If you’re begging for a quick mountain escape, there are tons of Whistler tours from Vancouver available.
That said, with these two tourist behemoths, the menu is sadly more quantity over quality.
That’s why I’ve set out to list the best Vancouver to Whistler tours so you can enjoy them hassle-free.
Let’s take a look!
The Top Vancouver to Whistler Tours
If you’re reading this, it’s clear you’re looking for a quick way to tour Whistler from Vancouver.
With this in mind, I’m going to assume you’re also probably looking for:
- A great price-quality ratio to keep things affordable
- Convenient departure points near downtown Vancouver hotels
- The ability to see stunning alpine scenery and famous Whistler landmarks
- Unique local wildlife and popular attractions tossed in for good measure
- Quick-book smartphone tickets with free cancellation for the utmost flexibility
Using these criteria, I’ve narrowed down the list to what I consider to be the top five Vancouver to Whistler tours currently on offer.
Let’s take a look!
Related: Best Whistler Restaurants
Small Group Day Trip to Whistler
Departure Point: Sandman Hotel (downtown) | Length: 10.5 hours | Cost: From $217.30 CAD
The best Vancouver to Whistler day tour includes everything you could ever ask for in a mountain getaway.
Along the way, you’ll even have the chance to explore the third tallest waterfall in BC, learn First Nations Culture at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center, and have ample time in Whistler Village.
Also included in your tickets is the Sea to Sky Gondola.
You can also add on an array of seasonal activities. Best of all, unlike our next tour (which is slightly cheaper) here you get a small group tour for more intimacy.
Each Whistler Small Group Tour from Vancouver includes:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off (by request)
- Guided bus tour
- Sea to Sky Gondola
- Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center
- 3 hours in Whistler Village
- Incredible mountain and oceanic scenery along the Sea to Sky Highway
Whistler Day Trip from Vancouver With Sea to Sky Gondola
Departure Point: Canada Place | Length: 12 hours | Cost: From $199.00 CAD
This Vancouver to Whistler tour package is similar to the tour above – with one key difference.
After your stop in Shannon Falls, the cultural experience in Squamish will be replaced by a journey up the iconic Sea to Sky Gondola.
At this 885-metre-high Swiss-style gondola, you’ll have 90 minutes to take in breathtaking views of the Coast Mountains, the local rainforest, and Howe Sound.
Considered a world-class attraction in its own right, the gondola tour is best for those looking to experience the region’s supernatural beauty.
From there, you’ll jump back on the bus to Whistler Village – where you get a few hours to explore on your own.
Each Whistler & Sea to Sky Gondola tour includes:
- Hotel pick-up (by request)
- Guided bus tour
- A stop at Shannon Falls Provincial Park
- 1.5 hours at the top of Habrich Ridge, with sweeping views of the Howe Sound
- A ride up the famous Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish
- 3 hours to explore Whistler Village
- Incredible mountain and oceanic scenery along the Sea to Sky Highway
For Whistler and Sea to Sky Gondola tour reviews and the lowest price online, click the orange button below.
Vancouver to Whistler Day Trip by Seaplane
Departure Point: Coal Harbour | Length: 9 hours | Cost: From $498.65 CAD
If you’re looking for a Vancouver to Whistler day trip that truly maximizes your time, then here it is.
In fact, this is the only tour from Vancouver to Whistler that guarantees a full day of sightseeing.
The package includes a round-trip seaplane flight from Vancouver to Whistler. These 35-minute scenic flights are popular attractions in their own right.
Along the way, you’ll get spectacular sights of downtown Vancouver, the Coast Mountains and Howe Sound.
You’ll then soar high above the area’s sparkling waters, lush alpine meadows and rugged peaks – en route to Whistler for a full day of exploring.
Each Whistler seaplane day trip tour includes:
- Round-trip 35-minute seaplane flights between Vancouver and Whistler
- Spectacular aerial views
- A full day to explore Whistler Village at your leisure
- Complimentary shuttle to and from Whistler Village or optional bike rental
- Option to cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours before departure
Whistler Tour from Vancouver via Biking Trails + Village
Departure Point: Your DT Hotel | Length: 9 hours | Cost: From $295.00 CAD
This Vancouver to Whistler day trip package allows visitors to take full advantage of this backcountry paradise.
It also dispels the notion that Vancouver to Whistler tour packagers are solely for the aged cruise-ship crowd.
In this guided trail tour, you’ll bike or hike across paved trails and boardwalks in the Whistler area – before stopping for a snack in front of the beautiful mountain vistas at a lakeside campground.
Then, you get a few hours to explore the sights and sounds of Whistler Village – before being shuttled back to your Vancouver hotel.
Delivered straight to nature, made simple.
Each Whistler trail and village tour includes:
- Whistler trip from Vancouver (transport to Whistler from your Vancouver hotel)
- A guided tour of Whistler’s trails and lakes
- Bike/e-bike rental included
- Time to explore Whistler Village
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Related: Best Hostels in Whistler
Full Day Whistler Private Tour from Vancouver
Departure Point: DT Hotels/Cruise terminal | Length: 10 hours | Cost: From $675.00 pp CAD
If you’re looking for the ultimate in comfort, luxury and flexibility, then you should look no further.
The full-day Whistler private tour from Vancouver offers pickup/drop off from your departure point of choice – before taking you along the Sea to Sky Corridor on an itinerary of your choosing, including:
- Shannon Falls Provincial Park
- The Britannia Mine Museum
- Brandywine Falls Provincial Park
- The Sea to Sky Gondola
- Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre
Once you arrive there, you’ll have around 4 hours to explore Whistler at your own pace.
Remember, this is a private tour – so the driver is at your service. Since you’re booking the van itself, if you’ve got up to six passengers, it actually comes in at $225.00 per person, so there’s value here.
Travelling in more than six? It’s possible, but you’ll have to pay extra per person as it requires a bigger vehicle.
This is one of my favourite Whistler winter activities.
Each Full Day Whistler Private Tour includes:
- Luxurious transportation between Vancouver and Whistler
- Customized hotel/cruise port drop off/pick up
- Personal driver/guide
- Live commentary
- Private tour
- Option to formulate a customized itinerary
- Time to explore Whistler Village at your leisure
- Option to reserve now pay later
- Cancellation up to 24 hours prior to departure
Whistler Day Tour from Vancouver with Shannon Falls
Departure Point: Sandman Hotel | Length: 10.5 hours | Cost: From $199.99 CAD
When you take these tours from Vancouver to Whistler, you get to embrace every facet of the true West Coast lifestyle.
The 10.5-hour adventure along the Sea to Sky corridor from Vancouver to Whistler includes a pass-through of Stanley Park, a drive over the Lions Gate Bridge, and a ride along one of the world’s most scenic highways.
Your first stop is at beautiful Shannon Falls Provincial Park – where you’ll feel the sheer power of the glacial water pouring off the mountainside.
After returning to your shuttle, you’ll continue on past the world’s second-largest granite monolith, affectionately dubbed The Chief – to the charming mountain town of Squamish.
Here you’ll break for a quick snack and an immersive cultural experience at the Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre.
Then it’s on to the pièce de résistance: Whistler Village.
Here, you can book one of Whistler’s top things to do, do some shopping, or stroll the streets of this charming alpine resort.
Each Whistler & Shannon Falls tour includes:
- Round-trip transportation between Vancouver and Whistler
- A stop at Shannon Falls Provincial Park
- Admission to Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre
- Admission to Squamish Adventure Centre
- Free time in Whistler Village
- Hotel drop-off
- Possibility to reschedule up to 48 hours before
Related: Best Hotels in Whistler
Are Vancouver to Whistler Day Tours Worth It?
Not every traveller has $200.00 to head up the Sea to Sky Highway for a 10-hour tour or even more for a private tour from Vancouver to Whistler.
If these prices seem a little high, you may want to consider the Vancouver to Whistler bus then doing things on your own.
This provides a shuttle service from downtown or Vancouver airport to Whistler in as little as 90 minutes.
That said, you won’t be able to visit destinations like Shannon Falls, the Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre, and the Sea to Sky Gondola along the way.
If these things are important, and you value some structure and some guidance along the way, then guided tours of Whistler from Vancouver are something to seriously consider.
Vancouver to Whistler Tours FAQ
How much do Whistler tours from Vancouver cost?
The basic Whistler & Shannon Falls, Whistler & Sea to Sky Gondola and Whistler trail and village tours start at around $150-215 CAD. From there, the prices can rise exponentially for Whistler floatplane tours ($473.27) and private tours ($675.00).
What are the best Whistler tours from Vancouver?
The best Vancouver Whistler tours for most travellers are the Whistler & Shannon Falls day tour and the Whistler & Sea to Sky Gondola tours.
The former offers more of a cultural experience with a visit to the Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre, while the latter is catered to those more interested in the area’s natural beauty.
However, both options are reasonably affordable and provide some flexibility once you arrive in Whistler Village.
Having said that, if you’re willing to spend a bit more, the Whistler Seaplane Tour and Whistler Private Tour will obviously offer the highest degree of time, flexibility and freedom.
This will allow you to explore more of the region’s unparalleled natural beauty and outdoor activities or engage in additional Whistler day tours.
What will I see on my Whistler tour from Vancouver?
While each 1-day tour from Vancouver to Whistler differs slightly according to its focus, you’re guaranteed to encounter stunning oceanic and mountain scenery along the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler.
From there you may stop at destinations like the Shannon Falls Provincial Park, Squamish or Sea to Sky Gondola to further hammer home the region’s cultural significance and natural beauty.
In most instances, you’ll then be provided with a few hours of free time to do as you please upon arrival in Whistler. You can engage in outdoor activities, check out the local dining scene or take in a quick tour – it’s entirely up to you.
What do I need to bring with me on my Vancouver to Whistler Tour?
Firstly, for Vancouver day tours to Whistler, I’d recommend bringing weather-suitable clothing.
Remember that there can be significant divergences in temperature between Vancouver and Whistler. During the winter, it is obviously much cooler at altitude – with a higher probability of snowfall.
Surprisingly, in the summer months, Whistler is actually a few degrees warmer.
If you plan on taking the Whistler Trail and Village tour, comfortable shoes & clothing, a sun hat, water and snacks would be recommended.
Other than that, the first thing I’d recommend for any top-day trip from Vancouver to Whistler is to bring a camera.
The alpine and oceanic scenery you’ll encounter is virtually unparalleled — and smartphones aren’t always up to the task. Most tours will also require you to bring a photo ID (passport or ID card) and your smartphone ticket in order to board.
Ready for a Vancouver to Whistler Tour?
We aim to answer every question about living and travelling in the Vancouver and Whistler areas, and I hope I’ve accomplished that here.
However, if you feel there’s something I missed on Vancouver to Whistler tours, feel free to hit me up in the comments section below for customized travel advice.
Whether you’re taking a Whistler day tour from Vancouver or not, I hope to hear from you.
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