Is Calgary Expensive?

Is Calgary expensive to visit?

Calgary is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $156. Compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in North America for its travel costs, comparable to places like Cancun and Victoria.



Calgary, Canada

How expensive is Calgary?

The average cost of traveling to Calgary can vary widely based on many factors, but our calculations based on previous travlers show that the average daily cost is $156 (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 Calgary here.

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

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a weekend trip to Calgary will cost around $468 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $937.

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

On average, a one week trip to Calgary costs about $1,093 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 $2,186.

Is it expensive to backpack in Calgary?

While Calgary attracts a few backpackers, traveling on a budget can be challenging because there are only a few hostels around town. The average cost of a hostel in Calgary is $31 per night. The cheapest beds cost about $29 and the most expensive rooms cost around $33. (See hostel prices in Calgary here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Calgary.

  • $29 for a dorm bed at HI Calgary City Centre
  • $33 for a dorm bed at Wicked Hostels - Calgary

Are hotels expensive in Calgary?

Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Calgary, it becomes apparent that they are very affordable in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $96 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately [5_STAR_COUNT] five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of [5_STAR_PRICE] per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $96 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $70 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Calgary
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
4 stars 15 $148
3 stars 43 $96
2 stars 27 $70

1919 52 street N W, Calgary
Overall Rating 9.2
899 Centre Street SW, Calgary
Overall Rating 9.1

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Calgary?

Activities and things to do in Calgary 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 $16 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $24.

    • Explore Banff National Park with Our Premium Day Tour: $120
    • Full Day Private Banff National Park Tour Small Group Customizabl: $194
    • Big Boat Canoe Tour: $44
    • Waterton Lakes National Park | Private Exclusive Tour: $290
    • Banff, Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tour from Calgary, Canmore: $96
    • Full Day Tour at Columbia Icefield Glacier : $209
    • Full Day Tour in Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Yoho N.P.: $96
    • Suspension Bridge & Sightseeing Tour: $149

    Is food expensive in Calgary?

    Food in Calgary can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $31 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $38. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

    • Light Brunch & Food Tour at Calgary Farmers' Market WEST: $81

    Is transportation expensive in Calgary?

    The prices of local transportation in Calgary can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $13 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 Calgary

    If you're planning a trip to Calgary, 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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