A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Calgary vs. Edmonton for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Calgary or Edmonton?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Calgary and Edmonton 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.

Calgary

Calgary is a western, local, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Calgary travel costs.

Edmonton

Edmonton is a authentic, friendly, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Edmonton travel costs.

Calgary and Edmonton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calgary or Edmonton?

Both Edmonton and Calgary have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Calgary is more touristy than Edmonton and is known for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede. Edmonton is famous for its many festivals and lively personality.

How is Calgary different from Edmonton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edmonton is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Edmonton. You'll find a number of good museums around town such as the Royal Alberta Museum, Muttart Conservatory, the Alberta Aviation Museum, and the Art Gallery of Alberta.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calgary. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Calgary and Edmonton can be an enjoyable experience.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Calgary. 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.

Edmonton may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. You'll find a mix of casual cafes, international eateries, and more upscale dining options.

Is Calgary or Edmonton Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Calgary and Edmonton.

Calgary has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

If you're looking for night time activities Edmonton has a few options to choose from. There's a mix of nightclubs, bars, and breweries around town. Head to Jasper Avenue for the high end clubs or check out a live show at one of the active theaters around town.

Is the Shopping Better in Calgary or Edmonton?

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

Edmonton is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is home to the West Edmonton Mall, which is the largest shopping mall in Canada, and among the largest in the world. The mall includes hundreds of shops, restaurants, a hotel, ice rink, movie theaters, an aquarium, and Galaxyland, which is one of the largest indoor amusement parks in the world. The mall is divided into themed sections that represent iconic places from around the world such as Europa Boulevard and Bourbon Street.

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 Calgary or Edmonton Better for Families?

Both Calgary and Edmonton are nice to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calgary. 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.

Edmonton offers lots of family activities. Many families live in town so if you're visiting for a few days you'll find plenty to do with kids. Most of the activities are concentrated in the downtown areas and along the south side of the North Saskatchewan River. The whole family will enjoy a visit to Telus World of Science. There's also the Edmonton Valley Zoo, the Alberta Aviation Museum, and Galaxyland, as well as many other activities.

Is Calgary or Edmonton Better for Couples?

Both Calgary and Edmonton are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Calgary makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Edmonton is a good city for couples to visit. There's a good theater scene, so you can enjoy dinner and a show. There are also quaint cafes, mellow breweries, and plenty of cultural activities like art museums.

Is Calgary or Edmonton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Calgary is very good for backpackers. However, Edmonton is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Calgary is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

Edmonton is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers overlook this city, but there is a hostel in town where you can stay.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Calgary and Edmonton.

You'll find some public transit in Calgary, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.

While Edmonton offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has both bus and light rail systems.

Is Calgary or Edmonton a more walkable city?

Edmonton is a city with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Edmonton is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of the city that are very walkable.

Calgary is generally not a very walkable city. 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 Calgary Worth Visiting? and Is Edmonton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Edmonton or Calgary?

How long in Calgary or Edmonton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Calgary or Edmonton to fill your time. In our opinion, Edmonton has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Edmonton than Calgary. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Calgary than Edmonton 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 Calgary.

One day in Calgary or Edmonton?

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

In Edmonton, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Calgary or Edmonton?

Calgary 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 Calgary, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Edmonton, you'll find nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edmonton has to offer.

Five days in Calgary or Edmonton?

Calgary 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.

Edmonton is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Calgary or Edmonton?

Calgary 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edmonton. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Edmonton. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Canada, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Calgary and Edmonton, we can see that Edmonton is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Calgary or Edmonton?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Edmonton. When comparing the sizes of Calgary and Edmonton, 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.