A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alaska vs. Alberta for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Alaska or Alberta?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Alaska or Alberta? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Alaska or Alberta?

Alaska

Alaska joined the United States of America as the 49th state. The US purchased the area from the Russian Empire in 1867 for just 7.2 million dollars (about two cents an acre). It became an organized territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It is separated from the rest of the country by Canada and, although it is the largest state, it is the least densely populated and for many years had the lowest population. It covers an area equal to California, Texas and Montana combined and lies on the Arctic Circle. Many people consider Alaska to be the United State's "final frontier" because of its vast wilderness. It is also where you will find the highest point in North America.

Alberta

If you ever wanted to visit a place where all the beauty of nature is centrally located, you will want to make a trip to Alberta, Canada. With part of the Canadian Rockies, the prairies and the wilderness of forests, Alberta has something for everyone. As the home to Canada's oil industry, this is also the richest province in the country.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver.


Which place is cheaper, Alberta or Alaska?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Alaska is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Alberta is $0.00. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Alaska and Alberta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Alaska -
    Alberta -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Alaska $0.00
    Alberta $0.00
Compare Hotels in Alaska and Alberta

Looking for a hotel in Alaska or Alberta? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Alaska


Hotels in Alberta


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Alaska -
    Alberta -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:

  • Anchorage to Seward- Pre-Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $219
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC: $62
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
  • Private Departure Transfer to Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
  • Private Transfer Whittier Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport ANC: $232
  • SUV-Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
  • SUV-Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage : $299
  • SUV-Private Transfer, Whittier Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
  • Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $197
  • Shuttle Transfer: Anchorage ↔ Denali National Park: $150

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alberta

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alberta:

  • Edmonton to Edmonton Airport (YEG) - Departure Private Transfer: $43
  • Private Departure Transfer from Hotels to Edmonton Airport: $43
  • Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Sunshine Village : $60
  • Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Calgary Hotels: $63
  • Alberta Transfer: Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary: $67
  • Calgary Int Airport (YYC) to Fernie - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
  • Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Airport (YYC) - Calgary Downtown: $91
  • Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Downtown - Calgary Airport (YYC): $91
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Business Car: $108
  • Private Transfer: Calgary Airport to Downtown: $111
  • Calgary hotel or address to Calgary Airport (YYC) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
  • Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary by Luxury SUV: $119

Is it cheaper to fly into Alaska or Alberta?

Prices for flights to both Alberta and Alaska change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Alaska -
    Alberta -

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.

  • City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour: $190
  • Kenai Fjords Glacier Dinner Cruise from Seward: $213
  • Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $300

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alberta

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alberta.

  • Half-Day Jasper Culture Food Tour: $107
  • Peak Nic - A hike and an outdoor cooking lesson: $119
  • Banff Food Tour: Eat the Castle: $153
  • 4-Hours E-Bike Food Tour : $201

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Alaska -
    Alberta -

Tours and Activities in Alaska

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:

  • Gold Rush Boomtown: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Skagway: $5.00
  • Juneau, The Last Frontier Self Guided (Smart Phone App/GPS) Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Seward Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Sensational Sitka Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • DIY Skagway Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $20
  • Anchorage Trolley Tour: $25
  • Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $34
  • Guided Walking Tour of Sitka | HISTORIC DOWNTOWN: $39
  • Axe Throwing - 60 minute Experience : $40
  • Anchorage Trolley's Deluxe City Tour: $50
  • Juneau City Tour: $52
  • Anchorage City Tour, w/Chocolate Factory Samplings & Much More!: $59

Tours and Activities in Alberta

Here are a few actual costs in Alberta for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Discover the Early History of Strathcona with Historic Walking Tour: $4.46
  • Tunnel Mountain Trail: a Smartphone Audio Nature Tour : $5.19
  • Downtown Calgary a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
  • 3-Hour Tips Based Walking Tour of Calgary: $5.46
  • Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Banff and Calgary: $6.31
  • The Sights of Canmore: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.31
  • The Sights of Banff: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.31
  • Edmonton Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Edmonton by Crazy Dash: $10
  • Listen to a Tour Guide as You Drive & Walk with our Discover the Rockies Package: $15
  • Banff National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
  • Icefields Parkway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Alaska -
    Alberta -

Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska

Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings: $179
  • Guided Tour on Matanuska Glacier w/Alaska Honey & Wine Tasting: $285

Sample the Local Flavors in Alberta

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Alberta:

  • Calgary Brewery Tour: $89
  • Edmonton Brewery Tour: $105


When comparing the travel costs between Alaska and Alberta, we can see that Alaska is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alaska Expensive? and Is Alberta Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, Alaska or Alberta?

Alberta has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of Alaska and Alberta, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.