Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Ocean City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ocean City or Whistler?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ocean City 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: Ocean City or Whistler?
Ocean City
One of the most popular vacation areas of the U.S. east coast, Ocean City is a long-time resort town, taking roots as a getaway when the first beach-front cottage was built in 1869. The destination sits on a strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle of Wight Bay. The Atlantic Hotel was the first major hotel, built in 1875 and still in business today. It has been family owned and operated since Charles W. Purnell bought it in 1923.
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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) 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 dayOcean City $160Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocean City is $160, 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 Ocean City and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcean City $83Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcean City $166Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Ocean City and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Ocean City 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: Ocean City Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocean City $47Whistler $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 Downtown Vancouver: $570
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Richmond BC: $633
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocean City or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Ocean City 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 dayOcean City $49Whistler $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.Ocean City $18Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in Ocean City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ocean City are as follows:
- High-Speed Sunrise Cruise and Dolphin Watching: $25
- Speedboat Coastal Tour with Dolphin Spotting: $25
- Banana Boat Fun Adventure: $33
- High-Speed Sunset Cruise & Dolphin Watch: $36
- Guided Happy Hour Bar Hopping Tour: $50
- Assateague Island Morning Cruise: $79
- Midtown District Walking Foodie Tour: $110
- Downtown and Boardwalk Foodie Walking Tour: $110
- Atlantic Ocean Catamaran Cruise with Crew: $125
- Atlantic Coastline Parasailing Adventure: $132
- Bay Hopping Food Boat Tour with Tastings: $179
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 dayOcean City $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 Ocean City and Whistler, we can see that Ocean City 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 Ocean City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ocean City 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 Ocean City Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Whistler?
Whistler has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City 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 Ocean City 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 Ocean City or Whistler in the Summer?
Both Whistler and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ocean City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Ocean City is a little warmer than Whistler. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocean City in July average around 77°F (25°C), and Whistler averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Ocean City. In July, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Whistler. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 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 JulyOcean City 77°F (25°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Ocean City or Whistler in the Autumn?
Both Whistler and Ocean City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In October, Ocean City is generally a little warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 58°F (14°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ocean City usually gets less rain in October than Whistler. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcean City 58°F (14°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Ocean City or Whistler in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Whistler. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Whistler can be very cold. Ocean City can be very cold during winter. Ocean City is much colder than Whistler in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 35°F (2°C) in January, and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Whistler receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Ocean City usually receives less rain than Whistler. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 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 JanuaryOcean City 35°F (2°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Ocean City or Whistler in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Whistler. The spring months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the beaches.
In the spring, Ocean City is a little warmer than Whistler. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocean City in April average around 54°F (12°C), and Whistler averages at about 9°C (49°F).
It's quite rainy in Whistler. Ocean City usually gets less rain in April than Whistler. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcean City 54°F (12°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Ocean City
| Ocean City | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 35°F (2°C) | 3.6 inches (93 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 37°F (3°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 5.3 inches (135 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 69°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 58°F (14°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 49°F (9°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (93 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.