A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Las Vegas vs. Whistler for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas 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: Las Vegas or Whistler?

Las Vegas

Las Vegas has long been the gambling capital of the United States. Known as "Sin City," it is a hot spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, but in recent years it has seen a dramatic increase in weddings and business conferences. It is the largest city in the state of Nevada and one of the most visited and well known cities in the country. It is located in the Mojave Desert in South Nevada and has a very arid climate with very hot and dry summers. The average high in July is 104 degrees Fahrenheit, but as many people like to say "its a dry heat." Winters are cooler and pleasant with highs around 60 degrees Fahrenheits. Snow is very rare but the surrounding mountains are often topped with snow during the winter months.

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 Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Las Vegas?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Las Vegas is $310, 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 Las Vegas and Whistler in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Las Vegas $158
    Whistler $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Las Vegas $316
    Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Las Vegas and Whistler

Looking for a hotel in Las Vegas 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.

Hotels in Las Vegas


Hotels in Whistler


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: Las Vegas Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Las Vegas $53
    Whistler $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Las Vegas

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Las Vegas are as follows:


  • 24 Hr Bus Pass
    $15
  • 24 hrs Deuce Bus
    $7.00
  • Taxi from Airport to the Strip
    $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Las Vegas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Las Vegas:

  • Ninoy Aquino International Airport Transfer Any Part of Manila: $23
  • Private Transfer from Salomague Port to Laoag Airport (LAO) : $46
  • Private Transfer from Subic Bay Port to Clark Airport (CRK): $46
  • Private Transfer from Laoag city hotels to Salomague Cruise Port: $46
  • Private Transfer from Salomague Cruise Port to Laoag city hotels: $46
  • Transfer from Airport to Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel: $50
  • Private Transfer: McCarran International Airport (LAS) to Las Vegas : $50
  • Private Transfer: Las Vegas to McCarran International Airport (LAS): $51
  • Private Transfer from Manila City Hotels to Subic Bay Cruise Port: $52
  • Lake Las Vegas to Las Vegas Airport (LAS) - Departure Transfer: $52
  • Las Vegas Airport(LAS)to Lake Las Vegas- Arrival Private Transfer: $52
  • Lake Las Vegas to Las Vegas Airport (LAS) - Departure Transfer: $52

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 Las Vegas or Whistler?

Prices for flights to both Whistler and Las Vegas 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Las Vegas $80
    Whistler $30
Typical Food Prices in Las Vegas

Some typical examples of dining costs in Las Vegas are as follows:


  • Coffee
    $5.00
  • Deep Fried Twinkie
    $1.07
  • Chocolate Dip Banana
    $1.07
  • Gelato
    $5.95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Las Vegas

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Las Vegas.

  • Guest Artists Chuck Wagon Dinner Show in Henderson: $49
  • Chuck Wagon Dinner and Show at the Firelight Barn in Henderson: $49
  • Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience : $65
  • Manila A Walking Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink: $70
  • Makati Street Food tour Experience with Mari: $73
  • Manila Filipino Cooking Class: Meryenda Favorites: $75
  • Las Vegas Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $80
  • Market Tour and Provincial Filipino Cooking Class in the Countryside: $88
  • Downtown Las Vegas Food Tour: $89
  • Private Filipino cooking class in a local Manila Home: $90
  • Marriage Can Be Murder Dinner Show in Las Vegas: $100
  • Private Filipino Cooking Class in the Heart of Manila,Makati City: $110

Typical Food Prices in Whistler

Some typical examples of dining costs in Whistler are as follows:


  • Coffee at Starbucks
    $12
  • Tim Hortons Breakfast
    $12
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Las Vegas $78
    Whistler $78
Typical Entertainment Prices in Las Vegas

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Las Vegas are as follows:


  • Wedding Chapel
    $139
  • Atomic Testing Museum (two people)
    $12
  • Gondola Ride (4 person)
    $64
  • Monorail Ride
    $5.00
  • NY NY Rollercoaster
    $14
  • Circus Circus Adventure Dome Day Pass
    $26

Tours and Activities in Las Vegas

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Las Vegas are as follows:

  • Self-Guided Red Rock Canyon Audio Driving Tour: $7.19
  • Hoover Dam & Lake Mead: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Red Rock Canyon: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Las Vegas’ Glitter Gulch, Ghosts and Gangsters: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Las Vegas Strip: Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Dowtown Las Vegas: $10
  • Hoover Dam: Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $12
  • Self-Guided Sightseeing Highlights Digital Tour: $13
  • Hoover Dam and Lake Mead Audio-Guided Tour: $14
  • Vegas Highlights: Neon Lights & Desert - Audio Driving Tour: $15
  • Las Vegas Strip Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour : $15
  • Red Rock Canyon Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Guide: $15

Typical Entertainment Prices in Whistler

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Whistler are as follows:


  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Las Vegas $55
    Whistler $8.72

Sample the Local Flavors in Las Vegas

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Las Vegas:

  • Mobsters, Casinos, and Speaky Bar Crawl: $36
  • Las Vegas Fremont Street Bar Crawl (party bus add-on option): $36
  • Off The Beaten Path Bar Crawl: $45
  • Las Vegas Bar Crawl by Party Bus with Free Drinks: $49
  • Zombie Burlesque at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino: $50
  • Zombie Burlesque Comedy Musical Show Ticket: $50
  • Fremont Street Party Bus and Bar Crawl: $50
  • Las Vegas Fremont Street Bar Crawl : $50
  • Las Vegas Fremont Street Bar Crawl: $50
  • Red Velvet Burlesque Show in Las Vegas: $55
  • Las Vegas Country Bar Crawl by Party Bus w/ Free Drinks: $59
  • Fantasy Burlesque Show at Luxor Hotel & Casino: $61

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 Las Vegas and Whistler, we can see that Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Las Vegas or Whistler?

Las Vegas has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Las Vegas 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.