A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wisconsin Dells vs. Winnipeg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Wisconsin Dells or Winnipeg?

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

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Winnipeg? 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: Wisconsin Dells or Winnipeg?

Wisconsin Dells

Located in central Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells offers natural beauty, fun rivers, and some of the area's most famous theme parks. Wisconsin Dells is one of the two towns that make up "The Dells." The other town, Lake Delton, is another popular Midwestern tourist spot.

Wisconsin Dells is about an hour north of Madison and two hours from Milwaukee. It's famous for its striking rock formations and scenic bluffs. The town's name comes from the Dells of the Wisconsin River, which is an impressive gorge that was originally formed by a glacier.

Winnipeg

Winnipeg is the capital of the Canadian province of Manitoba. Its heart is The Forks, a historic site at the intersection of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, with warehouses converted to shops and restaurants, plus ample green space dedicated to festivals, concerts and exhibits. Nearby, the Exchange District is known for its well-preserved, early 20th-century architecture and numerous art galleries. Rising above the prairie, Winnipeg is a metropolis where you least expect it. Cultured, confident and captivating, it’s more than just a pit stop on the Trans-Canada haul, but a destination in its own right, with a couple of world-class museums and a wonderfully diverse dining scene.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Winnipeg or Wisconsin Dells?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Wisconsin Dells is $142, while the average daily cost in Winnipeg is $251. 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 Wisconsin Dells and Winnipeg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Wisconsin Dells $70
    Winnipeg $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Wisconsin Dells $140
    Winnipeg $184
Compare Hotels in Wisconsin Dells and Winnipeg

Looking for a hotel in Wisconsin Dells or Winnipeg? 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.

Hotels in Wisconsin Dells


Hotels in Winnipeg


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: Wisconsin Dells Hotel Prices and Winnipeg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Wisconsin Dells $35
    Winnipeg -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Winnipeg

Also for Winnipeg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Winnipeg Airport (YWG) to Winnipeg Hotels: $61
  • Private Transfer from Winnipeg Airport to Winnipeg Accommodation : $37
  • Private Transfer from Winnipeg Hotels to Winnipeg Airport: $61
  • Winnipeg Airport (YWG) to Winnipeg accomodation - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
  • Winnipeg Airport (YWG) to Winnipeg accomodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $122
  • Winnipeg One way Private transfer from/to the Airport: $200
  • Winnipeg accomodation to Winnipeg Airport (YWG) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
  • Arrivals Private Transfer from Richardson Airport: $141

Is it cheaper to fly into Wisconsin Dells or Winnipeg?

Prices for flights to both Winnipeg and Wisconsin Dells 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Wisconsin Dells $43
    Winnipeg $5.40

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Wisconsin Dells $46
    Winnipeg $2.52

Tours and Activities in Wisconsin Dells

Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • City and History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $24
  • Haunted Downtown Tour of Baraboo: $16
  • Haunted History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $25

Tours and Activities in Winnipeg

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Winnipeg.

  • Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Ghost Tour: $5.11
  • Assiniboine Park Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
  • Wealthy Beginnings Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • Winnipeg in the Limelight: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • The Forks Self-Guided Smartphone Tour with Audio: $5.11
  • Manitoba Legislative Grounds Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • The Forks Historic Site: a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.23
  • Manitoba Legislative Grounds: a Smartphone Audio Tour & Trivia Challenge: $5.23
  • Winnipeg in the Limelight: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.23
  • Discover Assiniboine Park with a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.23
  • Winnipeg's Wealthy Beginnings: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.23
  • Winnipeg's Most Haunted: a Smartphone Audio Ghost Tour: $5.23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Wisconsin Dells $9.14
    Winnipeg -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wisconsin Dells and Winnipeg, we can see that Winnipeg is more expensive. And not only is Wisconsin Dells much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wisconsin Dells would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wisconsin Dells 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 Winnipeg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Winnipeg than you might in Wisconsin Dells.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wisconsin Dells Expensive? and Is Winnipeg Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Wisconsin Dells or Winnipeg?

Winnipeg has a larger population, and is about 260 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Wisconsin Dells and Winnipeg, 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 Wisconsin Dells or Winnipeg?

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 Wisconsin Dells or Winnipeg in the Summer?

Both Winnipeg and Wisconsin Dells during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Wisconsin Dells in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Wisconsin Dells is around the same temperature as Winnipeg in the summer. The daily temperature in Wisconsin Dells averages around 74°F (24°C) in July, and Winnipeg fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

In Winnipeg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wisconsin Dells. In the summer, Wisconsin Dells often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winnipeg. Wisconsin Dells gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winnipeg receives 328 hours of full sun.

Wisconsin Dells usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Winnipeg. Wisconsin Dells gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Wisconsin Dells 74°F (24°C) 
    Winnipeg 21°C (71°F)

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Winnipeg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wisconsin Dells and Winnipeg. Most visitors come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Wisconsin Dells is much warmer than Winnipeg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wisconsin Dells in October average around 52°F (11°C), and Winnipeg averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Wisconsin Dells usually receives more sunshine than Winnipeg during autumn. Wisconsin Dells gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Winnipeg receives 147 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Wisconsin Dells usually receives more rain than Winnipeg. Wisconsin Dells gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Wisconsin Dells 52°F (11°C) 
    Winnipeg 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Winnipeg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wisconsin Dells as well as Winnipeg. The winter months attract visitors to Wisconsin Dells because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Winnipeg in the winter. The weather in Wisconsin Dells can be very cold. In January, Wisconsin Dells is generally much warmer than Winnipeg. Daily temperatures in Wisconsin Dells average around 19°F (-7°C), and Winnipeg fluctuates around -17°C (2°F).

In the winter, Wisconsin Dells often gets more sunshine than Winnipeg. Wisconsin Dells gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winnipeg receives 115 hours of full sun.

Wisconsin Dells usually gets more rain in January than Winnipeg. Wisconsin Dells gets 1 inches (25 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Wisconsin Dells 19°F (-7°C) 
    Winnipeg -17°C (2°F)

Should I visit Wisconsin Dells or Winnipeg in the Spring?

Both Winnipeg and Wisconsin Dells are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Wisconsin Dells is much warmer than Winnipeg in the spring. The daily temperature in Wisconsin Dells averages around 49°F (10°C) in April, and Winnipeg fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

It's quite sunny in Winnipeg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wisconsin Dells. Wisconsin Dells usually receives less sunshine than Winnipeg during spring. Wisconsin Dells gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Winnipeg receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Wisconsin Dells usually receives more rain than Winnipeg. Wisconsin Dells gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Wisconsin Dells 49°F (10°C) 
    Winnipeg 5°C (42°F)

Typical Weather for Winnipeg and Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells Winnipeg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 19°F (-7°C) 1 inches (25 mm) -17°C (2°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 24°F (-5°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm) -14°C (8°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 36°F (2°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) -6°C (22°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Apr 49°F (10°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 5°C (42°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 60°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 13°C (56°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 70°F (21°C) 3 inches (76 mm) 19°C (65°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 74°F (24°C) 3 inches (76 mm) 21°C (71°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 72°F (22°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 20°C (68°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Sep 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm) 14°C (57°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Oct 52°F (11°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 7°C (45°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 39°F (4°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) -3°C (26°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Dec 25°F (-4°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm) -13°C (9°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)


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