A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Berkeley vs. Saskatoon for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Berkeley or Saskatoon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berkeley or Saskatoon, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Berkeley

Berkeley is a progressive, diverse, and quirky city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Saskatoon

Saskatoon is a authentic, cultural, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Berkeley and Saskatoon: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Berkeley or Saskatoon?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Berkeley than Saskatoon. While Saskatoon is larger than Berkeley, Berkeley has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Berkeley is more touristy than Saskatoon and is known for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques. It is also home to University of California Botanical Garden. Saskatoon is popular for its agriculture and outdoor spaces.

How is Berkeley different from Saskatoon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Berkeley or Saskatoon?

Berkeley
Saskatoon

Berkeley is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Saskatoon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Berkeley. There are a wide range of museums around town, many of which are affiliated with the university. There are natural history museums, art museums, cultural museums, as well as historical and science museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saskatoon. There are some museums and historical sites to check out such as Fort Battleford National Historic Site, Batoche National Historic Site, and the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.


Is the Food Better in Berkeley or Saskatoon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Berkeley
Saskatoon

Berkeley is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Saskatoon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Berkeley. There's a huge diversity of restaurants that range from international to California flavors. There are also eateries that cater to the student population, as well as fine dining and everything in between. You'll also find many farmer's markets, vegan options, and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients.

Saskatoon is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There's a great food scene around town with diverse restaurants and cuisines to choose from. You can sample dim sum, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, and many more.

Is Berkeley or Saskatoon Better for Nightlife?

Berkeley
Saskatoon

Berkeley is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Saskatoon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Berkeley offers plenty to do in the evening. With its large student population, you'll find no shortage of nightlife activities around town. There are bars and pubs as well as live music venues and plenty of unique experiences.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Saskatoon. There are enough clubs and bars around town to keep things entertaining. Most cater to a younger crowd, but the vibe is fun and full of energy.

Is the Shopping Better in Berkeley or Saskatoon?

Berkeley
Saskatoon

Berkeley is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Saskatoon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Berkeley is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Quirky and local is what shopping in Berkeley is all about. There are also plenty of thrift stores and farmer's markets. Head to Fourth Street or Telegraph Avenue for some of the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Saskatoon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. A number of brands have opened stores in the downtown area in recent years, so the shopping scene continues to grow and diversify.


Is Berkeley or Saskatoon Better for Families?

Berkeley
Saskatoon

Berkeley and Saskatoon are both good destinations for the whole family.

Berkeley is a family-friendly place to visit. There are many outdoor places to explore with kids like Tilden Park or UC Botanical Garden. There are also science museums, nature centers, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.

Saskatoon is a family-friendly city. It's filled with indoor and outdoor play areas. Make sure you check out the Nutrien Wonderhub as well as the countless playgrounds around town.

Is Berkeley or Saskatoon Better for Couples?

Berkeley
Saskatoon

Berkeley and Saskatoon are both good to visit as a couple.

Berkeley is a good city for couples to visit. There's a wonderful mix of cultural activities and outdoor parks that you can explore. There's the Berkeley Rose Garden, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and many charming restaurants.

Saskatoon is a nice destination for couples. There are plenty of evening activities like dining out at a nice restaurant or taking in a show at the Persephone Theatre.

Is Berkeley or Saskatoon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Berkeley
Saskatoon

Berkeley is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Saskatoon is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Berkeley is a great city to visit for backpackers. With its eclectic and alternative vibe, backpackers will find their place in this city. There's also a huge student population and a couple of hostels in the area.

Saskatoon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers skip this town in favor of more popular destinations.


Is Berkeley or Saskatoon Better for Students?

Berkeley
Saskatoon

Berkeley is a well-known place for students. However, Saskatoon is not popular with students.

Many students visit Berkeley. University of California, Berkeley is a well reviewed university that attracts a progressive and motivated student population. The city is an expensive, but very rewarding place to study with many activities and opportunities for students.

Saskatoon is not popular with students.

Is Berkeley or Saskatoon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Berkeley
Saskatoon

Berkeley is an unbeatable place for its public transit. However, Saskatoon is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Berkeley can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. It's located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has access to buses and several BART stations.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saskatoon. There is a bus system around town.

Is Berkeley or Saskatoon a more walkable city?

Berkeley
Saskatoon

Berkeley is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Saskatoon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Berkeley on foot. Most of Berkeley is very walkable, particularly the parts around the university.

Saskatoon is a somewhat walkable city. The downtown is walkable and easy to explore on foot.


For even more information, also check out Is Berkeley Worth Visiting? and Is Saskatoon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saskatoon or Berkeley?

How long in Berkeley or Saskatoon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Berkeley and Saskatoon. In our opinion, Berkeley has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Berkeley than Saskatoon. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Berkeley, and 1-3 days is enough time in Saskatoon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berkeley than Saskatoon 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 Berkeley.


  • How many days in Berkeley or Saskatoon? Ideal Length of Stay
    Berkeley 2-3 
    Saskatoon 1-3

One day in Berkeley or Saskatoon?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Berkeley. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The city of Saskatoon offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Berkeley or Saskatoon?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Berkeley. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Saskatoon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saskatoon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Berkeley or Saskatoon?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse city of Berkeley. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Saskatoon is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.


A week in Berkeley or Saskatoon?

Berkeley is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Saskatoon is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver.


Which place is cheaper, Saskatoon or Berkeley?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Berkeley is $190, while the average daily cost in Saskatoon is $128. 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 Berkeley and Saskatoon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Berkeley $131
    Saskatoon $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Berkeley $262
    Saskatoon $110
Compare Hotels in Berkeley and Saskatoon

Looking for a hotel in Berkeley or Saskatoon? 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 Berkeley


Hotels in Saskatoon


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: Berkeley Hotel Prices and Saskatoon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Berkeley $30
    Saskatoon $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berkeley

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Berkeley:

  • Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland hotel or address - Private Arrival Transfer: $45
  • Oakland hotel or address to Oakland Airport (OAK) - Departure Private Transfer: $45
  • Oakland Airport (OAK) to San Francisco hotel/address - Private Arrival Transfer: $65
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport OAK: $81
  • Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $90
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland: $93
  • Private Transfer: Oakland International Airport to Hotel: $200
  • Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport OAK to San Francisco by SUV: $232

Is it cheaper to fly into Berkeley or Saskatoon?

Prices for flights to both Saskatoon and Berkeley 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
    Berkeley $36
    Saskatoon $32
Typical Food Prices in Berkeley

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


  • Chocolates at Sweet Dreams
    $4.46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley

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

  • Best of North Berkeley Food Tour: $130
  • Black Food Tour - Downtown Oakland: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Berkeley $30
    Saskatoon $17

Tours and Activities in Berkeley

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

  • Oakland Athletics Baseball Game Ticket at RingCentral Coliseum: $12
  • Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket: $12
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Berkeley by Zombie Scavengers: $16
  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Berkeley: $20
  • Comedy Oakland at The Washington Inn Show Tickets: $20
  • Self-Guided Oakland Tour in an Urban Excursion: $20
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Antioch by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Redwoods of Marin and Mt. Tamalpais Walking Tour with Local Guide: $59
  • Historic Houseboat Tour: $65
  • Small Group East Bay Beer Tour: $105
  • Oakland's Temescal Tastes Tour: $120
  • Classic Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour: $135

Tours and Activities in Saskatoon

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

  • Birdwatching Tour in President Murray Park: $70
  • Dancing Grouse Photography Tour: $405
  • Saskatoon, Canada: 8-hour tour to view Whooping Cranes: $691
  • Snowy Owl 12-hour Photography Tour: $691

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Berkeley $13
    Saskatoon $9.75

Sample the Local Flavors in Berkeley

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Berkeley:

  • Guided Wine Tasting at Berkeley Wineries with Local Sommelière : $175
  • Guided Wine Tasting with Local Sommelière: $175


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berkeley and Saskatoon, we can see that Berkeley is more expensive. And not only is Saskatoon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saskatoon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saskatoon 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 Berkeley would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berkeley than you might in Saskatoon.

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


Which is Bigger, Berkeley or Saskatoon?

Saskatoon has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Berkeley. When comparing the sizes of Berkeley and Saskatoon, 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.