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 $129Ontario $13,822
The average daily cost (per person) in Alberta is $129, while the average daily cost in Ontario is $13,822. 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 $7,513
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlberta $130Ontario $
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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 $2,148
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alberta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alberta:
- Calgary to Lake Louise private group transfer: $288
- Private Transfer YYC Airport to Banff Canmore Louise kananaskis: $255
- Private Transfer from Calgary to Banff: $254
- Banff/Canmore to Calgary YYC Airport Private Transfer: $249
- Banff to Calgary Exclusive Private Transfer: $241
- Edmonton Airport (YEG) to Edmonton - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $238
- Private Airport Transfer YYC to Banff Canmore or Lake Louise: $219
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Banff Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $211
- Banff Resorts to Calgary Airport (YYC) Departure Private Transfer: $211
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Lake Louise - Arrival Private Transfer: $203
- Calgary YYC Airport: Hassle-free Private Transfer to Lake Louise: $179
- Private Transfer: Calgary Airport to Fairmont Banff Spring Hotel: $159
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ontario
Also for Ontario, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer Toronto to Niagara region: $291
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Luxury Car: $173
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto Airport YYZ to Niagara Falls in Luxury SUV: $200
- Departure Private Transfer: Niagara Falls to Toronto Airport YYZ in Business Car: $300
- Departure Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ by Luxury SUV: $176
- Departure Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ in Sedan Car: $153
- Fixed Price :- Private Transfers Niagara falls Hotel OR Pearson Toronto Airport: $290
- Hamilton to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) - Departure Private Transfer: $135
- Highlights of Toronto city tour with private transfers: $255
- Low Cost:-Private Transfer: Niagara Falls Canada to Toronto Pearson Airport: $209
- Niagara Buffalo Airport Departure: Private Transfer to Buffalo Niagara Airport: $100
- Niagara Falls private transfers: $274
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 $4,432
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alberta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alberta.
- Banff's Sips & Sweets Evening Food Tour: $84
- Refined Indian Cooking Class in Edmonton (Includes 4-Course Meal): $84
- Taste of Banff Food Tour: $106
- The Banff Food Tour and So Much More: $109
- Explore Canmore Food Tour and More: $110
- Half-Day Jasper Culture Food Tour: $118
- Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour: $129
- Edmonton's #1 Food Bike Tour: The Best Local Food Tour on E-Bikes: $146
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ontario
For Ontario, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $64
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Guided Food Tour with Ice Wine & Poutine: $65
- Downtown London Walking Food Tour: $65
- Toronto Best Private St Lawrence Market Food Tour: $70
- Toronto: Niagara Falls Night Tour, Boat, Journey, Dinner & Tower: $72
- 2 Hour Express Toronto Food Tour: Flavors of Kensington Market: $75
- Toronto: Authentic Food Tour with Local & International Flavors: $75
- Oh Canada Eh!? Ottawa Dinner Musical with Live Music and Comedy: $77
- Great Canadian Food Tour- St. Lawrence Market + The Distillery: $78
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Journey, Dinner & Fireworks: $80
- Must-Do Toronto Food Tour by Toronto's First Food Tour Company: $89
- European Evening Walking Food Tour in London, Ontario: $92
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alberta $13Ontario $1,494
Tours and Activities in Alberta
Here are a few actual costs in Alberta for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Tour Drumheller Royal Tyrrell Museum from Calgary: $113
- 1 Day Tour Waterton Redrock Canyon and Cameron Falls: $130
- 1 Day Tour in Banff Lake Louise and Moraine Lake: $109
- 1-Hour Edmonton River Valley Segway Tour: $44
- 1.5 Hour Stand Up Paddle-board (SUP) Tour in Banff National Park: $91
- 12 Iconic Stops: Banff & Yoho Premium Small Group Guided Tour: $182
- 2 Hour Banff Horseback Riding Adventure: $159
- 3 Day Banff Moraine Lake Louise Johnston Columbia Icefield Tour: $219
- 4 hour Moraine Lake Tour from Banff and Canmore: $69
- 4-Hour Lake Louise Tour from Banff and Canmore: $69
- 4WD Tour from Calgary to Bow Lake Banff: $183
- 5 Lakes Tour Louise and Moraine Emerald Peyto Takakkaw Falls: $113
Tours and Activities in Ontario
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ontario.
- Discover Toronto: A Self-Guided Tour: $1.15
- Toronto Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.94
- Toronto Essentials Tour: Old Town & Downtown Highlights (PWYC): $4.38
- Ottawa Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.57
- Ottawa City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based: $5.00
- Toronto Iconic Core and Landmarks Walking Tour: $5.00
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Huntsville & Toronto: $6.56
- Explore Canada's Metropolis with Walking Tours Through Toronto: $6.56
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Bracebridge & Toronto: $6.58
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Collingwood and Toronto: $6.60
- Ottawa Walking Tour 2h20 and 25 audio commentary: $6.93
- Toronto Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 23 audio commentary: $6.93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlberta $11Ontario $848
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
- Craft Your Own Gin at Burwood Distillery: $91
- Calgary Brewery Tour: $95
- Edmonton Brewery Tour (10 person minimum group): $102
- Calgary to Banff Brewery Tour and Lunch: $145
Sample the Local Flavors in Ontario
Also in Ontario, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Toronto Distillery District: Whisky Exploration Game and Tour: $7.39
- Astounding Bar Crawl: Take On Toronto: $15
- Toronto Distillery District Walking Tour: $21
- Summer Sips - Private Outdoor Wine Tasting Experience: $22
- Between the Lines Black Glass Wine Tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $23
- Toronto Distillery & Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $28
- Guided Tasting Activity at Sake Brewery: $29
- Private Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $58
- Blindfold Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier Niagara: $65
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Transportation: $73
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tasting Tour: $94
- Relaxing Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $94
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.