A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Toronto vs. Whistler for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Food

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.

Toronto

Toronto is a cultural, diverse, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Toronto travel costs.

Whistler

Whistler is a adventurous, outdoorsy, and charming village. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Whistler is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include skiing, nightlife, and food. See Whistler travel costs.

Toronto and Whistler: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toronto or Whistler?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toronto. Although Toronto and Whistler are both popular with visitors, Toronto has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Toronto is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Whistler is known for its skiing, resorts, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Whistler is more touristy than Toronto and is popular for its world renowned skiing and snowboarding. Toronto is popular for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also home to the CN Tower.

How is Toronto different from Whistler?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Whistler and Toronto. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Toronto or Whistler Better for Skiing?

Whistler is terrific for skiing and snowboarding. However, Toronto is not a skiing destination.

Visitors will find world class skiing in Whistler. Whistler is the largest ski resort in North America. It covers a vast area that includes two peaks - Whistler and Blackcomb. The slopes are connected by lifts and gondolas and there are options for every level, from beginner to expert.

Toronto is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Toronto or Whistler?

Toronto is renowned for its sights and museums. However, Whistler is not a good village for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Toronto that are not to be missed. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

While most people don't head to Whistler specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There is a local museum where you can learn about the areas culture and heritage.

Is the Food Better in Toronto or Whistler? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Toronto and Whistler.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Toronto. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Whistler. There are many great restaurants and pubs that serve local dishes like Whistler herring, meatloaf, and Artic char fish. There are casual eateries as well as fine dining with upscale cuisine.

Is Toronto or Whistler Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is renowned for nightlife. Also, Whistler is not as famous, but is still a good village to visit for nightlife and partying.

Toronto is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

Whistler has a large number of nightlife venues. After a day on the slopes, you can enjoy the lively nightlife that includes après ski bars, nightclubs, and late night parties.

Is Toronto or Whistler Better for Resorts?

Whistler is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Toronto is not a resort destination.

In Whistler, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There's a large selection of resorts that you can choose from. Many have pools and hot tubs and range from romantic to family-friendly.

Toronto is not a resort destination.

Is Toronto or Whistler Better for Hiking?

Whistler is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Around Whistler visitors will find world-class hiking trails. During the warmer seasons there are miles of hiking trails that take you through both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Many trails are accessible by gondola and you'll find great views and stunning vistas. Trails range from short family-friendly options to strenuous and adventurous routes.

Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Toronto or Whistler?

Toronto is renowned for shopping. Also, Whistler is not as famous, but is still a good village to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Toronto is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Whistler. The village offers great shopping where you can pick up local items or any ski gear you may have forgotten.

Is Toronto or Whistler More Beautiful?

Whistler is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Whistler is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The town sits in a valley that is surrounded by stunning mountains and impressive glaciers.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Toronto or Whistler Better for Families?

Whistler is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Whistler is an extremely popular village to visit for families. Kids will love the winter activities like skiing, dog sledding, and bobsledding. There's also an ice skating rink, climbing gym, and tons of kid-friendly restaurants.

Toronto is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

Is Toronto or Whistler Better for Couples?

Both Toronto and Whistler are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Toronto makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

Couples visit Whistler frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy an adventure will love the year-round outdoor sports. There are also romantic spas, fine dining, and scenic gondola rides.

Is Toronto or Whistler Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto and Whistler are both high quality destinations for backpackers.

Toronto is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Whistler is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are several hostels in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Toronto or Whistler Better for Students?

Toronto is renowned for students. However, Whistler is not popular with students.

Toronto is a great destination for students. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

Whistler is not popular with students.

Is Toronto or Whistler Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Toronto is renowned for its public transit. However, Whistler is not a good village for times when you don't have a car.

Toronto has a great public transit system. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

Public transit is mostly limited in Whistler. There's a bus system that connects the town to other nearby neighborhoods.

Is Toronto or Whistler a more walkable city?

Toronto and Whistler are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Toronto is very walkable. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

Whistler is a very walkable city. It's a compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Toronto Worth Visiting? and Is Whistler Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Whistler or Toronto?

How long in Toronto or Whistler?

In either Toronto or Whistler, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than Whistler because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Toronto, and 3-5 days is enough time in Whistler.

Families should spend more time in Whistler than Toronto. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Whistler, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Toronto than Whistler. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Toronto that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toronto than Whistler if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Toronto.

One day in Toronto or Whistler?

Toronto is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Whistler, you'll find skiing and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This village offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Toronto or Whistler?

Toronto is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Whistler, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Toronto or Whistler?

Toronto is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Toronto, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Whistler is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Whistler has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Toronto or Whistler?

Toronto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Toronto has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Whistler. Many people enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting Whistler. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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.

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. Most visitors come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Whistler because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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.

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. The autumn months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Whistler this time of year.

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.

Should I visit Toronto or Whistler in the Winter?

Both Whistler and Toronto during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toronto this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Whistler for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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.

Should I visit Toronto or Whistler in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Toronto and Whistler. Many travelers come to Toronto for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Whistler in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

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.

Typical Weather for Whistler and Toronto