Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Calgary?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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.
Calgary
Calgary is a western, local, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Calgary travel costs.
Toronto
Toronto is a diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Toronto travel costs.
Calgary and Toronto: Pros and Cons
Calgary
Pros- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Less museums and historical sights
- Less popular for food
- Less popular for nightlife
- Less popular for shopping
- Public transit not as usable
- Less walkable
Toronto
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Popular for food and cuisine
- Active nightlife
- Fun shopping
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Good for students
- Good public transit
- Very walkable
- Big city activities
Is there more to do in Calgary or Toronto?
Tourists will generally find more to do in Toronto than Calgary. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Calgary is famous for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede. Toronto is famous for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also well known for the CN Tower.
How is Calgary different from Toronto?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Toronto 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 Toronto?
Calgary
Toronto
Toronto is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.
The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Toronto are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calgary. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.
Is the Food Better in Calgary or Toronto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?
Calgary
Toronto
Toronto is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.
Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Toronto. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.
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 Toronto Better for Nightlife?
Calgary
Toronto
Toronto is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.
The nightlife in Toronto is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.
If you're looking for night time activities Calgary has a few options to choose from. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.
Is the Shopping Better in Calgary or Toronto?
Calgary
Toronto
Toronto is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.
The abundance of shops in Toronto make it a world-class shopping destination. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.
Calgary has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.
Is Calgary or Toronto Better for Families?
Calgary
Toronto
Toronto is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Toronto is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.
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 Toronto Better for Couples?
Calgary
Toronto
Toronto is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.
Couples visit Toronto frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.
Calgary is a good city for couples to visit. 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.
Is Calgary or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Calgary
Toronto
Toronto is well known for backpackers. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.
Toronto is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.
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.
Is Calgary or Toronto Better for Students?
Calgary
Toronto
Toronto is an unbeatable place for students. However, Calgary is not popular with students.
Toronto is a very popular city for students. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.
Calgary is not popular with students.
Is Calgary or Toronto Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?
Calgary
Toronto
Toronto is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.
Visitors in Toronto can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.
While Calgary offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.
Is Calgary or Toronto a more walkable city?
Calgary
Toronto
Toronto is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.
Toronto is a very walkable city. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.
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 Toronto Worth Visiting?.
Should I spend more time in Toronto or Calgary?
How long in Calgary or Toronto?
Both Calgary and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than in Calgary. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Calgary, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.
Families should spend more time in Toronto than Calgary. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Toronto, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Toronto than Calgary. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Toronto that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toronto than Calgary 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 Toronto.
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How many days in Calgary or Toronto? Ideal Length of StayCalgary 1-2Toronto 3-7
One day in Calgary or Toronto?
In Calgary, you'll find museums 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.
Because Toronto is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
A weekend in Calgary or Toronto?
In Calgary, you'll find nightlife 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 Calgary has to offer.
Because Toronto is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Five days in Calgary or Toronto?
Calgary 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.
Toronto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Toronto has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
A week in Calgary or Toronto?
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calgary. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calgary. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toronto. Because Toronto is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
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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Calgary Prices
Canada PricesToronto Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCalgary $168Toronto $237
The average daily cost (per person) in Calgary is $168, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $237. 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 $69Toronto $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCalgary $138Toronto $162
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 $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:
- Private Transfers during Calgary Stampede: $71
- Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary by Luxury SUV: $123
- Private Transfer within Calgary from Airport or Hotels: $108
- Private Transfer from Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Luxury SUV: $126
- Private Transfer from Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Business Car: $106
- Private Transfer from Calgary Airport (YYC) to Calgary Hotels: $125
- Private Shuttle from Calgary/ YYCAirport/Canmore/Banff Transfers: $71
- One-Way Private Airport Transfer from Calgary to Calgary Airport: $77
- One-Way Private Airport Transfer from Calgary Airport to Calgary: $77
- Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Johnston Canyon Tour with Transfer: $130
- From Bus Transfer to Jasper: $152
- From Bus Transfer to Banff: $59
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
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Airport Shuttle$25
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Train: 2 Day Passes$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer:- Toronto Pearson Airport to Waterloo Black Car Service: $90
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto Airport YYZ to Niagara Falls in Luxury SUV: $191
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto YYZ Airport to Toronto City by Business Car: $71
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto YYZ Airport to Toronto City by SUV or Minibus: $76
- Arrival Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto by Luxury SUV: $160
- Arrival Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Sedan Car: $149
- Convenient bus transfer between Hamilton Airport and Toronto: $18
- Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by Business Car: $59
- Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by SUV or Minibus: $66
- Departure Private Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ in Luxury Car: $149
- Departure Private Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ in Luxury Van: $130
- Departure Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ by Luxury SUV: $160
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 $51Toronto $106
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$7.67
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: $78
- Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour: $124
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$22
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Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)$53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Premium Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $60
- Toronto Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $65
- Mother's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $69
- Father's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $69
- Kensington Market 'Taste the World' Food Tour: $71
- Must-Do Toronto Food Tour by Toronto's First Food Tour Company: $71
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $71
- 3–Hour Secret Food Tour: $73
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $75
- Taste of the Continents: International Food Tour : $79
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Dinner & Illumination Tower: $83
- Kensington Market International Food Tour: $91
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Calgary $15Toronto $29
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)$21
Tours and Activities in Calgary
Here are a few actual costs in Calgary for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Yoho Tour | Moraine Lake | Johnston Canyon | From Calgary: $79
- 1 Hour Shared Winter Sleigh Ride Experience in Kananaskis: $39
- 11 Hour Banff Winter Wonderland Tour in Alberta: $97
- 2 Day Guided Tour in Banff National Park: $279
- 2 Day Tour Explore Banff National Park and Rocky mountains: $206
- 6-Hour Private City Tour Drive to Calgary Tower: $670
- Banff Area & Johnston Canyon 1-Day Tour from Calgary or Banff: $115
- Banff Explorer™ Private Tour with Moraine Lake & Lake Louise: $705
- Banff Lakes and Canyon Adventure: $79
- Banff National Park Exclusive Small Group Tour: $69
- Banff National Park: Full-Day Adventure: $155
- Banff Wildlife Explore and Johnston Canyon Icewalk Tour: $76
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$34
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Harbour Dinner Cruise$25
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Bata Shoe Museum (2)$6.88
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore Niagara Falls with bus ticket from/to Toronto: $3.52
- Best of Toronto and Waterfront Self-Guided Tours: $3.74
- Old Town Toronto History Walking Tour: $4.33
- City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $4.94
- Toronto City Highlights Walking Tour | Tips-Based | 3-Hour: $5.00
- Historical Ghost Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Downtown Hamilton: $6.99
- Toronto's Waterfront: Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
- Toronto's Waterfront: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.93
- Kensington Market, Chinatown and the Art Gallery of Ontario: A Self-Guided Tour: $7.99
- Toronto Old Town: The Dark Side Exploration Game and Tour: $8.01
- Bata Shoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $9.87
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Toronto by 3Quest Challenge: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCalgary $10Toronto $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Calgary
Also in Calgary, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Calgary Bar Crawl: Cruisin' Calgary: $12
- Calgary Brewery and Wine Tours at Award Winning Venues: $80
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $20
- Toronto Distillery District Walking Tour: $20
- Spirits of the Distillery District Ghost Tour: $24
- Illuminarium Toronto in the Distillery District: $25
- Distillery & Old Town Private Walking Tour: $25
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $26
- Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $34
- 30-Minute Distillery District Segway Tour in Toronto: $35
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $37
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $37
- Toronto Distillery & Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $37
- Toronto Distillery District Self-Guided Walking Tour: $41
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.