A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Duck Key vs. Whistler for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Duck Key or Whistler?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Duck Key and Whistler can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Duck Key or Whistler?

Duck Key

If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.

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 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck Key and Whistler, we can see that Duck Key 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 Duck Key would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Duck Key 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 Duck Key Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Duck Key or Whistler?

Whistler has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Duck Key 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 Duck Key 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 Duck Key or Whistler in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Duck Key as well as Whistler. Also, many travelers come to Whistler for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Duck Key is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whistler. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In the summer, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Duck Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.

Duck Key usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Duck Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Duck Key or Whistler in the Autumn?

Both Whistler and Duck Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Whistler in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Duck Key is much warmer than Whistler in the autumn. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. Duck Key usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Duck Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. It's quite rainy in Duck Key. In October, Duck Key usually receives less rain than Whistler. Duck Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Duck Key or Whistler in the Winter?

Both Whistler and Duck Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Whistler for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Whistler can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Duck Key is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the winter temperatures in Duck Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Whistler averages at about 4°C (40°F).

It's quite sunny in Duck Key. In the winter, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Duck Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.

Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Duck Key usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Duck Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Duck Key or Whistler in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck Key and Whistler. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Whistler because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Duck Key is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In Duck Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck Key usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Duck Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Whistler receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Duck Key usually receives less rain than Whistler. Duck Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Whistler and Duck Key