Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Raleigh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Raleigh or Whistler?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Raleigh 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: Raleigh or Whistler?
Raleigh
Raleigh is the capital city of the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of about 450,000 and is home to many colleges and university including North Carolina State University, Shaw University, Saint Augustine's College, Meredith College and Peace University. The city has a wide range of museums, restaurants, theaters, and parks. There's also an extensive greenway system that is great for biking or running.
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 dayRaleigh $189Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Raleigh is $189, 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 Raleigh and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRaleigh $104Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRaleigh $208Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Raleigh and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Raleigh 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: Raleigh Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Raleigh $37Whistler $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Raleigh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Raleigh:
- Raleigh to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $62
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $118
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $124
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whistler
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Whistler:
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Downtown Vancouver: $570
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Richmond BC: $633
- Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Whistler: $161
Is it cheaper to fly into Raleigh or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Raleigh 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 dayRaleigh $57Whistler $30
Typical Food Prices in Raleigh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Raleigh:
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The Pit Authentic BBQ (for 3)$84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Raleigh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Raleigh.
- Private Cooking Class in Durham with an Expert Home Cook: $104
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.Raleigh $37Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in Raleigh
Here are a few actual costs in Raleigh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Durham by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Chapel Hill, NC: $15
- Raleigh Historian-Guided Downtown Walking Tour: $16
- Guided Walking Historian Tour in Downtown Durham: $16
- Raleigh Downtown: Historic Walking Tours: $16
- Raleigh Ghost and Urban Legend Tour: $16
- Raleigh African American History Tour: $16
- True Crime History Guided Walking Tour: $16
- Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Walking Tour: $26
- Raleigh Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Tour: $33
- Raleigh Puzzling Adventure: $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:
- 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 dayRaleigh $27Whistler $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 Raleigh and Whistler, we can see that Raleigh 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 Raleigh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Raleigh 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 Raleigh Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Raleigh or Whistler?
Raleigh has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh or Whistler in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Raleigh and Whistler. Many travelers come to Raleigh for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Raleigh is a little warmer than Whistler. Typically, the summer temperatures in Raleigh in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Whistler averages at about 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whistler this time of the year. In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. Raleigh usually receives less sunshine than Whistler during summer. Raleigh gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
Raleigh gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Raleigh usually receives more rain than Whistler. Raleigh gets 5.1 inches (129 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 JulyRaleigh 79°F (26°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Raleigh or Whistler in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Raleigh as well as Whistler. Many visitors come to Raleigh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions.
In October, Raleigh is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 61°F (16°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Raleigh this time of the year. In the autumn, Raleigh often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Raleigh gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whistler. Raleigh usually gets less rain in October than Whistler. Raleigh gets 2.8 inches (71 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 OctoberRaleigh 61°F (16°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Raleigh or Whistler in the Winter?
Both Whistler and Raleigh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Raleigh for the museums and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Whistler can be very cold. Raleigh can be very cold during winter. Raleigh is around the same temperature as Whistler in the winter. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Raleigh usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during winter. Raleigh gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. In January, Raleigh usually receives less rain than Whistler. Raleigh gets 3.2 inches (82 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 JanuaryRaleigh 40°F (5°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Raleigh or Whistler in the Spring?
Both Whistler and Raleigh during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Raleigh is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the spring temperatures in Raleigh in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Whistler averages at about 9°C (49°F).
It's quite sunny in Raleigh. In the spring, Raleigh often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Raleigh gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun.
Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Raleigh usually gets less rain in April than Whistler. Raleigh gets 3.1 inches (78 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 AprilRaleigh 60°F (16°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Raleigh
| Raleigh | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 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.