A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Edmonton vs. Kamloops for Attractions, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Edmonton or Kamloops?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Edmonton and Kamloops can help you decide which place is right for you.

Edmonton

Edmonton is a authentic, friendly, and cultural city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a outdoorsy, nature-filled, and laid-back city. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and skiing.

Edmonton and Kamloops: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edmonton or Kamloops?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Kamloops than Edmonton. While Edmonton is larger than Kamloops, Kamloops has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamloops is very popular for its skiing, food, and hiking, while Edmonton attracts visitors for its museums and shopping. Edmonton is famous for its many festivals and lively personality. Kamloops is famous for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses. It is also well known for Sun Peaks Resort.

How is Edmonton different from Kamloops?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kamloops and Edmonton. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Edmonton or Kamloops Better for Skiing?

Kamloops is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Edmonton is not a skiing destination.

Kamloops is an extremely popular place for snow skiing and other winter sports. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

Edmonton is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Edmonton or Kamloops?

Edmonton is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Edmonton. You'll find a number of good museums around town such as the Royal Alberta Museum, Muttart Conservatory, the Alberta Aviation Museum, and the Art Gallery of Alberta.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

Is the Food Better in Edmonton or Kamloops? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kamloops is very good for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Edmonton is not a good city for its restaurants.

Kamloops offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Edmonton. You'll find a mix of casual cafes, international eateries, and more upscale dining options.

Is Edmonton or Kamloops Better for Nightlife?

Both Edmonton and Kamloops are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Edmonton. There's a mix of nightclubs, bars, and breweries around town. Head to Jasper Avenue for the high end clubs or check out a live show at one of the active theaters around town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kamloops. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

Is Edmonton or Kamloops Better for Hiking?

Kamloops is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Edmonton is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Kamloops. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Edmonton is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Edmonton or Kamloops?

Edmonton is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Edmonton is well-known for its shopping. The city is home to the West Edmonton Mall, which is the largest shopping mall in Canada, and among the largest in the world. The mall includes hundreds of shops, restaurants, a hotel, ice rink, movie theaters, an aquarium, and Galaxyland, which is one of the largest indoor amusement parks in the world. The mall is divided into themed sections that represent iconic places from around the world such as Europa Boulevard and Bourbon Street.

Many visitors go to Kamloops to go shopping. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.

Is Edmonton or Kamloops Better for Families?

Kamloops is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Edmonton is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Kamloops is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

Edmonton is a family-friendly city. Many families live in town so if you're visiting for a few days you'll find plenty to do with kids. Most of the activities are concentrated in the downtown areas and along the south side of the North Saskatchewan River. The whole family will enjoy a visit to Telus World of Science. There's also the Edmonton Valley Zoo, the Alberta Aviation Museum, and Galaxyland, as well as many other activities.

Is Edmonton or Kamloops Better for Couples?

Both Edmonton and Kamloops are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Edmonton is a nice destination for couples. There's a good theater scene, so you can enjoy dinner and a show. There are also quaint cafes, mellow breweries, and plenty of cultural activities like art museums.

Kamloops makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Edmonton or Kamloops Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Edmonton is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its public transit.

Edmonton has some public transit options. The city has both bus and light rail systems.

Public transit is generally limited in Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

Is Edmonton or Kamloops a more walkable city?

Edmonton is a city with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Edmonton is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of the city that are very walkable.

Kamloops is generally not very walkable. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Edmonton Worth Visiting? and Is Kamloops Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamloops or Edmonton?

How long in Edmonton or Kamloops?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Edmonton or Kamloops to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edmonton than Kamloops 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 Edmonton.

One day in Edmonton or Kamloops?

The city of Edmonton offers nightlife and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The city of Kamloops offers nightlife and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Edmonton or Kamloops?

Edmonton is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Edmonton, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kamloops is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kamloops, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Edmonton or Kamloops?

Edmonton is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Kamloops is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Edmonton or Kamloops?

Edmonton is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Kamloops is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Edmonton and Kamloops, we can see that Edmonton is more expensive. And not only is Kamloops much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kamloops would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kamloops 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 Edmonton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edmonton than you might in Kamloops.

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

Which is Bigger, Edmonton or Kamloops?

Edmonton has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kamloops. When comparing the sizes of Edmonton and Kamloops, 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.