Which place is cheaper, Nova Scotia or Alberta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Alberta or Nova Scotia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Alberta or Nova Scotia? 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: Alberta or Nova Scotia?
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.
Nova Scotia
As one of the original four provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia became part of Canada in 1867. With a population of over 900,000 people, 44% of them live in the capital city of Nova Scotia. This region is truly diverse with people of countless ethnic backgrounds calling Nova Scotia home, but the biggest influences come from the early Scottish settlers. It's undoubtedly there even if it's been mixed with the native Mi'kmaq culture and those of other immigrant groups.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Toronto, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Vancouver.
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Alberta Prices
Canada PricesNova Scotia Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlberta $132Nova Scotia $130
The average daily cost (per person) in Alberta is $132, while the average daily cost in Nova Scotia is $130. 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 Alberta and Nova Scotia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlberta $66Nova Scotia $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlberta $132Nova Scotia $120
Compare Hotels in Alberta and Nova Scotia
Looking for a hotel in Alberta or Nova Scotia? 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alberta $19Nova Scotia $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alberta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alberta:
- Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Luxury SUV: $141
- Banff Canmore to Calgary YYC Airport Transfer: $218
- Banff Lake Louise or Canmore and Calgary Private Shuttle Transfer: $61
- Black Car Airport Transfers in Bow Valley: $295
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Calgary hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $101
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Calgary hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $202
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Lake Louise - Arrival Private Transfer: $208
- Calgary Airport to Banff and Beyond Transfer Service: $65
- Calgary YYC Airport: Hassle-free Private Transfer to Lake Louise: $161
- Calgary or Calgary Airport to Lake Louise Private Transfer: $203
- Calgary or YYC Airport to Banff | Private Transfer: $162
- Calgary to Banff - Private Transfer: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Alberta or Nova Scotia?
Prices for flights to both Nova Scotia and Alberta 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
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Food Meals for one dayAlberta $47Nova Scotia $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alberta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alberta.
- Pasta Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Calgary: $63
- Sushi Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Calgary: $63
- Bites and Sites of Canmore Walking Food Tour: $78
- Sips & Sweets - Canadian Evening Food Tour: $85
- A Taste of Banff Food Tour: $106
- Half-Day Jasper Culture Food Tour: $119
- Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alberta $13Nova Scotia $28
Tours and Activities in Alberta
Here are a few actual costs in Alberta for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Edmonton City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based: $4.00
- Town of Banff Highlights 2 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $4.00
- Calgary City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $5.00
- Downtown Calgary a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.63
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Banff and Calgary: $8.10
- Tunnel Mountain Trail: a Smartphone Audio Nature Tour : $8.12
- The Sights of Banff: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.12
- The Sights of Canmore: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.14
- Edmonton Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Banff Cave & Hot Springs Audio Walking Tour (Not a Ticket): $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Edmonton by Crazy Dash: $10
- Jasper National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlberta $11Nova Scotia $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Alberta
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Alberta:
- Park Distillery Tour with Craft Spirits Tasting: $11
- Park Distillery Tour with Whisky Tasting: $18
- Calgary Brewery Tour: $88
- Edmonton Brewery Tour (10 person minimum group): $103
When comparing the travel costs between Alberta and Nova Scotia, we can see that Alberta 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 Alberta Expensive? and Is Nova Scotia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Alberta or Nova Scotia?
Alberta has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Nova Scotia. When comparing the sizes of Alberta and Nova Scotia, 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.
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.