A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Blue Ridge vs. Calgary for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Calgary?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Blue Ridge and Calgary. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Blue Ridge or Calgary?

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a resort town, located in the northern part of Georgia in the vicinity of the Blue Ridge Mountain region of the Appalachian Mountain chain. It is a popular destination for outdoor adventures like hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and even whitewater rafting. Whether you wish to stay in a cozy cabin or luxury resort, the environment is one enveloped by the natural beauty of mountain scenery.

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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Blue Ridge?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Blue Ridge is $124, 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 Blue Ridge and Calgary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Blue Ridge $67
    Calgary $73
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Blue Ridge $134
    Calgary $146
Compare Hotels in Blue Ridge and Calgary

Looking for a hotel in Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge


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: Blue Ridge Hotel Prices and Calgary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Blue Ridge $34
    Calgary $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:

  • Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Downtown - Calgary Airport (YYC): $91
  • Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Airport (YYC) to Calgary Downtown: $138
  • Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Airport (YYC) - Calgary Downtown: $91
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Calgary Airport (YYC) -Calgary Downtown: $121
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Calgary Airport (YYC) -Calgary: $181
  • Private Transfer: Calgary Airport to Downtown: $111
  • Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary by Luxury SUV: $119
  • Private Transfer from Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Luxury Van: $128
  • Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Sunshine Village : $60
  • Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Calgary Hotels: $63
  • Private Calgary to Banff One-way Transfer in Luxury Car: $296
  • Lake Louise: Calgary to Lake Louise Private Transfer 1 Way: $474

Is it cheaper to fly into Blue Ridge or Calgary?

Prices for flights to both Calgary and Blue Ridge 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
    Blue Ridge $35
    Calgary $31

Typical Food Prices in Calgary

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


  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Blue Ridge $18
    Calgary $15

Tours and Activities in Blue Ridge

For Blue Ridge, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Hour Culture Tour in Helen: $25
  • 2-Hour Helen Haunts and History Walk Tour: $29

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)
    $22

Tours and Activities in Calgary

Here are a few actual costs in Calgary for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 Day Yoho Tour | Moraine Lake | Johnston Canyon | From Calgary: $118
  • 2 Days Jasper and Banff Tour from Calgary: $163
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Calgary's Highlights: $238
  • 2-Hour Scooter Tour of Calgary's City Highlights: $68
  • 3-Hour Bike Tour of Calgary, E-Bike Upgrade Options Available: $101
  • 3-Hour Street Art Tour of Calgary with Craft Beer Tastings: $101
  • 3-Hour Tips Based Walking Tour of Calgary: $5.46
  • Banff Area & Johnston Canyon 1-Day Tour from Calgary or Banff: $119
  • Banff Deep 1 Day Tour in Banff National Park: $171
  • Banff, Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tour from Calgary, Canmore: $96
  • Calgary City Sightseeing Tour: $162
  • Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Blue Ridge $20
    Calgary $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: $89


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Blue Ridge and Calgary, we can see that Calgary is more expensive. And not only is Blue Ridge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Blue Ridge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge.

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


Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 860 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge 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.