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

Should you visit Edmonton or Saskatoon?

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 Saskatoon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Edmonton

Edmonton is a authentic, friendly, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Edmonton travel costs.

Saskatoon

Saskatoon is a cultural, friendly, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Saskatoon travel costs.

Edmonton and Saskatoon: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Edmonton or Saskatoon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Edmonton than Saskatoon. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Edmonton is very popular for its museums and attractions and shopping, while Saskatoon attracts visitors for its food. Edmonton is famous for its many festivals and lively personality. It is also well known for the West Edmonton Mall. Saskatoon is famous for its agriculture and outdoor spaces.

How is Edmonton different from Saskatoon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edmonton
Saskatoon

Edmonton is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Saskatoon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saskatoon. There are some museums and historical sites to check out such as Fort Battleford National Historic Site, Batoche National Historic Site, and the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.


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

Edmonton
Saskatoon

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

Saskatoon offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There's a great food scene around town with diverse restaurants and cuisines to choose from. You can sample dim sum, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, and many more.

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 Saskatoon Better for Nightlife?

Edmonton
Saskatoon

Both Edmonton and Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon. There are enough clubs and bars around town to keep things entertaining. Most cater to a younger crowd, but the vibe is fun and full of energy.

Is the Shopping Better in Edmonton or Saskatoon?

Edmonton
Saskatoon

Edmonton is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Saskatoon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Edmonton is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Saskatoon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. A number of brands have opened stores in the downtown area in recent years, so the shopping scene continues to grow and diversify.


Is Edmonton or Saskatoon Better for Families?

Edmonton
Saskatoon

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Edmonton or Saskatoon.

Edmonton is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Saskatoon is a family-friendly city. It's filled with indoor and outdoor play areas. Make sure you check out the Nutrien Wonderhub as well as the countless playgrounds around town.

Is Edmonton or Saskatoon Better for Couples?

Edmonton
Saskatoon

Both Edmonton and Saskatoon 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.

Saskatoon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are plenty of evening activities like dining out at a nice restaurant or taking in a show at the Persephone Theatre.

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

Edmonton
Saskatoon

Edmonton is a good destination for its public transit. However, Saskatoon is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Saskatoon. There is a bus system around town.


Is Edmonton or Saskatoon a more walkable city?

Edmonton
Saskatoon

Edmonton and Saskatoon both are nice when exploring on foot.

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

Saskatoon is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown is walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Saskatoon or Edmonton?

How long in Edmonton or Saskatoon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edmonton and Saskatoon. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saskatoon than in Edmonton. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Edmonton, and 1-3 days is enough time in Saskatoon.

Couples should spend more time in Edmonton than Saskatoon. 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 Saskatoon 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.


  • How many days in Edmonton or Saskatoon? Ideal Length of Stay
    Edmonton 1-2 
    Saskatoon 1-3

One day in Edmonton or Saskatoon?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Edmonton. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edmonton has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The city of Saskatoon offers food and shopping. 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 Saskatoon?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Edmonton. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.


Five days in Edmonton or Saskatoon?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Edmonton. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon?

Edmonton is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Saskatoon 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.


Which place is cheaper, Saskatoon or Edmonton?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Edmonton Prices
    Canada Prices
    Saskatoon Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Edmonton $185
    Saskatoon $125

The average daily cost (per person) in Edmonton is $185, while the average daily cost in Saskatoon is $125. 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 Edmonton and Saskatoon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Edmonton $98
    Saskatoon $53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Edmonton $196
    Saskatoon $106
Compare Hotels in Edmonton and Saskatoon

Looking for a hotel in Edmonton or Saskatoon? 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 Edmonton


Hotels in Saskatoon


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: Edmonton Hotel Prices and Saskatoon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Edmonton $77
    Saskatoon $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edmonton

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Edmonton:

  • Private Transfer from Edmonton to Edmonton Airport (YEG): $118
  • Private Transfer from Edmonton Airport (YEG) to Edmonton Hotels: $118
  • Edmonton to Edmonton Airport (YEG) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
  • Edmonton Airport (YEG) to Edmonton - Arrival Private Transfer: $118
  • Edmonton Airport (YEG) to Edmonton - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $236

Is it cheaper to fly into Edmonton or Saskatoon?

Prices for flights to both Saskatoon and Edmonton 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
    Edmonton $27
    Saskatoon $53
Typical Food Prices in Edmonton

Some typical examples of dining costs in Edmonton are as follows:


  • Snacks
    $7.06

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edmonton

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Edmonton.

  • Edmonton's #1 Food Bike Tour: The Best Local Food Tour on E-Bikes: $145

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Edmonton $88
    Saskatoon $17

Tours and Activities in Edmonton

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Edmonton are as follows:

  • Edmonton City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour Gratuity-Based: $5.00
  • City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $5.00
  • Edmonton Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Edmonton by Crazy Dash: $10
  • TELUS World of Science General Admission Ticket: $18
  • Edmonton Explorer: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Trolley: $36
  • Edmonton Explorer | Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour: $37
  • 1-Hour Edmonton River Valley Segway Tour: $44
  • Edmonton River Valley 60-Minute Segway Adventure: $44
  • 1-Hour Segway Adventure in Louise McKinney Park: $44
  • Edmonton River Valley 90-Minute Segway Adventure: $62
  • Indigenous Heritage Tour with Minivan Transport: $84

Tours and Activities in Saskatoon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saskatoon are as follows:

  • Donna Birkmaier Park Birding and Walking Tour: $67

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Edmonton -
    Saskatoon -

Sample the Local Flavors in Edmonton

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Edmonton:

  • Edmonton Brewery Tour (10 person minimum group): $102


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Edmonton and Saskatoon, we can see that Edmonton is more expensive. And not only is Saskatoon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saskatoon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon.

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


Which is Bigger, Edmonton or Saskatoon?

Edmonton has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saskatoon. When comparing the sizes of Edmonton and Saskatoon, 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.