Which place is cheaper, Jasper National Park or Calgary?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Calgary or Jasper National Park?
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 Jasper National Park 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: Calgary or Jasper National Park?
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.
Jasper National Park
An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jasper National Park, located in Canada's Alberta Province, is one of a few national and provincial parks that showcase the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCalgary $154Jasper National Park $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Calgary is $154, while the average daily cost in Jasper National Park is $82. 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 Calgary and Jasper National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCalgary $73Jasper National Park $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCalgary $146Jasper National Park $90
Compare Hotels in Calgary and Jasper National Park
Looking for a hotel in Calgary or Jasper National Park? 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: Calgary Hotel Prices and Jasper National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Calgary $12Jasper National Park $19
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 Luxury Van: $128
- Banff To Calgary Airport - Private Transfer: $363
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Banff Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $276
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Jasper Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $169
- Calgary Airport to Banff Thermal Resorts Private Arrival Transfer: $138
- Calgary Airport to Kicking Horse Private Round Trip Transfer: $152
- Calgary Airport to Sunshine Village Private Round-Trip Transfer: $120
- Calgary Downtown Transfers: $87
- Calgary Int Airport (YYC) to Fernie - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Field - Roundtrip Transfer: $250
- Calgary Intl Airport (YYC) to Cranbrook- Arrival Private Transfer: $174
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jasper National Park
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jasper National Park are as follows:
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Park Pass$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jasper National Park
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jasper National Park:
- Jasper Thermal Resorts to Calgary Airport YYC Departure Transfer: $168
- Jasper Thermal to Edmonton Airport (YEG) Departure Transfer: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Calgary or Jasper National Park?
Prices for flights to both Jasper National Park and Calgary 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 dayCalgary $31Jasper National Park $23
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jasper National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Jasper National Park.
- Half-Day Jasper Culture Food Tour: $106
- Peak Nic - A hike and an outdoor cooking lesson: $119
- 4-Hours E-Bike Food Tour : $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Calgary $15Jasper National Park $7.75
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:
- Ottawa: First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
- Downtown Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.08
- Bow River Trail Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.08
- Downtown Calgary a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.18
- 3-hour Tips-Based City Walking Tour: $6.54
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- 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
- Heritage Park Historical Village Admission Ticket: $25
- Calgary self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
- Big Boat Canoe Tour: $44
Tours and Activities in Jasper National Park
Here are a few actual costs in Jasper National Park for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Icefields Parkway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Live Theater Show Ticket 'From Jasper with love': $24
- From Jasper: Jasper National Park Wildlife Discovery Tour: $53
- Planetarium and Telescope Combo Tour : $54
- Winter Wildlife Discovery Tour: $55
- Maligne Canyon Hiking Tour: $59
- Jasper National Park Tour: Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake and Spirit Island: $59
- Morning Jasper National Park Wildlife Tour: $63
- Jasper Evening Wildlife Tour: $63
- Maligne Lake Cruise: $67
- Jasper Wildlife and Waterfalls Tour with Maligne Lake Hike: $71
- Class 3 Sunwapta River Rafting Adventure in Jasper: $94
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCalgary $11Jasper National Park $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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Calgary and Jasper National Park, we can see that Calgary is more expensive. And not only is Jasper National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jasper National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jasper National Park 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 Jasper National Park.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Calgary Expensive? and Is Jasper National Park Expensive?.
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.