Whistler travel guide
Whistler Tourism | Whistler Guide
You're Going to Love Whistler
With a population of 10.600, Whistler is a must-see destination in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 8 days in order to fully appreciate everything Whistler has to offer.
Where to Eat in Whistler
Whistler Village North is the neighbourhood with the most restaurants in Whistler. These include popular favourites such as Hy's Steakhouse Whistler (4308 Main Street), The Brickworks (4308 Main St Unit 20) and Alta Bistro (104 - 4319 Main St). If you’re looking for affordable options, Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Bar (110 - 4222 Village Square) and 21 Steps Kitchen + Bar (10 - 4433 Sundial Place) are great picks.
When to visit Whistler
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Whistler in August, when the average temperature is 17 °C, and the highest can go up to 24 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is December, when it can get as cold as -5 °C, with an average temperature of -3 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in November, when precipitation is around 192 mm. In contrast, July is usually the driest month of the year in Whistler, with an average rainfall of 45 mm.
How to Get to Whistler
Plane
Although Whistler doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Vancouver Coal Harbour (CXH), which is located 92 km from Whistler.
Train
Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Whistler, followed by VIA Rail Canada. The train journey from Whistler to Bellingham takes 1h 53m and costs around $48 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Seattle, expect to pay about $51 for a 4h 00m trip. The train station in Whistler is called Whistler Village, and is located 4 km from the city centre.
Car
Another option to get to Whistler is to pick up a car hire from Vancouver, which is about 93 km from Whistler. You’ll find branches of Thrifty and Dollar, among others, in Vancouver.
Bus
Several bus lines operate bus routes to Whistler, including Amtrak, Rider Express and BC Ferries Connector. From Abbotsford, the bus ride to Whistler takes 113 km and will cost you around $83. From Seattle, the ticket costs about $151 for a journey of 266 km. Whistler’s bus station is located 0.6 km from the city centre.
Airlines serving Whistler
Where to stay in Whistler
From 5-star hotels such as the Four Seasons Resort Whistler to great affordable options like the Whistler Cascade Lodge, Whistler offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $215 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $422 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include The Marquise and Hi Whistler - Hostel. There are also lots of holiday rental options in Whistler, with prices from $15 to $3,617 per night. Whistler Village North is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Whistler are about 42% cheaper than a hotel room in the city.
Where to stay in popular areas of Whistler
Most booked hotels in Whistler
Hiring a car in Whistler
Hiring a car in Whistler costs $81 per day, on average, or $648 if you want to hire it for 8 days.
You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 1% more expensive than at Vancouver Intl.
Expect to pay $2.17 per litre in Whistler (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $25.96 and $34.61. Intermediate (Ford Escape or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Whistler, while also 24% cheaper than other types, on average.