A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zion National Park vs. Whistler for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zion National Park or Whistler?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Zion National Park 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: Zion National Park or Whistler?

Zion National Park

Grab your backpack, water bottle and protein bar and prepare yourself for the most humbling and awe-inspiring sights you'll likely ever see. Zion National Park in southern Utah is a favorite for hikers, backpackers and climbers around the world. With the red and white cliffs of Zion Canyon rising high over the Virgin River, meadows of wildflowers, hanging gardens and high plateaus, you'll be hard pressed to find more breathtaking views in the US.

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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Zion National Park?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Zion National Park is $119, 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 Zion National Park and Whistler in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zion National Park $60
    Whistler $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zion National Park $120
    Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in Zion National Park and Whistler

Looking for a hotel in Zion National Park 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.

Hotels in Zion National Park


Hotels in Whistler


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: Zion National Park Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zion National Park $30
    Whistler $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whistler

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Whistler:

  • Private Transfer from Whistler to Downtown Vancouver: $570
  • Private Transfer from Whistler to Richmond BC: $633
  • Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Whistler: $161

Is it cheaper to fly into Zion National Park or Whistler?

Prices for flights to both Whistler and Zion National Park 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
    Zion National Park $37
    Whistler $30

Typical Food Prices in Whistler

Some typical examples of dining costs in Whistler are as follows:


  • Coffee at Starbucks
    $12
  • Tim Hortons Breakfast
    $12
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zion National Park $26
    Whistler $78

Tours and Activities in Zion National Park

Here are a few actual costs in Zion National Park for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Discover Epic, Full-Day Audio Driving Tour: $8.99
  • Full-Day Grand Canyon North Rim Audio Driving Tour: $8.99
  • Zion National Park GPS-Guided Shuttling Tour: $17
  • East Zion Dark Sky Stargazing Tour: $19
  • East Zion East Rim Jeep Tour: $49
  • Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon Value Tour: $59
  • Campfire S'mores and Stars Tour in Kanab: $65
  • Zion Sunset Jeep Tour: $69
  • Virgin: Zion National Park Off-Road Vehicle Tour & Hike: $89
  • East Zion: Pink Sands Jeep Tour: $89
  • Award Winning UTV Slot Canyon Tour: $98
  • Peekaboo Slot Canyon UTV and Hiking Adventure: $99

Typical Entertainment Prices in Whistler

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Whistler are as follows:


  • Driving Range
    $15

Tours and Activities in Whistler

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Whistler are as follows:

  • Sea to Sky Highway: a Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $6.31
  • Audain Art Museum Admission Ticket: $16
  • One Hour Axe Throwing Guided Experience in Whistler: $33
  • Vallea Lumina Multimedia Experience: $35
  • The Great Whistler Walking Tour: Discover Whistler's Sights, History & Culture!: $49
  • Whistler Sightseeing Tour: Discover all of Whistler Year-Round!: $78
  • Guided Lunch Tour in Whistler: $88
  • Rock Climbing Beginner Experience: $94
  • Whistler Valley Tour by Seaplane: 20-Minute Flight: $102
  • Sky-Walk Mountain Climbing Tour: $102
  • Whistler Glacier Discovery Tour: $103
  • Guided eBike Adventure: $106

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zion National Park $8.28
    Whistler $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 Zion National Park and Whistler, we can see that Whistler 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 Zion National Park Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.