Which place is cheaper, Niagara Falls or Calgary?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Calgary or Niagara Falls?
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 Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls?
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.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, Ontario sits on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, across the border from Niagara Falls, New York. Together these cities have claimed themselves to be the "Honeymoon Capital of the World" a status that is probably little more than a marketing ploy. That said, Niagara Falls, Ontario, is perhaps a quainter and more natural version of its American counterpart. The town has existed as a tourist destination for hundreds of years, with its main attraction, obviously, being Niagara Falls. Today, millions of visitors come to see the falls every year. It's truly an impressive sight, and there is no shortage of entertainment options while you're in the area.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCalgary $156Niagara Falls $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Calgary is $156, while the average daily cost in Niagara Falls is $123. 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 Niagara Falls in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCalgary $74Niagara Falls $75
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCalgary $148Niagara Falls $150
Compare Hotels in Calgary and Niagara Falls
Looking for a hotel in Calgary or Niagara Falls? 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 Niagara Falls Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Calgary $13Niagara Falls $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:
- Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Sunshine Village : $61
- Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Calgary Hotels: $64
- Alberta Transfer: Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary: $67
- Private Transfers during Calgary Stampede: $73
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Calgary Downtown - Calgary Airport (YYC): $77
- Private Transfer from YYC Airport to Kicking Horse or Panorama: $77
- Calgary Int Airport (YYC) to Fernie - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
- Private Transfer from Fernie to Calgary International Airport: $77
- One-Way Private Airport Transfer from Calgary to Calgary Airport: $80
- Prvt. Transfer YYC Airport to WinSport Olympic Park: $87
- Calgary Downtown Transfers: $87
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Calgary Airport (YYC) - Calgary Downtown: $88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Niagara Falls
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Niagara Falls:
- Private Departure Transfer to Buffalo Airport (BUF): $104
- Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) to Buffalo - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) to Buffalo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $84
- Buffalo Niagara Airport to Holiday Valley - Round-Trip Transfer: $266
- Buffalo Niagara Airport(BUF) to Holiday Valley - Arrival Transfer: $133
- Buffalo to Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) - Departure Private Transfer: $42
- Niagara Buffalo Airport Arrival: Private Transfer to Niagara Falls Ontario: $102
- Niagara Buffalo Airport Departure: Private Transfer to Buffalo Niagara Airport: $102
- Niagara Falls South Airport Private Transfer to Hamilton: $360
- Niagara Falls South Airport Private Transfer to Pearson: $1,851
- Private Arrival Transfer from Buffalo Airport (BUF): $96
- Private Arrival Transfer: Buffalo Niagara Airport to Niagara Falls, Ontario: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Calgary or Niagara Falls?
Prices for flights to both Niagara Falls 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
-
Food Meals for one dayCalgary $31Niagara Falls $28
Typical Food Prices in Calgary
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:
-
Bread, Chips, Cheese$8.18
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 Niagara Falls
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Niagara Falls.
- The Wing Ride: The Hidden History of Chicken Wings Food Tour: $105
- Walking Food Tour in Niagara Falls: $107
- Guided Night Tour w/ Dinner & Hotel Transfer: $141
- Niagara-on-the-Lake: Sunset Wine Tour with Dinner: $164
- Niagara Falls Evening Lights Tour With Skylon Tower Dinner: $192
- Niagara Wine Tasting and three courses Dinner: $192
- Night Tour w/ 3 Course Dinner & Light Show: $196
- Evening Lights Tour with Skylon Tower Dinner: $196
- Niagara Falls USA Night, Lights & Dinner : $199
- Night on Niagara Walking Tour with Fireworks Cruise + Dinner: $199
- Niagara Falls Canada: Small Group Night Tour w/Boat & Dinner: $218
- Night on Niagara Small Group Tour w/Fireworks Boat Cruise +Dinner: $229
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Calgary $16Niagara Falls $20
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:
- Calgary Tips-Based Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $5.00
- Bow River Trail Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.09
- Downtown Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.09
- Downtown Calgary a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.91
- Calgary's Beltline District: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.91
- Tips-Based City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $6.55
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Discover Calgary with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
- Rocky Mountains: Smartphone Driving and Walking Audio Tours: $15
- Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour: $23
- Heritage Park Historical Village Admission Ticket: $25
- Calgary self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $42
Typical Entertainment Prices in Niagara Falls
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Niagara Falls are as follows:
-
Maid of the Mist$38
Tours and Activities in Niagara Falls
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Niagara Falls are as follows:
- Niagara Peninsula Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $6.18
- Niagara Peninsula: a Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $7.39
- Niagara Legends of Adventure Admission Ticket: $11
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Niagara Adventure Theater: $11
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Niagara SkyWheel Ticket: $12
- Niagara SkyWheel Admission Ticket: $13
- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site Admission and Guided Tour: $13
- Niagara's Fury 4D Experience Entry Ticket: $14
- Epic Niagara Falls Canada Driving Tour: $15
- Niagara Falls, Canada: White Water Walk Entry Ticket: $16
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Skylon Tower Observation Deck Ticket: $16
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Bird Kingdom Entry Ticket: $18
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCalgary $11Niagara Falls $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
Sample the Local Flavors in Niagara Falls
Also in Niagara Falls, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Black Glass Wine Tasting: $23
- Wine Tasting and Nigerian Dwarf Goats Experience: $28
- Goat Yoga and Wine Tasting: $50
- Public Niagara Wine Tour with Transportation: $53
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation : $55
- Small Group Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tasting Tour: $95
- Sip, Swirl and Savour Chocolate & Wine Tour : $103
- 3.5 Hours NOTL E-Bike Wine Tour: $110
- Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour: $118
- Luxury Winery, Distillery & Craft Beer Tour in Niagara Region : $122
- Niagara Craft Brewery Tour Niagara Falls: $123
- Relaxing Afternoon Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $126
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Calgary and Niagara Falls, we can see that Calgary is more expensive. And not only is Niagara Falls much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Niagara Falls would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Calgary Expensive? and Is Niagara Falls Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Calgary or Niagara Falls?
Calgary has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Niagara Falls. When comparing the sizes of Calgary and Niagara Falls, 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.
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.