Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Reno?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Reno or Whistler?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Reno 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: Reno or Whistler?
Reno
In the northwest area of Nevada, Reno sits at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. After Las Vegas, it's the second most popular tourist destination in the state of Nevada. You'll find some nice resorts, elaborate casinos, nice restaurants and unique opportunities for entertainment throughout the city.
The city, referred to as "The Biggest Little City in the World", has a population of about 235,000. It's part of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, which has a population of about 440,000.
Reno is located in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The city has a steppe climate with light to moderate snowfall in the winter months. Precipitation is most common during the winter and spring, but the city averages about 300 days of sunshine a year. Average temperatures are 35 degrees Fahrenheit in December and 75 degrees Fahrenheit in July.
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 Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples 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 dayReno $144Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Reno is $144, 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 Reno and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personReno $55Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomReno $110Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Reno and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Reno 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: Reno Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Reno $23Whistler $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Reno
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Reno:
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Car Wash$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reno
Also for Reno, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Reno to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Private Arrival Transfer : $67
- Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Heavenly Mountain - Arrival Transfer: $109
- Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $134
- Reno Tahoe Airport to Northstar/Squaw Valley - Arrival Transfer: $163
- Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Mammoth Mountain: Arrival Transfer: $186
- Reno Tahoe Airport to Heavenly Mountain - Round-Trip Transfer: $219
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 Reno or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Reno 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 dayReno $54Whistler $30
Typical Food Prices in Reno
For Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dennys for Breakfast$22
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Sushi DInner (for 2)$40
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In-n-Out Burger (for 3)$19
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.Reno $88Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in Reno
For Reno, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- From Reno Arch to Truckee River: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Reno by Operation City Quest: $10
- Reno Scavenger Hunt: Reno Adventure: $12
- Lake Tahoe Audio Driving Tour: $14
- Lake Tahoe: Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour: $14
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Carson City, NV: $15
- Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $22
- Zero Latency Extreme Virtual Reality Experience Ticket: $25
- Gangs and Gamblers Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- Reno Ghosts Tour: $30
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 dayReno $13Whistler $8.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Reno
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Reno:
- 1 Hour Distillery Tour and Tasting Flight: $25
- Brewery Tour: $130
Sample the Local Flavors in Whistler
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Whistler:
- Whistler Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience: $66
When comparing the travel costs between Reno and Whistler, we can see that Reno is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Reno Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Reno or Whistler?
Reno has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Reno 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.
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.