Should you visit Alaska or Ontario?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Alaska or Ontario? 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: Alaska or Ontario?
Alaska
Alaska joined the United States of America as the 49th state. The US purchased the area from the Russian Empire in 1867 for just 7.2 million dollars (about two cents an acre). It became an organized territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It is separated from the rest of the country by Canada and, although it is the largest state, it is the least densely populated and for many years had the lowest population. It covers an area equal to California, Texas and Montana combined and lies on the Arctic Circle. Many people consider Alaska to be the United State's "final frontier" because of its vast wilderness. It is also where you will find the highest point in North America.
Ontario
Chances are when you think of Canada, the things that come to mind are all located in the province of Ontario. Ontario has the highest population of any province in the country, and is the heart of Canadian tourism. As the home of Toronto, Niagara Falls and Lake Superior, this area is a major tourist destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.
Which place is cheaper, Ontario or Alaska?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Alaska is $280, while the average daily cost in Ontario is $14,222. 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 Alaska and Ontario in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Alaska $135
Ontario $7,722
-
Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Alaska
$270
Ontario
$
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14
Looking for a hotel in Alaska or Ontario? 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.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
-
Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage :
$299
-
Private Transfer, Anchorage to Seward Cruise Ship Terminal:
$299
-
Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal:
$299
-
Private Transfer, Whittier Cruise ship to Anchorage:
$299
-
Seward to Anchorage Scenic Transfer Photo Tour:
$295
-
Seward to Anchorage transfer with National Park hike and AWCC:
$249
-
Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer:
$227
-
Anchorage to Seward- Pre-Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer:
$227
-
Whittier to Anchorage Land Transfer Tour With AWCC:
$199
-
Private Transfer Alaska Anchorage Airport ANC to Anchorage City:
$180
-
Seward to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour:
$79
-
Whittier to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour:
$77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ontario
Also for Ontario, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer Toronto Hotels to Toronto Pearson Airport YYZ:
$39
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW:
$40
-
Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto hotel/address -Arrival Private Transfer:
$41
-
Ottawa Airport YOW Private Transfer to Ottawa/University/Chelsea:
$42
-
Private Transfer Toronto Pearson Airport To Toronto Hotels/Airbnb:
$42
-
Private Transfer from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto:
$43
-
Private Transfer from Toronto City to Toronto Airport (YYZ):
$43
-
Private Arrival Transfer in Ottawa Airport :
$51
-
Transfer from Pearson Airport(YYZ) to Toronto City Center:
$53
-
Transfer from Toronto City Center to Pearson Airport(YYZ):
$53
-
Private Transfer from Ottawa Airport (YOW) to Ottawa City:
$56
-
Toronto Airport YYZ Roundtrip Transfer to Toronto (Special Offer):
$58
Is it cheaper to fly into Alaska or Ontario?
Prices for flights to both Ontario and Alaska 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
Alaska $94
Ontario $4,568
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
-
Aurora Viewing and Dinner :
$120
-
Alaskan Salmon Cooking Class & Dining Experience:
$179
-
City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour - Winter & Summer:
$195
-
"Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour:
$239
-
Electric Moose Studios Aurora Adventure W/Portraits & Hot Pizza!!:
$270
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ontario
For Ontario, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Great White North Toronto Food Tour:
$55
-
Toronto Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour:
$65
-
Downtown London Walking Food Tour:
$65
-
Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour:
$66
-
Toronto: St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings:
$71
-
Toronto's First Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market:
$73
-
Must-Do Toronto Food Tour by Toronto's First Food Tour Company:
$73
-
Ottawa Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours:
$76
-
Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical :
$77
-
French Bistro Cooking Class in Toronto (Includes 3-Course Meal):
$80
-
Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Journey, Dinner & Fireworks:
$81
-
Walking Food Tour with Professional Comedian Guide:
$88
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
-
PREMIUM Sitka Scenic Tour:
$110
-
Spenard Neighborhood FOOD & TRUE CRIME Walking Tour:
$150
-
Whittier to Anchorage Half Day Transit Tour From the Port:
$199
-
Whittier to Anchorage Post Cruise Wildlife Glacier Tour:
$197
-
“OVER THE TOP TOURS” city highlights, wildlife and more!:
$100
-
1 Day Shared Tour Arctic Circle and Aurora Viewing in Alaska:
$150
-
1 Hour Fall Sled Dog Experience in Two Rivers:
$130
-
1 Hour Snowmobile Adventure in Boreal Forest:
$159
-
1-hr. Dog Sledding Tour in Fairbanks (without transportation):
$170
-
1.5-Hour Beer and Puppies Guided Experience in Fairbanks:
$58
-
2 Hour Alaska Rainforest Walk and Totem Park Small Group Tour:
$95
-
2 Hour Custom Wildlife and Historical Tour:
$100
Tours and Activities in Ontario
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ontario.
-
Old Town Toronto Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based :
$4.00
-
Graffiti in Toronto Walking Tour:
$4.40
-
Downtown Toronto Walking Tour:
$4.40
-
Old Town Toronto History Walking Tour:
$4.44
-
Ottawa City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based :
$5.00
-
Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Bracebridge & Toronto:
$6.59
-
Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Collingwood and Toronto:
$6.60
-
Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Huntsville & Toronto:
$6.60
-
Rockcliffe Ottawa: Exploration Game and Tour:
$7.16
-
Street Art Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour in Ottawa:
$7.16
-
Toronto Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour:
$7.70
-
Ottawa Downtown Historic Smartphone Guided Walking Tour:
$7.75
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Haunted Pub Crawl :
$75
-
Walking Pub Crawl in Downtown Juneau:
$115
-
Distillery Tour and Signature Bottle Infusion Experience:
$149
-
Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour!:
$159
-
Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings:
$179
Sample the Local Flavors in Ontario
Also in Ontario, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Toronto Distillery District: Whisky Exploration Game and Tour:
$7.16
-
Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam:
$12
-
Take On Toronto Bar Crawl:
$15
-
Between The Lines Classic Wine Tasting:
$18
-
Toronto Distillery District Walking Tour:
$21
-
Summer Sips - Private Outdoor Wine Tasting Experience:
$22
-
Black Glass Wine Tasting:
$23
-
Niagara's Decadent Sparkling and Icewine Tasting:
$23
-
Illuminarium Toronto in the Distillery District:
$26
-
Corktown and Distillery District Tour:
$29
-
30-Minute Distillery District Segway Tour:
$36
-
Toronto Distillery & Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide:
$42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alaska and Ontario, we can see that Ontario is more expensive. And not only is Alaska much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alaska would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alaska 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 Ontario would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ontario than you might in Alaska.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alaska Expensive? and Is Ontario Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Alaska or Ontario?
Ontario has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of Alaska and Ontario, 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.
Related Articles for Alaska
Related Articles for Ontario