A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Simons vs. Whistler for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Simons or Whistler?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Saint Simons 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: Saint Simons or Whistler?

Saint Simons

Located just off the coast of southern Georgia, Saint Simons Island is the largest of the state’s renowned "Golden Isle's." Visitors are drawn to the Island for its warm climate, beaches, variety of outdoor activities, shops and restaurants, historical sites, and its natural environment. With most of the natural marsh and woodlands to the north and the commercial attractions centralized in the south, Saint Simons has a little taste of everything for all who come to see it.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Simons and Whistler, we can see that Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Simons or Whistler?

Saint Simons has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons or Whistler in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Simons and Whistler. Many travelers come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Simons is much warmer than Whistler in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whistler this time of the year. In Saint Simons, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Simons usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler during summer. Saint Simons gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint Simons gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Simons usually receives more rain than Whistler. Saint Simons gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Whistler in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Simons as well as Whistler. Many visitors come to Saint Simons in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Simons is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Simons in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Whistler averages at about 11°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Simons this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Simons often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Saint Simons gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Whistler. Saint Simons usually gets less rain in October than Whistler. Saint Simons gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Whistler in the Winter?

Both Whistler and Saint Simons are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Simons for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Whistler can be very cold. In January, Saint Simons is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 53°F (12°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Saint Simons usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during winter. Saint Simons gets 191 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, Saint Simons usually receives less rain than Whistler. Saint Simons gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Whistler in the Spring?

Both Whistler and Saint Simons during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Saint Simons is much warmer than Whistler in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint Simons. In the spring, Saint Simons often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Saint Simons gets 285 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. Saint Simons usually gets less rain in April than Whistler. Saint Simons gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Whistler and Saint Simons