Which place is cheaper, Ontario 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 Ontario?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Alberta or Ontario? 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 Ontario?
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.
Ontario
Chances are when you think of Canada, the things that come to mind are all located in the province of Ontario. Ontario has the highest population of any province in the country, and is the heart of Canadian tourism. As the home of Toronto, Niagara Falls and Lake Superior, this area is a major tourist destination.
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 PricesOntario Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlberta $131Ontario $239
The average daily cost (per person) in Alberta is $131, while the average daily cost in Ontario is $239. 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 Ontario in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlberta $65Ontario $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlberta $130Ontario $220
Compare Hotels in Alberta and Ontario
Looking for a hotel in Alberta or Ontario? 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 $19Ontario $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alberta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alberta:
- Banff: Private 1-Way Airport Transfer from Calgary Airport: $361
- Private Transfer to Banff from Calgary or Airport: $257
- Edmonton Airport (YEG) to Edmonton - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $230
- Banff Canmore to Calgary YYC Airport Transfer: $216
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Banff Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $206
- Banff Resorts to Calgary Airport (YYC) Departure Private Transfer: $206
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Sunshine Village - Arrival Transfer: $204
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Lake Louise - Arrival Private Transfer: $198
- Calgary to Banff Airport Transfer Reliably to the Rockies: $185
- Calgary Airport to Canmore or Kananaskis | Private Transfer: $154
- From Calgary YYC Airport: Hassle-free Private Transfer to Banff: $146
- Calgary or YYC Airport to Banff | Private Transfer: $137
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ontario
Also for Ontario, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Luxury Car: $159
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Luxury Van: $165
- Arrival Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto by Luxury SUV: $182
- Arrival Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Sedan Car: $159
- Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by SUV or Minibus: $72
- Departure Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ in Sedan Car: $159
- Fixed Price :- Private Transfers Niagara falls Hotel OR Pearson Toronto Airport : $277
- Niagara Falls private transfers : $275
- Niagara Falls to Pearson Toronto Airport Private Transfer: $275
- Ottawa Parc Omega Private Tour with Hotel Transfer: $216
- Private Airport Transfer Pearson Airport to or from Toronto: $64
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Alberta or Ontario?
Prices for flights to both Ontario 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 $46Ontario $76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alberta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alberta.
- 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
- Morning Glory ~ Banff's 'Breakfast Bits' Food Tour: $69
- Take a Bite of Banff ~ Canadian Rocky Mountain Food Tour: $90
- Half-Day Jasper Culture Food Tour: $119
- Banff Food Tour: Eat the Castle: $151
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ontario
For Ontario, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Gatineau Park Nocturnal Hike and Dinner From Ottawa: $59
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $61
- Downtown London Walking Food Tour: $66
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $71
- Must-Do Toronto Food Tour by Toronto's First Food Tour Company: $73
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Dinner & Illumination Tower: $73
- Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $77
- Old-Aylmer Food Tour - Food Tour From Ottawa : $81
- Taste of the Continents: International Food Tour : $85
- European Evening Walking Food Tour in London, Ontario: $92
- Walking Food Tour in St. Catharines: $106
- Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour With Boat Cruise & Dinner (optional): $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alberta $13Ontario $22
Tours and Activities in Alberta
Here are a few actual costs in Alberta for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour: $63
- Banff to Marble Canyon Trailhead ATV Adventure: $264
- Blend Your Own Gin Experience in Banff: $55
- 1 Day Tour | Banff | Moraine Lake | Lake Louise | From Calgary: $80
- 1 Hour Shared Winter Sleigh Ride Experience in Kananaskis: $39
- 1-Hour Edmonton River Valley Segway Tour: $44
- 2 Day Banff Lake Louise Johnston Canyon Gondola Hot Springs tour: $169
- 2 Day Guided Tour in Banff National Park: $284
- 2 Hour Banff Horseback Riding Adventure: $134
- 25-Minute Helicopter Adventure in Three Sisters Canmore: $261
- 3 Day Banff Moraine Lake Louise Johnston Columbia Icefield Tour : $264
- 5.5-Hour Jasper Wildlife and Waterfalls Tour with Maligne Lake Cruise from Jasper: $158
Tours and Activities in Ontario
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ontario.
- Gratuity-Based Ottawa City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour: $2.50
- Old Town Toronto History Walking Tour: $4.40
- Gratuity- Based Toronto City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour: $5.00
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Bracebridge & Toronto: $6.59
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Huntsville & Toronto: $6.60
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Collingwood and Toronto: $6.60
- A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
- Historical Ghost Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Downtown Hamilton: $6.99
- Toronto Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.37
- Street Art Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour in Ottawa: $7.74
- Ottawa Downtown Historic Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
- Ottawa Mystery Quest: Self-Guided Detective Adventure: $8.59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlberta $11Ontario $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Alberta
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Alberta:
- Calgary Brewery Tour: $88
- Edmonton Brewery Tour (10 person minimum group): $103
Sample the Local Flavors in Ontario
Also in Ontario, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Spirits of the Distillery District Ghost Tour: $25
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $29
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation : $59
- Guided Bicycle Tour - Toronto Waterfront, Island and Distillery: $81
- Toronto Craft Brewery Tour: $91
- Small Group Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tasting Tour: $95
- Toronto: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Wine Tasting & Chocolate Day Tour: $109
- Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour: $117
- Blue Mountain Day Trip: Wine tasting, Horseback & Outdoor Fun!: $120
- Luxury Winery, Distillery & Craft Beer Tour in Niagara Region : $121
- Vine and Dine Bicycle Wine Tour with Lunch : $125
- Relaxing three courses Lunch & Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $146
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alberta and Ontario, we can see that Ontario is more expensive. And not only is Alberta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alberta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alberta and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Ontario would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ontario than you might in Alberta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alberta Expensive? and Is Ontario Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Alberta or Ontario?
Ontario has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Alberta. When comparing the sizes of Alberta and Ontario, 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.