Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Mystic?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mystic 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 Mystic 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: Mystic or Whistler?
Mystic
Mystic is a popular tourist destination in Connecticut for its many marinas, historic buildings, aquarium, and seaport. It was historically a shipbuilding and maritime town but today it attracts crowds from many nearby states and regions. Sailing trips are a fun activity that get visitors out on the water. The town is also near Foxwoods Casino.
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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki 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 dayMystic $210Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Mystic is $210, 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 Mystic and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMystic $125Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMystic $250Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Mystic and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Mystic 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: Mystic Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mystic $56Whistler $20
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 Richmond BC: $633
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Downtown Vancouver: $570
Is it cheaper to fly into Mystic or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Mystic 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 dayMystic $52Whistler $30
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.Mystic $24Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in Mystic
For Mystic, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mystic Moonlit Graveyard Ghost Tour: $30
- Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour: $30
- Ghosts of Christmas Past Downtown Walking Tour: $30
- Mystic Seaport Museum Adventure : $31
- Moonlit Mystic Graveyard Ghost Tour: $35
- Guided Ghost Tour of Downtown Mystic at Night: $35
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 dayMystic $31Whistler $8.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Mystic
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mystic:
- Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
- Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
- Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100
- Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100
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 Mystic and Whistler, we can see that Mystic 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 Mystic would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mystic 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 Mystic Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mystic or Whistler?
Whistler has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Mystic 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 Mystic 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 Mystic or Whistler in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mystic as well as Whistler. Many visitors come to Mystic in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Mystic is a little warmer than Whistler in the summer. The daily temperature in Mystic averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whistler. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In the summer, Mystic often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler. Mystic gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.
Mystic usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Mystic gets 2.8 inches (72 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 JulyMystic 73°F (23°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Mystic or Whistler in the Autumn?
Both Whistler and Mystic are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Mystic for the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Mystic is a little warmer than Whistler. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mystic in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Whistler averages at about 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. Mystic usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Mystic gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. In October, Mystic usually receives less rain than Whistler. Mystic 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 OctoberMystic 53°F (12°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Mystic or Whistler in the Winter?
Both Whistler and Mystic during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Mystic because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Whistler in the winter. The weather in Mystic can be very cold. In January, Mystic is generally much colder than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Mystic average around 28°F (-2°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Mystic often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Mystic gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.
Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mystic usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Mystic gets 3.5 inches (89 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 JanuaryMystic 28°F (-2°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Mystic or Whistler in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mystic and Whistler. The beaches are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.
Mystic is around the same temperature as Whistler in the spring. The daily temperature in Mystic averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mystic usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Mystic gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
Whistler receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Mystic usually receives less rain than Whistler. Mystic gets 3.7 inches (94 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 AprilMystic 48°F (9°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Mystic
| Mystic | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 33°F (0°C) | 4.1 inches (105 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.