Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Calgary?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Calgary or Toronto?
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 Toronto 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 Toronto?
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.
Toronto
The capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a very popular travel destination for any number of reasons. It's positioned along the coast of Lake Ontario and has a population of more than 2.6 million with 6.2 million in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a very international and diverse city, with a very rich cultural history. More than half of the city's population was not born in Canada, and there are more than eighty different ethnic neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the city. The city is a center for music, theater, film, and television. It has countless museums, festivals, and sights that attract more than 25 million tourists every year.
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 $154Toronto $203
The average daily cost (per person) in Calgary is $154, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $203. 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 Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCalgary $73Toronto $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCalgary $146Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Calgary and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Calgary or Toronto? 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 Toronto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Calgary $12Toronto $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:
- Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Downtown - Calgary Airport (YYC): $91
- Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Airport (YYC) - Calgary Downtown: $91
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Calgary Downtown - Calgary Airport (YYC): $61
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Calgary Airport (YYC) - Calgary Downtown: $61
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Calgary Airport (YYC) -Calgary Downtown: $121
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Calgary Airport (YYC) -Calgary: $181
- Private Transfer: Calgary Airport to Downtown: $110
- Private Transfer from YYC Airport to Kicking Horse or Panorama: $76
- Private Transfer from Fernie to Calgary International Airport: $76
- Private Transfer from Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Luxury Van: $128
- Private Transfer from Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Business Car: $108
- Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Sunshine Village : $60
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
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Airport Shuttle$26
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Train: 2 Day Passes$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Toronto Pearson Airport to Toronto: $63
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Luxury Car: $151
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Luxury Van: $157
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto Airport YYZ to Niagara Falls in Business Car: $292
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto YYZ Airport to Toronto City by SUV or Minibus: $76
- Arrival Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Sedan Car: $151
- Convenient bus transfer between Hamilton Airport and Toronto: $3.63
- Departure Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ in Luxury SUV: $173
- Departure Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ in Sedan Car: $151
- Hamilton to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Low Cost:-Private Transfer: Niagara Falls Canada to Toronto Pearson Airport: $212
- One Way: from/to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) - Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Calgary or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto 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 $31Toronto $65
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
Typical Food Prices in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch at St. Lawrence Market for Two$23
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Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)$56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Must Do Toronto Food Tour: $66
- 3–Hour Secret Food Tour: $72
- Toronto Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $72
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $73
- Scenic Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $75
- Kensington Market -Toronto's Neighborhood International Food Tour: $79
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Father's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $90
- Mother's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $90
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $109
- Toronto Food Tour with Local Foodie, Personalized & Private: $150
- Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour With Boat Cruise & Dinner (optional): $155
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Calgary $15Toronto $31
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:
- Classic Banff DayTour: Banff, Bow Falls, Johnston Canyon : $134
- 1 Day Tour in Rocky Mountain Banff National Park: $155
- 1 Day Tour in Rocky Mountain Yoho National Park: $155
- 2 Day Scenic Tour in Calgary Banff Lake Louise Moraine Lake: $222
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Calgary's Highlights: $237
- 2-Hour Scooter Tour of Calgary's City Highlights: $68
- 3-Hour Bike Tour of Calgary, E-Bike Upgrade Options Available: $101
- 3-Hour Street Art Tour of Calgary with Craft Beer Tastings: $101
- Banff Area & Johnston Canyon 1-Day Tour from Calgary or Banff: $114
- Banff Deep 1 Day Tour in Banff National Park: $172
- Banff Hot Springs - Gondola - Wildlife Tour from Calgary/Banff: $116
- Banff Tour with Gondola & Lake Cruise - roundtrip from Calgary: $239
Typical Entertainment Prices in Toronto
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Gallery of Ontario for Two$15
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CN Tower at night for Two$36
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Harbour Dinner Cruise$26
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Bata Shoe Museum (2)$7.26
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Free Walking Tour in Toronto with Local Guide: $3.56
- Explore Niagara Falls with bus ticket from/to Toronto: $3.63
- Downtown City Landmarks Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.27
- Toronto Beneath The Surface Walking Tour: $4.45
- Downtown Toronto Walking Tour: $4.45
- City Highlights Walking Tour: $5.09
- Kensington Market, Chinatown and the Art Gallery of Ontario: A Self-Guided Tour: $5.99
- Kensington Market: Downtown Toronto Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Toronto's Waterfront: Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.17
- Between Huntsville and Smartphone Audio Tour: $6.17
- Explore Canada's Metropolis with Walking Tours Through Toronto: $6.66
- Best of Toronto and Waterfront Self-Guided Tour: $8.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCalgary $11Toronto $22
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 Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Distillery District Outdoor Escape Game: $7.99
- Finest Whisky Exploration Game in Toronto Distillery District: $8.15
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $17
- Spirits of the Distillery District Ghost Tour: $21
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $27
- Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $35
- Distillery District Breakfast Tour: $36
- Toronto Distillery District self-guided walking tour & hunt: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $39
- Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $40
- Toronto Distillery District Self-Guided Walking Tour: $43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Calgary and Toronto, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Calgary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Calgary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Calgary 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto than you might in Calgary.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Calgary Expensive? and Is Toronto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Calgary or Toronto?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Calgary. When comparing the sizes of Calgary and Toronto, 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.