Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Toronto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Toronto 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 Toronto 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: Toronto or Whistler?
Toronto
The capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a very popular travel destination for any number of reasons. It's positioned along the coast of Lake Ontario and has a population of more than 2.6 million with 6.2 million in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a very international and diverse city, with a very rich cultural history. More than half of the city's population was not born in Canada, and there are more than eighty different ethnic neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the city. The city is a center for music, theater, film, and television. It has countless museums, festivals, and sights that attract more than 25 million tourists every year.
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 Northern Lights Tours in Canada, The Best Luxury Tours to Canada, The Best Tours for Seniors to Canada, and The Best Contiki Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayToronto $205Whistler $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Toronto is $205, while the average daily cost in Whistler is $126. 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 Toronto and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personToronto $86Whistler $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomToronto $172Whistler $132
Compare Hotels in Toronto and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Toronto 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: Toronto Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Toronto $33Whistler $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
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Airport Shuttle$27
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Train: 2 Day Passes$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Express Train Transfer to/from Pearson Airport: $8.98
- Private Transfer Toronto Hotels to Toronto Pearson Airport YYZ: $39
- Pearson Airport Private Hotel Transfer: $41
- Transfer Toronto Hotels to Toronto Pearson Airport YYZ: $41
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) - Toronto City: $48
- Private transfer from Toronto City Center to Pearson Airport(YYZ): $49
- One-Way Private Airport Transfer from Toronto to Pearson Airport: $62
- Toronto City to Pearson Airport Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto hotel/address -Arrival Private Transfer: $64
- Toronto to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) - Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by SUV or Minibus: $66
- Niagara Falls Day Trip with Wine Tasting & Transfer: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whistler
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Whistler:
- Whistler to Vancouver Private Transfer: $180
- Whistler to Vancouver Harbour Water Airport - Departure Transfer: $77
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Richmond BC: $630
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Downtown Vancouver: $567
- Private Transfer from Whistler hotels to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $168
- From Scenic Seaplane transfer to Vancouver : $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Toronto or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Toronto 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 dayToronto $65Whistler $30
Typical Food Prices in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch at St. Lawrence Market for Two$23
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Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)$56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Premium Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $60
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $73
- 3–Hour Secret Food Tour: $75
- Kensington Market International Food Tour: $80
- Taste of the Continents: International Food Tour : $96
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $109
- Toronto Obsession III Dinner Cruise: $128
- Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour With Boat Cruise & Dinner (optional): $155
- Toronto Food Tour with Local Foodie, Personalized & Private: $156
- Toronto World Food Tour : $196
- Food tour on Island Lake, Ontario from Toronto: $218
- Toronto Private Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $248
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$3.67
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: $130
- Finer Things Dinner Tour in Whistler: $144
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Toronto $31Whistler $79
Typical Entertainment Prices in Toronto
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Gallery of Ontario for Two$15
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CN Tower at night for Two$36
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Harbour Dinner Cruise$26
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Bata Shoe Museum (2)$7.33
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Downtown City Landmarks Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.36
- Graffiti in Toronto Walking Tour: $4.45
- Old Town Toronto History Walking Tour: $4.45
- Downtown Toronto Walking Tour: $4.45
- Toronto Tips-Based Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $5.00
- Between Huntsville and Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.09
- City Highlights Walking Tour: $5.09
- Kensington Market: Downtown Toronto Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Toronto's Waterfront: Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.18
- Toronto Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.75
- Old Town The Dark Side Quest Experience: $8.16
- Best of Toronto and Waterfront Self-Guided Tour: $8.17
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:
- Audain Art Museum Admission Ticket: $17
- Call of the Wild ATV Tour: $155
- Callaghan Cruiser Snowmobile Tour : $217
- From Glacier Sightseeing Experience by Seaplane : $182
- Full Day Fly Fishing Tour: $248
- Full Day Ice Fishing Tour: $249
- Full Day Spin Fishing Tour: $249
- Guided Fishing Adventure in Whistler: $155
- Half Day Fly Fishing Tour: $195
- Half Day Spin Fishing Tour: $194
- Medicine Trail Snowshoe Tour : $108
- One Hour Axe Throwing Guided Experience in Whistler: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayToronto $22Whistler $8.81
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Distillery District Outdoor Escape Game: $8.16
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $17
- Spirits of the Distillery District Ghost Tour: $25
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $27
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $39
- Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $40
- Toronto Distillery District self-guided walking tour & hunt: $42
- Evening Distillery District Segway Ghost Tour: $44
- Guided Bicycle Tour - Midtown, Brickworks and Distillery District: $82
- Craft Brewery Tour: $87
- Toronto Craft Brewery Tour: $92
- Canadian Wine Tasting Experience: $127
Sample the Local Flavors in Whistler
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Whistler:
- Whistler Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience: $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Toronto and Whistler, we can see that Toronto 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Toronto or Whistler?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 440 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Toronto 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 Toronto 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 Toronto or Whistler in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Toronto as well as Whistler.
Toronto is a little warmer than Whistler in the summer. The daily temperature in Toronto averages around 21°C (70°F) 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 Toronto this time of the year. In the summer, Toronto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler. Toronto gets 281 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.
Toronto usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Toronto gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyToronto 21°C (70°F)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Toronto or Whistler in the Autumn?
Both Whistler and Toronto are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Toronto is around the same temperature as Whistler. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toronto in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Whistler averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Toronto usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Toronto gets 153 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, Toronto usually receives less rain than Whistler. Toronto gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberToronto 11°C (51°F)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Toronto or Whistler in the Winter?
Both Whistler and Toronto during the winter are popular places to visit.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Whistler. It's quite cold in Toronto in the winter. In January, Toronto is generally much colder than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Toronto average around -4°C (25°F), and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Toronto often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Toronto gets 87 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. Toronto usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Toronto gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryToronto -4°C (25°F)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Toronto or Whistler in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Toronto and Whistler.
Toronto is cooler than Whistler in the spring. The daily temperature in Toronto averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Toronto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler during spring. Toronto gets 179 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, Toronto usually receives less rain than Whistler. Toronto gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilToronto 7°C (44°F)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Toronto
| Toronto | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (30°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) | 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.