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

Should you visit Calgary or Saskatoon?

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 Saskatoon 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. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Calgary travel costs.

Saskatoon

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

Calgary and Saskatoon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calgary or Saskatoon?

You'll generally find more things to do in Calgary than Saskatoon. Calgary is bigger than Saskatoon, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Calgary is more touristy than Saskatoon and is known for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede. Also, Calgary is famous for Calgary Olympic Park. Saskatoon is well known for its agriculture and outdoor spaces.

How is Calgary different from Saskatoon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon?

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Calgary and Saskatoon.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saskatoon. There are some museums and historical sites to check out such as Fort Battleford National Historic Site, Batoche National Historic Site, and the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.

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

Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon. There's a great food scene around town with diverse restaurants and cuisines to choose from. You can sample dim sum, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, and many more.

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 Saskatoon Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Saskatoon has a few options to choose from. There are enough clubs and bars around town to keep things entertaining. Most cater to a younger crowd, but the vibe is fun and full of energy.

Is the Shopping Better in Calgary or Saskatoon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Saskatoon 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.

Saskatoon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. A number of brands have opened stores in the downtown area in recent years, so the shopping scene continues to grow and diversify.

Is Calgary or Saskatoon Better for Families?

Both Calgary and Saskatoon are notable 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.

Saskatoon offers lots of family activities. It's filled with indoor and outdoor play areas. Make sure you check out the Nutrien Wonderhub as well as the countless playgrounds around town.

Is Calgary or Saskatoon Better for Couples?

Both Calgary and Saskatoon 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.

Saskatoon is a good city for couples to visit. There are plenty of evening activities like dining out at a nice restaurant or taking in a show at the Persephone Theatre.

Is Calgary or Saskatoon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Calgary is a good destination for backpackers. However, Saskatoon is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Saskatoon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers skip this town in favor of more popular destinations.

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

Calgary is a good destination for its public transit. However, Saskatoon is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Saskatoon. There is a bus system around town.

Is Calgary or Saskatoon a more walkable city?

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

Saskatoon is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown is walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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 Saskatoon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saskatoon or Calgary?

How long in Calgary or Saskatoon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Calgary and Saskatoon. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saskatoon than in Calgary. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Calgary, and 1-3 days is enough time in Saskatoon.

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

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Calgary. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Calgary has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Saskatoon, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Saskatoon?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the local destination of Calgary. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Saskatoon, you'll find food 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 Saskatoon has to offer.

Five days in Calgary or Saskatoon?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the authentic city of Calgary. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon?

Calgary is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saskatoon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saskatoon. 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 Saskatoon, we can see that Calgary is more expensive. And not only is Saskatoon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saskatoon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon.

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

Which is Bigger, Calgary or Saskatoon?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Saskatoon. When comparing the sizes of Calgary and Saskatoon, 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.