Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Aspen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Aspen or Calgary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Aspen and Calgary can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Aspen or Calgary?
Aspen
Aspen is a famous, and notably expensive travel destination. The town is one of the country's most famous and recognizable ski destinations, and prices can climb high during the ski season. Although still expensive, you can often find better deals during the summer months or shoulder seasons. For visitors who want to enjoy the area's hiking, natural beauty, and charm, these are the times to visit.
Calgary
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and, located at the edge of the prairie and foothills, it is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains. If you're headed to Banff or Jasper, this is likely to be your first stop. It's also Canada's fourth largest city and worth a few days visit. Calgary's economy is diverse, but includes energy, financial services, film and television, transportation, technology, manufacturing, and much more.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAspen $293Calgary $154
The average daily cost (per person) in Aspen is $293, while the average daily cost in Calgary is $154. 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 Aspen and Calgary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAspen $170Calgary $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAspen $340Calgary $146
Compare Hotels in Aspen and Calgary
Looking for a hotel in Aspen or Calgary? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Aspen Hotel Prices and Calgary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aspen $56Calgary $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aspen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aspen:
- Aspen hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $218
- Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) - Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: $269
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:
- Alberta Transfer: Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary: $64
- Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Business Car: $108
- Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Luxury Van: $128
- Banff To Calgary Airport - Private Transfer: $365
- Calgary Air to Fairmont/Radium Hot Springs Round-Trip Transfer: $295
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Banff Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $277
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Banff | Private Transfer: $185
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Jasper Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $169
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Lake Louise - Arrival Private Transfer: $115
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Lake Louise | Private Transfer: $235
- Calgary Airport to Banff Thermal Resorts Private Arrival Transfer: $139
- Calgary Airport to Kicking Horse Private Round Trip Transfer: $153
Is it cheaper to fly into Aspen or Calgary?
Prices for flights to both Calgary and Aspen 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 dayAspen $85Calgary $31
Typical Food Prices in Calgary
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:
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Bread, Chips, Cheese$8.10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Calgary
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Calgary.
- Light Brunch & Food Tour at Calgary Farmers' Market WEST: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aspen $45Calgary $15
Tours and Activities in Aspen
Here are a few actual costs in Aspen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Aspen Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Highlights of Aspen Tour: $40
- Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Tour: $40
- Aspen's DarkSide Ghost Tour: $40
- Aspen's Past to Present Historic Tour: $40
- Dark History Ghost-Themed Guided Walking Tour: $40
- From Past to Present History Walking Tour: $40
- City Highlights Walking Tour: $40
- Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Scenic Walking Tour: $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Calgary
Here are a few typical costs in Calgary for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Stampede Admission (for 2)$22
Tours and Activities in Calgary
Here are a few actual costs in Calgary for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Downtown Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Bow River Trail Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Bow River Trail: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
- Downtown Calgary a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.22
- 3-Hour Tips Based Walking Tour of Calgary: $5.46
- 3-hour Tips-Based City Walking Tour: $6.58
- Explore the Stampede City with Walking Tours in Calgary: $6.68
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Discover Calgary with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
- Rocky Mountains: Smartphone Driving and Walking Audio Tours: $15
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Calgary with Holly Jolly Hunt: $21
- Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAspen $20Calgary $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Calgary
Also in Calgary, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Calgary Brewery and Wine Tours at Award Winning Venues: $83
- Calgary Brewery Tour: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aspen and Calgary, we can see that Aspen is more expensive. And not only is Calgary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Calgary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Calgary 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 Aspen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aspen than you might in Calgary.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aspen Expensive? and Is Calgary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aspen or Calgary?
Calgary has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Aspen. When comparing the sizes of Aspen and Calgary, 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.