A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Calgary vs. Kamloops for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Calgary or Kamloops?

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 Kamloops 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 local, authentic, and western city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a nature-filled, laid-back, and outdoorsy city. And you can't forget about the skiing, nightlife, and food.

Calgary and Kamloops: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calgary or Kamloops?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Kamloops than Calgary. While Calgary is larger than Kamloops, Kamloops has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamloops is better known for its skiing, food, and hiking, while Calgary is more popular for its museums. Calgary is more touristy than Kamloops and is popular for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede. Kamloops is well known for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses. Also, Kamloops is famous for Sun Peaks Resort.

How is Calgary different from Kamloops?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Calgary or Kamloops Better for Skiing?

Kamloops is well known for winter skiing. However, Calgary is not a skiing destination.

People head to Kamloops specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

Calgary is not a skiing destination.

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

Calgary is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its 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.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

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

Kamloops is a city with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Kamloops. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

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 Calgary or Kamloops Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Kamloops has a few options to choose from. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

Is Calgary or Kamloops Better for Hiking?

Kamloops is a city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Kamloops. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Calgary or Kamloops?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Kamloops and Calgary.

Calgary offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Kamloops has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.

Is Calgary or Kamloops Better for Families?

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

Kamloops is a very kid-friendly city. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

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 Calgary or Kamloops Better for Couples?

Both Calgary and Kamloops are notable 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.

Kamloops is a good city for couples to visit. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Calgary or Kamloops Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Calgary is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for backpackers.

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

Kamloops is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's often overlooked by backpackers, but there is a hostel in town.

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

Calgary is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

Is Calgary or Kamloops a more walkable city?

Calgary and Kamloops both are respectable when exploring on foot.

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

Kamloops is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Kamloops or Calgary?

How long in Calgary or Kamloops?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Calgary than Kamloops 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 Kamloops?

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 Kamloops, you'll find skiing 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 Kamloops?

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 Kamloops, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Kamloops has to offer.

Five days in Calgary or Kamloops?

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.

Kamloops 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 Kamloops?

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

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

Which is Bigger, Calgary or Kamloops?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kamloops. When comparing the sizes of Calgary and Kamloops, 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.