A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Calgary for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bali or Calgary?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Calgary can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a lush, frequented, and spiritual island. The famous beauty of Bali is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Bali travel costs.

Calgary

Calgary is a local, authentic, and western city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Calgary travel costs.

Bali and Calgary: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Bali or Calgary?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bali than Calgary. While Calgary is larger than Bali, Bali has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bali is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Calgary is more popular for its museums and attractions. Bali is more touristy than Calgary and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang. Calgary is well known for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede.

How is Bali different from Calgary?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calgary and Bali. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Calgary?

Bali
Calgary

Calgary is very good for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Calgary offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in Bali or Calgary? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali
Calgary

Bali is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in Bali have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Calgary may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.

Is Bali or Calgary Better for Nightlife?

Bali
Calgary

Bali is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Bali is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

If you're looking for night time activities Calgary has a few options to choose from. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Is Bali or Calgary Better for Resorts?

Bali
Calgary

Bali is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Calgary is not a resort destination.

Bali is a world class resort vacation destination. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Calgary is not a resort destination.


Is Bali or Calgary Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali
Calgary

Bali is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Calgary is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Bali is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Calgary is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Calgary Better for Beaches?

Bali
Calgary

Bali is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Calgary is not a beach destination.

Bali is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Calgary is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Calgary Better for Hiking?

Bali
Calgary

Bali is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Calgary is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Bali. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Calgary is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Calgary?

Bali
Calgary

Bali is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Calgary has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.

Is Bali or Calgary More Beautiful?

Bali
Calgary

Bali is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Bali is one of the main draws. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches and stunning countryside. It's also a very cultural island with a lot of spirituality.

Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bali or Calgary Better for Families?

Bali
Calgary

Bali is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Calgary offers lots of family activities. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.


Is Bali or Calgary Better for Couples?

Bali
Calgary

Bali is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Bali is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Calgary is a good island for couples to visit. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend trip.

Is Bali or Calgary Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali
Calgary

Bali is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Plenty of backpackers visit Calgary. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Bali or Calgary Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bali
Calgary

Both Bali and Calgary offer notable public transit options.

Bali has a few public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Calgary has some public transit options. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.


Is Bali or Calgary a more walkable city?

Bali
Calgary

Bali and Calgary both are respectable when exploring on foot.

Bali is generally not very walkable. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

Calgary is generally not a very walkable island. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Calgary Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calgary or Bali?

How long in Bali or Calgary?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bali or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bali than Calgary because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 7-14 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 1-2 days is enough time in Calgary.

Families should spend more time in Bali than Calgary. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bali, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bali than Calgary. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bali that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Calgary if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bali.


  • How many days in Bali or Calgary? Ideal Length of Stay
    Bali 7-14 
    Calgary 1-2

One day in Bali or Calgary?

In Bali, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Calgary. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bali or Calgary?

In Bali, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Calgary is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.


Five days in Bali or Calgary?

Bali is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, five days is probably not enough for all of it. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the western destination of Calgary. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Calgary?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. In Bali, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

The western city of Calgary offers museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Bali?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $87, while the average daily cost in Calgary is $168. 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 Bali and Calgary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bali $41
    Calgary $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bali $82
    Calgary $138
Compare Hotels in Bali and Calgary

Looking for a hotel in Bali 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.

Hotels in Bali


Hotels in Calgary


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: Bali Hotel Prices and Calgary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bali $8.89
    Calgary $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:


  • Motorbike Rental
    $3.05

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:

  • BALI PARAGLIDING Fly, Swing and Soaring above the sea with private transfer: $114
  • Bali : Safari & Marine Park Round-Trip Transfer Only: $22
  • Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Nusa Dua: $23
  • Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Uluwatu & South Kuta: $31
  • Bali Massage with Transfer to International Bali Airport (DPS): $59
  • Bali Parasailing Adventure,Banana Boat,Jet Ski and Donut Boat with Transfers: $69
  • Bali Quad and Buggy Discovery Tour, Including Round-Trip Transfer: $76
  • Bali Spa Treatment with Airport Transfers (Departure): $57
  • Bali Spiritual: Blessing Ceremony, Pristine Nature and Transfer: $115
  • Bali and Trawangan: Fastboat with Optional Bali Transfer: $48
  • Bali to/from Gili Air: Fast Boat with Optional Bali Transfer: $1.59
  • ATV Mason Jungle Buggy Adventure with Lunch & Transfer: $59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:

  • Calgary Airport Transfer to/from Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise: $41
  • From Bus Transfer to Banff: $57
  • Alberta Transfer: Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary: $59
  • Private Transfers during Calgary Stampede: $68
  • Calgary YYC Airport to Canmore/Banff (Private Transfer): $73
  • Calgary Downtown Transfers: $81
  • Prvt. Transfer YYC Airport to WinSport Olympic Park: $81
  • From Calgary YYC Airport: Hassle-free Private Transfer to Banff: $99
  • Banff: Private Transfer to Calgary Airport or Calgary: $104
  • Private Transfer to Banff: $104
  • Private Transfer from Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Business Car: $105
  • Departure Private Transfer: Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Business Car: $105

Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Calgary?

Prices for flights to both Calgary and Bali 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
    Bali $35
    Calgary $51
Typical Food Prices in Bali

Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:


  • Coffee
    $1.22
  • Lunch for Two
    $13
  • Bali Cafe for Two
    $26
  • Lunch for Two
    $7.94
  • Lunch for 2
    $8.80
  • Dinner for 2
    $9.65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali

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

  • ​​The Balinesia Lu'au - 'A Kampung Bali Experience & Dinner Show': $28
  • Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset jimbaran Beach: $30
  • Bali Sunset and Dinner: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Jimbaran: $32
  • Amazing Private Tour-Uluwatu Kecak Dance and Romantic Seafood Dinner: $33
  • Ubud: Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm: $33
  • From Ubud: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village: $35
  • Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran: $38
  • Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45
  • Bali Street Food Tour: $45
  • Padang-Padang Beach+ Uluwatu Sunset and Kecak Dance + Dinner: $49
  • Bali's Best Sunset: Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Dinner Jimbaran Beach: $50
  • South Bali Beach Tour, Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Fire Dance & Seafood Barbeque Dinner: $50

Typical Food Prices in Calgary

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:


  • Bread, Chips, Cheese
    $7.67

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: $75
  • Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bali $11
    Calgary $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:


  • Spa for Two
    $53
  • Snorkelling Trip
    $12
  • Cooking School
    $27

Tours and Activities in Bali

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

  • Bali Ultimate Water Sports Experience: $7.80
  • Bali Water Sports Adventure: $7.89
  • Bali Bird Park: 1-Day Admission Ticket: $8.90
  • Private Tour to New Indonesia Urban Destination: $13
  • Tanah Lot Bali Temple Sunset Small Group Tour – Half Day: $13
  • Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $14
  • Pengelipuran Village, Rice Terrace & Waterfall Tour: $16
  • Uluwatu Temple Tour with Optional Kecak Dance Ticket: $16
  • Uluwatu Kecak Tickets A Spectacular Show: $18
  • Best of Ubud Full Day Private Guided Tour: $18
  • Tanah Lot Temple Guided Tour: $18
  • Gunung Kawi Rice Terrace Swing And Waterfall Private Guided Tour : $20

Typical Entertainment Prices in Calgary

Here are a few typical costs in Calgary for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Stampede Admission (for 2)
    $21

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: $4.74
  • Bow River Trail Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $4.74
  • Tips-Based City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $4.75
  • Downtown Calgary a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.63
  • Rocky Mountains: Smartphone Driving and Walking Audio Tours: $14
  • Fun Selfie Experience in Calgary: $14
  • Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour: $20
  • Calgary Flames Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $25
  • Classic Mural Tour of Calgary: $35
  • Sheep & Spirits: Diamond Valley Hiking Experience: $46
  • 3-Hour Sightseeing Bus Tour: $46
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bali $3.15
    Calgary $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Calgary

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

  • Calgary Bar Crawl: Cruisin' Calgary: $12
  • Calgary Brewery and Wine Tours at Award Winning Venues: $77


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Calgary, we can see that Calgary is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Calgary is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Calgary would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calgary than you might in Bali.

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


Which is Bigger, Bali or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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.