Which place is cheaper, Whistler or Hilton Head Island?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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 Hilton Head Island and Whistler can help you decide which place is right for you.
Hilton Head Island is a beautiful, resort-filled, and family-friendly coastal town. Hilton Head Island is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping. See Hilton Head Island travel costs.
Whistler is a charming, adventurous, and outdoorsy village. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, Whistler attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and skiing. See Whistler travel costs.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Whistler than Hilton Head Island, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Whistler is better known for its skiing, museums and attractions, nightlife, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Hilton Head Island is more popular for its beaches. Whistler is more touristy than Hilton Head Island and is popular for its world renowned skiing and snowboarding. Also, Whistler is famous for Cloudraker Skybridge. Hilton Head Island is well known for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Whistler and Hilton Head Island. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Whistler is terrific for skiing and snowboarding. However, Hilton Head Island is not a skiing destination.
Whistler is among the world's best ski destinations. Whistler is the largest ski resort in North America. It covers a vast area that includes two peaks - Whistler and Blackcomb. The slopes are connected by lifts and gondolas and there are options for every level, from beginner to expert.
Hilton Head Island is not a skiing destination.
Whistler is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.
While most people don't head to Whistler specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There is a local museum where you can learn about the areas culture and heritage.
Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.
Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Hilton Head Island and Whistler.
Hilton Head Island has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Whistler makes for a great culinary experience. There are many great restaurants and pubs that serve local dishes like Whistler herring, meatloaf, and Artic char fish. There are casual eateries as well as fine dining with upscale cuisine.
Whistler is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.
Whistler has a large number of nightlife venues. After a day on the slopes, you can enjoy the lively nightlife that includes après ski bars, nightclubs, and late night parties.
Things get quiet in the evenings in Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.
Luxury resorts are fairly comparable in Hilton Head Island and Whistler.
Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Hilton Head Island. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.
Whistler is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There's a large selection of resorts that you can choose from. Many have pools and hot tubs and range from romantic to family-friendly.
Hilton Head Island is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Whistler is not a beach destination.
You'll have a great beach vacation in Hilton Head Island. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.
Whistler is not a beach destination.
Whistler is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Hilton Head Island is not a hiking destination.
Many people visit Whistler specifically for its hiking. During the warmer seasons there are miles of hiking trails that take you through both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Many trails are accessible by gondola and you'll find great views and stunning vistas. Trails range from short family-friendly options to strenuous and adventurous routes.
Hilton Head Island is not a hiking destination.
Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Hilton Head Island and Whistler.
Hilton Head Island has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.
Whistler is a great destination for shopping. The village offers great shopping where you can pick up local items or any ski gear you may have forgotten.
Whistler is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.
With stunning beauty, Whistler attracts visitors from all around. The town sits in a valley that is surrounded by stunning mountains and impressive glaciers.
Hilton Head Island is a gorgeous place to visit. The island has many beautiful waterways that are best explored by boat or kayak. The beaches are also beautiful and striking.
You'll find terrific kid-friendly activities in either Hilton Head Island or Whistler.
Hilton Head Island is one of the most popular family destinations. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.
Whistler is an amazing family-friendly coastal town to visit. Kids will love the winter activities like skiing, dog sledding, and bobsledding. There's also an ice skating rink, climbing gym, and tons of kid-friendly restaurants.
Whistler is a very popular place for couples. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.
Whistler makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy an adventure will love the year-round outdoor sports. There are also romantic spas, fine dining, and scenic gondola rides.
Hilton Head Island is a nice destination for couples. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.
Whistler is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for backpackers.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Whistler. There are several hostels in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.
Hilton Head Island is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. This is a family-focused beach destination with almost no backpackers around.
Whistler is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.
Public transit is mostly limited in Whistler. There's a bus system that connects the town to other nearby neighborhoods.
Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.
Whistler is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.
Whistler is a very walkable destination. It's a compact town that's easy to explore on foot.
Hilton Head Island is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.
For even more information, also check out Is Hilton Head Island Worth Visiting? and Is Whistler Worth Visiting?.
In either Hilton Head Island or Whistler, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Hilton Head Island than Whistler because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Hilton Head Island, and 3-5 days is enough time in Whistler.
Families should spend more time in Whistler than Hilton Head Island. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Whistler, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Whistler than Hilton Head Island. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Whistler that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Whistler than Hilton Head Island if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Whistler.
The coastal town of Hilton Head Island offers shopping and food. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Visitors enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Whistler. This village offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Hilton Head Island is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Whistler is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the adventurous village of Whistler. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.
Hilton Head Island is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hilton Head Island, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Whistler. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Whistler has to offer.
Hilton Head Island is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hilton Head Island has to offer. This coastal town offers something for everyone.
Whistler is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.
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 Hilton Head Island is $287, while the average daily cost in Whistler is $146. 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 Hilton Head Island and Whistler in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Hilton Head Island 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.
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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Whistler:
Prices for flights to both Whistler and Hilton Head Island 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.
For Hilton Head Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Whistler are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Whistler.
For Hilton Head Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Whistler are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Whistler are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Hilton Head Island:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hilton Head Island and Whistler, we can see that Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Hilton Head Island has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Hilton Head Island 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Hilton Head Island as well as Whistler. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Whistler for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Hilton Head Island is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hilton Head Island in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Whistler averages at about 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 Hilton Head Island this time of the year. In the summer, Hilton Head Island often gets less sunshine than Whistler. Hilton Head Island gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.
Hilton Head Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Hilton Head Island gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Whistler and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. 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.
In October, Hilton Head Island is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 68°F (20°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head Island usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Hilton Head Island gets 223 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. In October, Hilton Head Island usually receives less rain than Whistler. Hilton Head Island gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Whistler and Hilton Head Island during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, 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. Hilton Head Island is much warmer than Whistler in the winter. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 48°F (9°C) in January, and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Hilton Head Island often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Hilton Head Island gets 176 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. Hilton Head Island usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilton Head Island and Whistler. Most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Whistler because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Hilton Head Island is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hilton Head Island in April average around 67°F (19°C), and Whistler averages at about 9°C (49°F).
In Hilton Head Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hilton Head Island usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Hilton Head Island gets 275 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, Hilton Head Island usually receives less rain than Whistler. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Hilton Head Island | Whistler | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 48°F (9°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
Feb | 52°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
Mar | 58°F (15°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
Apr | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
May | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 7.9 inches (200 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (164 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
Sep | 77°F (25°C) | 5.6 inches (141 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
Oct | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
Nov | 59°F (15°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
Dec | 52°F (11°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |