If you’re begging for a quick mountain escape, tons of Whistler tours from Vancouver are available.
That said, with these two tourist behemoths, the menu is sadly more quantity than 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: The Best Whistler Restaurants
Small Group Day Trip to Whistler
Departure Point: Sandman Hotel (downtown) | Length: 10.5 hours | Cost: From $228.81 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 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.
Whistler Day Trip from Vancouver With Sea to Sky Gondola
Departure Point: Canada Place | Length: 12 hours | Cost: From $230.42 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.
For Whistler and Sea to Sky Gondola tour reviews and the lowest price online, click the orange button below.
Thinking of spending the night? Check out our guide to Cheap Whistler Hotels before you book.
Vancouver to Whistler Day Trip by Seaplane
Departure Point: Coal Harbour | Length: 9 hours | Cost: From $521.48 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.
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.
Full Day Whistler Private Tour from Vancouver
Full Day Whistler Private Tour from VancouverDeparture Point: DT Hotels/Cruise terminal | Length: 9 hours | Cost: From $678.00 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 for yourselves, you can fit up to six passengers. Thus, the cost is significantly lower on a per-person basis, so there’s value here for families or larger groups.
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.
Whistler Day Tour from Vancouver with Shannon Falls
Departure Point: Sandman Hotel | Length: 10.5 hours | Cost: From $249.99 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 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.
Whistler Tour Prices
So, how much does it cost for a day tour from Vancouver to Whistler?
Here’s a handy graph of Whistler day tour prices, with some extra info on departure points. That way, you can quickly decide which tour is right for you.
| Tour | Location | Price | More Info |
| Small Group Day Tour | Hotel pickup | $228.81 | More info |
| Whistler + STS Gondola | Canada Place | $230.42 | More info |
| Whistler Tour + Seaplane | Coal Harbour | $521.48 | More info |
| Whistler + Biking Tour | Hotel Pickup | $295.00 | More info |
| Full Day Private Tour | Custom | $678.00 | More info |
| Whistler + Shannon Falls | Hotel pickup | $249.99 | More info |
As you can see, the cheapest tour is the Whistler Small Group Day Tour at $228 CAD. However, various other tours are also on offer that cater to diverse price points and tastes. So there should be something for every traveller.
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.
How to Book a Whistler Tour Package from Vancouver
⚠️ Whistler day tours tend to sell out way in advance, especially during high season. Ensure you book your tickets online first. With the links here, you can even get free cancellation tickets.
Booking tickets for Whistler sightseeing tours is as simple as purchasing something on Amazon—in fact, it’s even faster.
Here, I’ll walk you through the process with ease.
All you have to do is choose your top Whistler day tour using the buttons above, select a time, and you’re good to go – with free cancellation!
1. Select Your Day Tour to Whistler from Vancouver
- Head to the Vancouver to Whistler day trip portal on Viator.
- Here, you’re booking with a secure publicly traded company (Tripadvisor) with a $3 billion market cap.
- Booking with them gets you book now pay later Whistler day tours, which help a lot with budgeting.
- You’re also locking in Viator’s lowest price guarantee to help you save money.
2. Select Your Whistler Day Tour Time
- Select your day tour of Whistler.
- Click the green ‘Check Availability’ button on the product page.
- Select a date on the calendar.
- Choose the number of people and click ‘Apply’.
- Select your time and click ‘Reserve Now & Pay Later’ or ‘Book Now’.
FYI: If you choose ‘Reserve Now & Pay Later,’ you can pay for your tickets at any point up to 48 hours before.
Change your mind? Either way, you can cancel your tickets free of charge up to 24 hours before.
Boom! You can lock in your Whistler sightseeing tour in less than 2 minutes.
Whistler Tour Reviews
Our provider, Viator, has thousands of reviews on their long list of day tours from Vancouver to Whistler.
Amazingly, most of these tours hold a 4.5-star rating or above.
Let’s take a look at what people are saying about our most popular tour:
Whistler & Sea to Sky Gondola Small-Group Day Trip from Vancouver
Pros:
- Cheapest Whistler Day tour from Vancouver
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Ability to see Whistler Village, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center, the Sea to Sky Gondola and Shannon Falls
- Ample time to explore independently and sample Whistler’s best restaurants
- Expert guide and driver with tons of fun facts
Cons:
- Some have complained that 10 hours is too long
- You’ll spend 3-4 hours on the road
No need to expand on this too much. Our entry-level tour has a 4.5-star rating and over 600 reviews.
Here’s a bit of what to expect from Viator customer Ian_C:
>>>Check out over 600 reviews on Viator now
Hopefully, I’ve managed to provide you with a Whistler day tour package that meets your needs and price point.
As you can see above, a quick trip to Whistler during a visit to Vancouver is a perfect way to explore the region’s natural beauty without renting a vehicle.
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 $230 CAD. From there, the prices can rise exponentially for Whistler floatplane tours ($521.48) 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.
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.
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. It is much cooler at altitude during the winter, with a higher probability of snowfall. However, Whistler is usually a few degrees warmer than Vancouver in summer.
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.
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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