Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Virginia Beach?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Virginia Beach or Whistler?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach or Whistler, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Virginia Beach or Whistler?
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. It's a popular beach destination and has many of the characteristics of most southeastern beach towns. There are many activities that you can enjoy and there's a concrete boardwalk that runs parallel to the water for about three miles. The boardwalk is a fun place to walk or bicycle. The beach itself is wide and sandy and is a great place to soak up some sun. During the summer months and school holidays it can get quite crowded and you might struggle to find a place for your towel and beach chairs. There are also many beach side resorts that line the water front. Most have pools and hot tubs where you can relax and some hotels have indoor pools as well, which can be nice during the cool winter months.
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 Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages 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 dayVirginia Beach $126Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Virginia Beach is $126, 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 Virginia Beach and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVirginia Beach $71Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVirginia Beach $142Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Virginia Beach and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Virginia Beach 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: Virginia Beach Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Virginia Beach $39Whistler $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Virginia Beach
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:
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Beach Parking$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whistler
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Whistler:
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Richmond BC: $633
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Downtown Vancouver: $570
- Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Whistler: $161
Is it cheaper to fly into Virginia Beach or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Virginia Beach 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 dayVirginia Beach $30Whistler $30
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.Virginia Beach $21Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in Virginia Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
- Neptune Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- Neptune Ghosts: Ghosts of the Coast By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- Sunset Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour: $45
- Morning Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour: $45
- Ziplining and Climbing at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium: $59
- Dolphin Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour: $60
- Wetland Zip Tour: $65
- Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $68
- Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $68
- Kayak Dolphin Tours | Must Know How to Swim: $78
- Dolphin Kayak Tour in Virginia Beach Must know how to swim: $87
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 dayVirginia Beach $11Whistler $8.72
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 Virginia Beach and Whistler, we can see that Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Whistler?
Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach or Whistler in the Summer?
Both Whistler and Virginia Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Virginia Beach is generally a little warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 79°F (26°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Whistler, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. In the summer, Virginia Beach often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler. Virginia Beach gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Virginia Beach gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVirginia Beach 79°F (26°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Virginia Beach or Whistler in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Virginia Beach and Whistler. The natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.
Virginia Beach is much warmer than Whistler in the autumn. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. Virginia Beach usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Virginia Beach gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Whistler receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Virginia Beach usually receives less rain than Whistler. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVirginia Beach 62°F (16°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Virginia Beach or Whistler in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Virginia Beach as well as Whistler. Many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the cuisine.
Whistler can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Virginia Beach. In the winter, Virginia Beach is around the same temperature as Whistler. Typically, the winter temperatures in Virginia Beach in January average around 39°F (4°C), and Whistler averages at about 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Virginia Beach often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Virginia Beach gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whistler. Virginia Beach usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVirginia Beach 39°F (4°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Virginia Beach or Whistler in the Spring?
Both Whistler and Virginia Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Virginia Beach is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Virginia Beach gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. In April, Virginia Beach usually receives less rain than Whistler. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVirginia Beach 58°F (14°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Virginia Beach
| Virginia Beach | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 49°F (10°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.7 inches (145 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (25°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 62°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (79 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.