Skip to content
Voykit
Set your trip — dates, party, bagsPlanner

Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Territory capital · Canada

Whitehorse

Give Whitehorse 2–3 nights: one for the city and the river, one for a day trip, one spare for weather. Skip it only if you are driving straight to Dawson City.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
CAD
Best months
Jun–Aug for midnight sun and hiking; late Feb–Mar for aurora and winter festivals
avoid Nov (dark, slushy, few tours); late Sep–Oct for shoulder-season closures
Airport
YXY
Nights
2–3
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
  • Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
  • Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.

Whitehorse is the Yukon's capital and its only real city, holding roughly three-quarters of the territory's people on the banks of the Yukon River. It is Canada's driest city, sitting in a rain shadow, so summer days are long and clear and winter is cold but milder than Yellowknife. Most travellers use it as a base: the city itself takes a day, and the surrounding lakes, canyons and hot springs fill the rest. It is also the road and air hub for the territory, which makes it the natural first stop on any Yukon trip.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Whitehorse, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee and a bakery breakfastC$8–15 (≈ US$6–11)
  • Sit-down mealDinner main in a downtown restaurantC$22–38 (≈ US$16–30)
  • Street or quick mealLunch main (soup, sandwich or bowl)C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19)
  • BeerDraught beer at a brewpubC$7–10 (≈ US$6–8)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
  • Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (MacBride, Beringia, transportation museum)C$6–12 (≈ US$5–9)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
  • Mid-range bedHotel or motel double room, a night, per roomC$200 (≈ US$150)
  • High-end bedHotel or motel double room, a night, per roomC$340 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

S.S. Klondike sternwheelerMiles Canyon and the Yukon RiverNorthern lights in winterKlondike Gold Rush historyBeringia and the ice-age crossing
Airports
YXY Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport (About 10 min by taxi from downtown; Air North and Air Canada serve it year-round.)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Whitehorse: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

−11°C

−19°C

11 rd

Feb

−7°C

−17°C

8 rd

Mar

−1°C

−12°C

7 rd

Apr

7°C

−4°C

5 rd

May

14°C

2°C

8 rd

Jun

19°C

6°C

11 rd

Jul

21°C

9°C

13 rd

Aug

19°C

7°C

12 rd

Sep

12°C

3°C

11 rd

Oct

4°C

−3°C

12 rd

Nov

−5°C

−12°C

12 rd

Dec

−9°C

−17°C

11 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Downtown is walkable and the riverfront trail connects the main sights. Whitehorse Transit runs eight bus routes with a $2.50 cash fare and a free 90-minute transfer. Taxis are metered; downtown to the airport runs about $18. A car is worth it for Miles Canyon, the hot springs and the highway stops.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Miles Canyon and the Yukon River loop

go

Door to door: About 2–3 h

City bus or a 10-min drive south, then walk the canyon rim trail

Suspension bridge over the basalt canyon; go early for calm water and fewer people.

Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs

go

Door to door: About 45 min each way

Drive the Alaska Highway north, exit onto the Klondike Highway, then Takhini Hot Springs Road

Outdoor pools, 19+ only; entry around C$19 (check).

Carcross and Emerald Lake

go

Door to door: About 1 h each way

Drive the South Klondike Highway, about 75 km

Desert dunes, a small First Nations town and a very coloured lake; half a day.

Dawson City

overnight

Door to door: 6–7 h

Drive the Klondike Highway, about 530 km; or the seasonal Husky Bus, about 7 h

Too far for a day return: sleep at least one night.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Downtown (Main St and Front St)

Walk to museums, the S.S. Klondike and most restaurants; best for a short stay without a car.

Riverdale

Quieter residential area across the river; cheaper rooms, 15–20 min walk or a short drive to downtown.

Alaska Highway strip and airport area

Motels and chain hotels with parking; useful if you arrive late or leave early by car.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
Mid
C$150–240 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
High
C$260 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Hotel or motel double room1 × 3 nights × C$200C$600
Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × C$160C$960
Airport taxi, both ways2 × C$36 · checkC$72
Transit day pass or cash fares, one day2 × C$5 · checkC$10
eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25C$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeC$169
Trip total≈ C$310 per person per day, bed includedC$1,861≈ US$1,400

2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee and a bakery breakfastC$8–15 (≈ US$6–11)
Lunch main (soup, sandwich or bowl)C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19)
Dinner main in a downtown restaurantC$22–38 (≈ US$16–30)
Draught beer at a brewpubC$7–10 (≈ US$6–8)
Museum entry (MacBride, Beringia, transportation museum)C$6–12 (≈ US$5–9)
Taxi, downtown to airportAbout C$18 (≈ US$14) (check)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Whitehorse is a small, safe city and the main risks are environmental: winter cold, long empty highway drives and wildlife on the road. Downtown has some late-night disorder around the bars; keep to lit streets and use a taxi after midnight.
  • Winter temperatures drop below −20 °C: layers, gloves and a hat are not optional.
  • Distances between Yukon towns are long and fuel stops are sparse: fill up before leaving Whitehorse.
  • Some attractions and tours run only late May to early September: check dates before you build a plan around them.
  • Summer accommodation books out weeks ahead; the same is true for aurora season in February and March.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire and ambulance
911
Yukon health line (24 h nurse advice)
811

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

WhitehorseWhitehorse

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire and ambulance911
  • Health advice line811

Embassy

No embassies in Whitehorse; the US, UK and other missions are in Ottawa or Vancouver. Check your own country's consular list before you travel.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Taxi downtown → airport: about C$18 (≈ US$14), 10 min (check)
  • Whitehorse Transit cash fare: C$2.50 (≈ US$2) with a free 90-min transfer (check)
  • Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs entry: about C$19 (≈ US$14), 19+ only (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you (English is the main language; some Yukon First Nations languages are also spoken)
  • Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop? (ask at the visitor centre on Main Street)
  • Is the road open? — Is the road open? (check 511 Yukon before driving)
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (cards are accepted almost everywhere)
  • Do you have a table for two? — Do you have a table for two? (book ahead in July and August)
  • Where can I see the northern lights? — Where can I see the northern lights? (ask about aurora tours from September)

Tipping is expected in Canada: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% for taxis.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Whitehorse. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Aug for midnight sun and hiking; late Feb–Mar for aurora and winter festivals · avoid Nov (dark, slushy, few tours); late Sep–Oct for shoulder-season closures · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for YXY: taxi and shuttle windows, late-arrival motels, winter gear pickup.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Main Street, the riverfront and S.S. Klondike, the Alaska Highway museums, Riverdale.
  3. Place pages with verified seasonal cutoffs (S.S. Klondike, MacBride Museum, Beringia Centre, fishway) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Aurora and cold-weather fixtures so winter arrivals can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Canada

Sources