 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 Key West 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 Key West or Whistler in the Summer?
Both Whistler and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Key West for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Key West is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 84°F (29°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Whistler. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during summer. Key West gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Key West usually receives more rain than Whistler. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 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 JulyKey West 84°F (29°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Key West or Whistler in the Autumn?
Both Whistler and Key West during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Key West in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Key West is much warmer than Whistler in the autumn. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite sunny in Key West. In the autumn, Key West often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Key West gets 258 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually gets less rain in October than Whistler. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Key West.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKey West 80°F (27°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Key West or Whistler in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and Whistler. Most visitors come to Key West for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Whistler can be very cold. In the winter, Key West is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the winter temperatures in Key West in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Whistler averages at about 4°C (40°F).
In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during winter. Key West gets 252 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, Key West usually receives less rain than Whistler. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 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 JanuaryKey West 70°F (21°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Key West or Whistler in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Key West as well as Whistler. The spring months attract visitors to Key West because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, Key West is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 77°F (25°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In the spring, Key West often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Key West gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whistler. Key West usually gets less rain in April than Whistler. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Key West is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKey West 77°F (25°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Key West
| Key West | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 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.