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

Should you visit Fairfield or Whistler?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fairfield and Whistler can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Fairfield or Whistler?

Fairfield

The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Fairfield and Whistler, we can see that Fairfield 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 Fairfield Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Fairfield or Whistler?

Fairfield has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield or Whistler in the Summer?

Both Whistler and Fairfield during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Whistler because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Fairfield is a little warmer than Whistler in the summer. The daily temperature in Fairfield averages around 73°F (23°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 Fairfield. In the summer, Fairfield often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Fairfield gets 439 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.

Fairfield usually gets less rain in July than Whistler. Fairfield gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Fairfield or Whistler in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Fairfield and Whistler. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Whistler this time of year.

In the autumn, Fairfield is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Fairfield in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Whistler averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fairfield usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Fairfield gets 300 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, Fairfield usually receives less rain than Whistler. Fairfield gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Fairfield or Whistler in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Fairfield as well as Whistler. Also, many travelers come to Whistler for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Whistler. In January, Fairfield is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Fairfield average around 46°F (8°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Fairfield often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Fairfield gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Whistler. Fairfield usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Fairfield gets 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Fairfield or Whistler in the Spring?

Both Whistler and Fairfield are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Whistler in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Fairfield is a little warmer than Whistler in the spring. The daily temperature in Fairfield averages around 56°F (13°C) in April, and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fairfield. Fairfield usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Fairfield gets 328 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, Fairfield usually receives less rain than Whistler. Fairfield gets 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Whistler and Fairfield