A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Calgary vs. Vancouver for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Calgary or Vancouver?

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 Vancouver 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 Vancouver?

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.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.

Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Calgary?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Calgary is $155, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $141. 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 Vancouver in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Calgary $73
    Vancouver $87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Calgary $146
    Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Calgary and Vancouver

Looking for a hotel in Calgary or Vancouver? 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.

Hotels in Calgary


Hotels in Vancouver


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 Vancouver Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Calgary $13
    Vancouver $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:

  • From Icefields Parkway Route Tour w/Hotel Transfers: $732
  • Private Transfer: Calgary to Lake Louise in Luxury Vehicle: $598
  • From Private Transfer to Lake Louise: $586
  • From Calgary Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Banff: $512
  • Private Transfer: Calgary to Banff or Canmore: $485
  • 3 Day Rocky Mountains Tour, Banff & Yoho National Park (Free Airport transfer): $477
  • Private Transfer to Banff, Canmore or Lake Louise: $476
  • Calgary Airport to Banff - Private Shuttle Transfer: $457
  • Private Transfer: Calgary Airport to Banff: $373
  • Banff To Calgary Airport - Private Transfer: $366
  • From Calgary Airport: Private Transfer to Banff by Tesla: $366
  • Shuttle Transfer Calgary to Banff: $359

Typical Local Transportation prices in Vancouver

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:


  • SkyTrain from Airport
    $6.38
  • Taxi from Airport to Downtown
    $21
  • 15 min Taxi Ride
    $8.75
  • SkyTrain DayPass
    $6.56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver

Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Vancouver YVR or Cruise Port to Vancouver by Minibus: $153
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Vancouver YVR or Cruise Port to Vancouver by SUV: $114
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Vancouver YVR or Port to Vancouver by Business Car: $102
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Vancouver Airport YVR to Vancouver in Business Car: $122
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Vancouver Airport YVR to Vancouver in Luxury Car: $165
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Vancouver Airport YVR to Vancouver in Luxury SUV: $135
  • Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $94
  • Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $94
  • Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $188
  • Canada Place Cruise Port: Transfer to Vancouver hotels: $435
  • Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Calgary or Vancouver?

Prices for flights to both Vancouver 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 day
    Calgary $31
    Vancouver $31
Typical Food prices in Calgary

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:


  • Bread, Chips, Cheese
    $8.13

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 Vancouver

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:


  • All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch
    $8.83

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver

For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $69
  • Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $82
  • Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $97
  • Private Historical Food Tour of Gastown : $104
  • 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner: $125
  • Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $126
  • Bowen Island Dinner and Zodiac Boat Tour by Vancouver Water Adventures: $141
  • Festive Dinner Cruise: $144
  • Vancouver Holiday Festive Dinner Cruises: $146
  • Vancouver Harbor Sunset Dinner Cruise: $156
  • 4-Hour Bowen Island Festival of Lights Boat Tour with Dinner from Vancouver: $193
  • Private Food Tour Tailored to You by a Local: $229

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Calgary $16
    Vancouver $36
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:

  • Classic Banff Day Tour: Banff, Sulphur Mountain, Johnston Canyon : $118
  • Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & Banff Tour: $410
  • 1 Day Tour in Rocky Mountain Banff National Park: $129
  • 2 Day Guided Tour in Banff National Park: $297
  • 2-Day Private Tour in Jasper National Park: $1,868
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Calgary's Highlights: $239
  • 2-Hour Scooter Tour of Calgary's City Highlights: $66
  • 3 Day Rockies Tour, travel Banff & Columbia Icefield from Calgary: $487
  • 3 Day Rocky Mountains Columbia Icefields Banff and Yoho NP Tour: $487
  • 3 Days Surprise Rocky Mountain Tour: Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper: $663
  • 3-Day Columbia Icefield & Jasper Tour from Calgary,airport pickup: $459
  • 3-Day Rockies Adventure in Johnston Canyon & Lake Louise : $505

Tours and Activities in Vancouver

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.

  • Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.76
  • Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.85
  • Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.12
  • 3-hour Tips-Based City Walking Tour: $5.13
  • Fort Langley: a Film & Television Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.22
  • Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.22
  • 3-Hour Tips-Based Walking Tour of Vancouver: $5.23
  • Cycling the Seawall: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Along the Stanley Park Seawall: $5.46
  • Bloedel Conservatory Admission Ticket: $5.80
  • Vancouver Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.72
  • Historic Walking Tours of Vancouver with Then & Now Images!: $6.72

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Calgary $11
    Vancouver $16

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 Tour: $90

Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:

  • Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
  • 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $84
  • Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour: $90
  • Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour Led by a Local: $90
  • Vancouver Behind-the-Scenes Brewery Tour: $93
  • Brewery Tour of the Sunshine Coast: $111
  • From Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $115
  • Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $123
  • Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $126
  • Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
  • Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $134
  • Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $149

How are these travel costs calculated?

When comparing the travel costs between Calgary and Vancouver, we can see that Calgary is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

Which is Bigger, Calgary or Vancouver?

Vancouver is bigger, and its population is about 80% larger than the population of Calgary. When comparing the population of Calgary vs. Vancouver, 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 and the activities 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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
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Calgary vs. Vancouver Travel Comparison

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