Which place is cheaper, Whistler or North Conway?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit North Conway or Whistler?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit North Conway or Whistler? 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: North Conway or Whistler?
North Conway
North Conway is a small town in New Hampshire in the Mount Washington Valley (MWV). The entire valley is a popular vacation area year-round due to the multiple ski resorts and summer activities including amusement parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more.
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 Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.
-
North Conway Prices
USA PricesWhistler Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNorth Conway $270Whistler $146
The average daily cost (per person) in North Conway is $270, 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 North Conway and Whistler in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNorth Conway $125Whistler $65
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNorth Conway $250Whistler $130
Compare Hotels in North Conway and Whistler
Looking for a hotel in North Conway 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: North Conway Hotel Prices and Whistler Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.North Conway $52Whistler $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in North Conway
Also for North Conway, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $100
- Pittsburgh City to Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) - Departure Private Transfer: $100
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $200
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whistler
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Whistler:
- Private Transfer from Richmond BC to Whistler: $684
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Downtown Vancouver: $560
- Vancouver Airport Private Transfer to Whistler: $133
Is it cheaper to fly into North Conway or Whistler?
Prices for flights to both Whistler and North Conway 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 dayNorth Conway $110Whistler $52
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: $121
- Finer Things Dinner Tour in Whistler: $155
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.North Conway $38Whistler $78
Tours and Activities in North Conway
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for North Conway.
- Kancamagus highway GPS Smartphone Audio Driving Tour App : $9.50
- Kancamagus Scenic Byway Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour Guide: $15
- Meet the Cider Makers with Rhythm Cidery Lincoln Tour: $40
- Meet the Winemakers - Seven Birches Winery Tour: $40
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:
- 2 Hour Late Afternoon Winter Zipline Adventure: $124
- 2 Hour Wilderness Adventure Snowmobile Tour in Whistler: $199
- Audain Art Museum Admission Ticket: $17
- Bear Safari 4x4 Adventure: $147
- Call of the Wild ATV Tour: $162
- Family Snowmobile Tour in Whistler: $199
- From Vancouver: Shannon Falls and Whistler Sightseeing Tour: $179
- Full Day Ice Fishing Tour: $249
- Guided Fishing Adventure in Whistler: $163
- Ice Fishing Adventure in Whistler: $163
- Mountain Breeze Tour - Mountain E Bike - Whistler Marmot Activity: $104
- One Hour Axe Throwing Guided Experience in Whistler: $33
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNorth Conway $33Whistler $8.72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between North Conway and Whistler, we can see that North Conway 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 North Conway would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in North Conway 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 North Conway Expensive? and Is Whistler Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, North Conway or Whistler?
Whistler has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of North Conway 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 North Conway 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 North Conway or Whistler in the Summer?
Both Whistler and North Conway during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Whistler in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, North Conway is generally a little warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in North Conway average around 69°F (20°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Whistler, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in North Conway. In the summer, North Conway often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler. North Conway gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.
North Conway usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. North Conway gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyNorth Conway 69°F (20°C)Whistler 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit North Conway or Whistler in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both North Conway and Whistler. Furthermore, most visitors come to Whistler for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
North Conway is cooler than Whistler in the autumn. The daily temperature in North Conway averages around 49°F (9°C) in October, and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
North Conway usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. North Conway gets 196 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, North Conway usually receives less rain than Whistler. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNorth Conway 49°F (9°C)Whistler 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit North Conway or Whistler in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to North Conway as well as Whistler. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Whistler because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Whistler can be very cold. North Conway can be very cold during winter. In the winter, North Conway is much colder than Whistler. Typically, the winter temperatures in North Conway in January average around 21°F (-6°C), and Whistler averages at about 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, North Conway often gets more sunshine than Whistler. North Conway gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whistler. North Conway usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. North Conway gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNorth Conway 21°F (-6°C)Whistler 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit North Conway or Whistler in the Spring?
Both Whistler and North Conway are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Whistler this time of year.
In April, North Conway is generally much colder than Whistler. Daily temperatures in North Conway average around 43°F (6°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in North Conway. North Conway usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. North Conway gets 212 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, North Conway usually receives less rain than Whistler. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilNorth Conway 43°F (6°C)Whistler 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Whistler and North Conway
| North Conway | Whistler | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°F (-6°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 33°F (1°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 63°F (17°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 69°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 49°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 39°F (4°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.