Is Alberta Expensive?

Is Alberta expensive to visit?

Alberta is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $128. Compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a reasonably affordable place to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability, comparable to places like other cities in the country.

Alberta is not frequented by travelers as much as other areas, but it still offers destinations that attract plenty of visitors. One of the most expensive places to visit in Alberta is Calgary. For more affordability, you can visit Banff.


Average daily price of selected cities in Alberta, by affordability
City Average Daily Cost
Calgary $176
Banff $104


Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

How expensive is Alberta?

The average cost of traveling to Alberta can vary widely based on many factors, but our calculations based on previous travlers show that the average daily cost is $128 (U.S. Dollars). Your travel style, accommodation preferences, dining choices, and trip duration can alter your individual budget, as you can find a wide array of accommodation, food, and entertainment options available for your visit. Sticking to mid-range hotels, affordable restaurants, and public transit when available can keep your costs close to this calculated average. See more travel costs for Alberta here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Alberta?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a weekend trip to Alberta will cost around $383 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $765.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Alberta?

On average, a one week trip to Alberta costs about $893 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,785.



Calgary, Canada

Is it expensive to backpack in Alberta?

Alberta is often overlooked by backpackers, as there is a very limited selection of hostels. Because there aren't any hostels and few other amenities that cater to backpackers, prices might be higher than you'd expect. This is particularly true for solo travelers who many have to pay the full cost for a hotel room. To save money, look for budget hotels in convenient locations.

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Alberta?

Activities and things to do in Alberta can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $13 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $24.

  • Icefields Parkway & Ice Bubbles of Abraham Lake Adventure: $187
  • Blend Your Own Gin Experience in Banff: $55
  • Banff National Park Exclusive Small Group Tour: $73
  • Small Group E-Bike Tour the Banff Local Explorer: $80
  • Edmonton Food Bike Tour: $146
  • Athabasca Falls/Abraham,Sunwapta Falls,Icefield & Peyto Lake Tour: $165
  • Guided E-Bike Tour of Canmore: $98
  • Banff NIGHT ADVENTURE with possible STARGAZING and Aurora chasing: $109

Is food expensive in Alberta?

Food in Alberta can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $45 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $63. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

  • Take a Bite of Banff ~ Canadian Rocky Mountain Food Tour: $90
  • Half-Day Jasper Culture Food Tour: $120
  • Banff Food Tour: Eat the Castle: $151
  • Immersive Sushi Making Cooking Class in Edmonton: $44
  • Sushi Making Cooking Class With Local Chef in Edmonton: $50
  • Sushi Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Calgary: $62

Is transportation expensive in Alberta?

Local transportation in Alberta can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $18 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $22. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

More for Alberta

If you're planning a trip to Alberta, Alberta, check out these other informative travel guides.



We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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