Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Duck?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Duck or Calgary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Duck or Calgary? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Duck or Calgary?
Duck
Duck is a resort town in Dare County, North Carolina. The town is quite small, with a year around population of just 369, but during the peak summer months the tourist crowds can climb to over 20,000. Duck is also the northernmost incorporated town in the county, and also the newest town in the Outer Banks, having been incorporated on May 1st, 2002.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDuck $188Calgary $154
The average daily cost (per person) in Duck is $188, while the average daily cost in Calgary is $154. 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 Duck and Calgary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDuck $107Calgary $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDuck $214Calgary $146
Compare Hotels in Duck and Calgary
Looking for a hotel in Duck or Calgary? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Duck $66Calgary $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:
- Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Sunshine Village : $60
- Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Calgary Hotels: $63
- Alberta Transfer: Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary: $67
- Calgary Int Airport (YYC) to Fernie - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Calgary Downtown Transfers: $88
- Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Airport (YYC) - Calgary Downtown: $91
- Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Downtown - Calgary Airport (YYC): $91
- Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Business Car: $108
- Private Transfer: Calgary Airport to Downtown: $111
- Calgary hotel or address to Calgary Airport (YYC) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary by Luxury SUV: $119
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Calgary Airport (YYC) -Calgary Downtown: $121
Is it cheaper to fly into Duck or Calgary?
Prices for flights to both Calgary and Duck 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 dayDuck $45Calgary $31
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Duck $13Calgary $15
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:
- Bow River Trail Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Downtown Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Downtown Calgary a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
- 3-Hour Tips Based Walking Tour of Calgary: $5.46
- 3-hour Tips-Based City Walking Tour: $6.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Rocky Mountains: Smartphone Driving and Walking Audio Tours: $15
- Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour: $21
- Heritage Park Historical Village Admission Ticket: $26
- Calgary self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
- Sheep & Spirits: Diamond Valley Hiking Experience: $39
- 3-Hour Sightseeing Bus Tour: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDuck $45Calgary $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
- Calgary Brewery Tour: $89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck and Calgary, we can see that Duck 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 Duck would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Duck 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 Duck Expensive? and Is Calgary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Duck or Calgary?
Calgary has a larger population, and is about 1810 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Duck and Calgary, 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.