Is Calgary expensive to visit?
Calgary is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $172. 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 Cabo San Lucas 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 $172 (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 $517 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $1,035.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Calgary?
On average, a one week trip to Calgary costs about $1,207 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 $2,414.
Is it expensive to backpack in Calgary?
Calgary is a fairly common backpacker destination with more than 3 hostels in the area. Dorm beds in hostels average about $29 per night. (See hostel prices in Calgary here.) Keep in mind that you'll find a wide range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $32 and the cheapest around $26 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Calgary.
- $32 for a dorm bed at HI Calgary City Centre
- $29 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 |
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 $15 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $24.
| Name | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Calgary Stampede Grounds | CA$30 | more info |
| Calgary Zoo | $34.95 | more info |
| Heritage Park Historical Village | $30 | more info |
| Canada Olympic Park (WinSport) | CA$50 | more info |
| Stephen Avenue Walk | Free | more info |
| Calgary Tower | CA$18 | more info |
| Inglewood Bird Sanctuary | Free | more info |
| Prince's Island Park | Free | more info |
| TELUS Spark Science Centre | CA$19.95 | more info |
| Devonian Gardens | Free | more info |
| Glenbow Museum | $15 | more info |
| Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre | $18 | more info |
- Banff Big 3 Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and Emerald Lake Tour: $174
- Banff National Park Tour with a Small Group: $141
- Lake View Tour — Lake Moraine, Louise, Emerald, Peyto, Vermillion: $112
- Rockies Grand Advanture: Moraine & Louise Lakes, Waterfall Tour: $86
- The Ultimate Calgary Experience: Music, Culture & Hidden Nature: $201
- Banff: Canoe Tour, Moraine Lake & Lake Louise: $195
- Explore 4 Lakes and Banff Town Full day Tour: $75
- Lake Louise 、Moraine and Emerald Lake Tour from Calgary Banff: $93
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 $52 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.
- Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour: $127
- Light Brunch & Food Tour at Calgary Farmers' Market WEST: $80
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 $12 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.