Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Portland?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Portland or Whistler?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Portland and Whistler can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Portland or Whistler?
Portland
Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.
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 dayPortland $180Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Portland is $180, 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 Portland and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPortland $97Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPortland $194Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Portland and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Portland 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: Portland Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Portland $28Whistler $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Waterfall Express -PDX: Waterfall Trolley Tickets + Transfer: $60
- Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Lake Oswego to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $88
- Portland International Airport - Private transfer from/to Oregon City: $127
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
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 Portland or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Portland 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 dayPortland $43Whistler $30
Typical Food Prices in Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Afternoon Drinks (for 2)$9.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Pizza Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour with Local Guide: $94
- Brunch on Mississippi Food Tour: $95
- Downtown Portland Food Tour : $99
- Downtown Food Tour: $102
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $105
- The Vibrant Kerns Hood Food Tour: $105
- The Bustling Buckman Hood Food Tour: $105
- Portland Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $109
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $110
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $119
- All-Inclusive Walking Food Tour: $119
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.Portland $24Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Smartphone Old Port Portland, ME Audio Walking Tour APP/GPS: $6.75
- Portland, Maine: Walking Tour Audio Guide: $8.49
- Downtown Portland In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Smartphone Audio Guide: $10
- Waterfront Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Downtown Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Portland (Along the Waterfront) Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Portland Exploration: Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $14
- Self-Guided Sightseeing Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Portland Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Portland, Oregon: $23
- Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Portland: $25
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 dayPortland $17Whistler $8.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
- Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $40
- Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Weird Bar Crawl with Fanatical Local: $59
- Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
- Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
- Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
- Afternoon Tour in Columbia Gorge Waterfall with Free Wine Tasting: $111
- Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Tour (Tasting Fees Included): $135
- Silver Falls Hike and Wine Tour: $179
- Willamette Valley Wine Tasting from Portland: $189
- Bed and Breakfast Wine Tour - Small Group, Joinable/Sharable: $198
- From Willamette Valley Full-Day Wine Tour: $210
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 Portland and Whistler, we can see that Portland 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 Portland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland 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 Portland Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Portland or Whistler?
Portland has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland or Whistler in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Portland as well as Whistler. Most visitors come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Portland is a little warmer than Whistler in the summer. The daily temperature in Portland averages around 68°F (20°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 Portland this time of the year. In the summer, Portland often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Portland gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.
Portland usually gets less rain in July than Whistler. Portland gets 0.7 inches (18 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 JulyPortland 68°F (20°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Portland or Whistler in the Autumn?
Both Whistler and Portland are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Portland because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Portland is a little warmer than Whistler. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Portland in October average around 55°F (13°C), and Whistler averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Portland usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Portland gets 155 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, Portland usually receives less rain than Whistler. Portland gets 2.6 inches (67 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 OctoberPortland 55°F (13°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Portland or Whistler in the Winter?
Both Whistler and Portland during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Whistler. It's quite cold in Portland in the winter. In January, Portland is generally around the same temperature as Whistler. Daily temperatures in Portland average around 40°F (4°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Portland often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Portland gets 86 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Portland. Portland usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Portland gets 5.2 inches (132 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 JanuaryPortland 40°F (4°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Portland or Whistler in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland and Whistler. Many travelers come to Portland for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Portland is a little warmer than Whistler in the spring. The daily temperature in Portland averages around 51°F (11°C) in April, and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In Portland, it's very sunny this time of the year. Portland usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Portland gets 231 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, Portland usually receives less rain than Whistler. Portland gets 2.4 inches (61 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 AprilPortland 51°F (11°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Portland
| Portland | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 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.