Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Wilmington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Wilmington or Whistler?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington 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: Wilmington or Whistler?
Wilmington
Wilmington is a port city in southeastern North Carolina. It's a great city to visit for it's nearby beaches, large historic district, and quaint atmosphere. The city has a population of about 115,000 and it's the eighth largest city in the state.
Wilmington is also home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as well as the EUE Screen Gems Studios. This is the largest domestic television and movie production facility outside of California. The studio, which opened in 1984, helped grow Wilmington into a major base for film and television production. The city has been the backdrop for many movies and tv shows including Iron Man 3, Sleepy Hollow, One Tree Hill, and Revolution.
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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to 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 dayWilmington $204Whistler $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Wilmington is $204, 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 Wilmington and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWilmington $120Whistler $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWilmington $240Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Wilmington and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in Wilmington 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: Wilmington Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wilmington $47Whistler $20
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 Wilmington or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Wilmington 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 dayWilmington $56Whistler $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.Wilmington $17Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in Wilmington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Wilmington.
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
- Wilmington Pirate Walking Tour: $20
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Wilmington by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Eagles Island 50 minute Narrated Boat Cruise: $21
- History and Architecture Walking Tour : $25
- Wilmington History and Architecture Tour: $25
- Ghosts of the Port City Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- Craft Beer and History Crawl Shared Experience in Wilmington: $30
- Wilmington Ghosts: Phantoms of Pirates and Patriots Tour: $33
- Black Water Adventure Cruise: $33
- Trolley Pub Public Tour: $49
- Island Hopper Cruise in Wrightsville Beach: $50
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 dayWilmington $39Whistler $8.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Wilmington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Wilmington:
- 2-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Bar Crawl: $55
- 2-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Bar Crawl: $55
Sample the Local Flavors in Whistler
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Whistler:
- Whistler Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience: $66
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wilmington and Whistler, we can see that Wilmington 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 Wilmington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wilmington 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 Wilmington Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Whistler?
Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington or Whistler in the Summer?
Both Whistler and Wilmington during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Wilmington is much warmer than Whistler in the summer. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Whistler, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wilmington. In the summer, Wilmington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler. Wilmington gets 283 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 Wilmington. Wilmington usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 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 JulyWilmington 81°F (27°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Wilmington or Whistler in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Whistler. The shopping scene are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.
In the autumn, Wilmington is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wilmington in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Whistler averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Wilmington gets 227 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, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Whistler. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 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 OctoberWilmington 65°F (18°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Wilmington or Whistler in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Whistler. Many travelers come to Wilmington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Whistler can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Wilmington is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 45°F (7°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Wilmington often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whistler. Wilmington usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 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 JanuaryWilmington 45°F (7°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Wilmington or Whistler in the Spring?
Both Whistler and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the spring for the beaches.
Wilmington is much warmer than Whistler in the spring. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Wilmington gets 278 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, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Whistler. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 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 AprilWilmington 63°F (17°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and Wilmington
| Wilmington | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 47°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 55°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 63°F (17°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 6 inches (152 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 8.1 inches (207 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 80°F (27°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 65°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 56°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 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.