Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Fairbanks?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Fairbanks or Calgary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Fairbanks 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: Fairbanks or Calgary?
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is the only 'city' in the interior region of Alaska, and the largest settlement for hundreds of miles, but it has many characteristics of a small town where everyone seems to know everyone. Because the city sits at the nexus of some truly epic routes - north to the Arctic, east to Canada and south to Denali - you'll almost inevitably end up spending time here, and that time is rarely boring. The residential streets of compact downtown are pretty as a picture, and during winter, this is ground zero for viewing the aurora borealis.
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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, 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 dayFairbanks $272Calgary $154
The average daily cost (per person) in Fairbanks is $272, 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 Fairbanks and Calgary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFairbanks $154Calgary $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFairbanks $308Calgary $146
Compare Hotels in Fairbanks and Calgary
Looking for a hotel in Fairbanks 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: Fairbanks Hotel Prices and Calgary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fairbanks $66Calgary $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fairbanks
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Fairbanks:
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Full Tank of Gas$90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:
- Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Downtown - Calgary Airport (YYC): $91
- Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Airport (YYC) to Calgary Downtown: $138
- Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Airport (YYC) - Calgary Downtown: $91
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Calgary Downtown - Calgary Airport (YYC): $61
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Calgary Airport (YYC) - Calgary Downtown: $61
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Calgary Airport (YYC) -Calgary Downtown: $121
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Calgary Airport (YYC) -Calgary: $181
- Private Transfer: Calgary Airport to Downtown: $111
- Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary by Luxury SUV: $119
- Private Transfer from YYC Airport to Kicking Horse or Panorama: $76
- Private Transfer from Fernie to Calgary International Airport: $76
- Private Transfer from Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Luxury Van: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Fairbanks or Calgary?
Prices for flights to both Calgary and Fairbanks 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 dayFairbanks $63Calgary $31
Typical Food Prices in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two at Pike's Landing$63
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Totem Inn Breakfast for Two$46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $210
- Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $300
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.Fairbanks $65Calgary $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Fairbanks
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Fairbanks's activities, tours, and tickets:
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The Riverboat Discovery Trip$55
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1 Day Mountain Bike Rental$27
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Canoe Rental with Pickup$56
Tours and Activities in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fairbanks, AK: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Fairbanks, AK: $15
- Gold Dredge 8 Historic Train Tour: $58
- Extreme Cold Clothing Pkg - (Parka Snowpant Bibs Boots) No Tour: $65
- Riverboat Cruise and Local Village Tour: $95
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience in North Pole: $99
- Summer Mushing Cart Ride & Kennel Tour: $100
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience: $105
- 3-Hour Small Group 9-Hole Self-Guided Fairbanks Golf Experience: $110
- From Northern Lights & Murphy Dome Tour: $120
- Aurora Chaser Tour: $125
- Budget Aurora Borealis tour, Fairbanks, Alaska : $125
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:
- 1 Day Tour in Rocky Mountain Yoho National Park: $156
- 2 Day Guided Tour in Banff National Park: $295
- 2 Days Jasper and Banff Tour from Calgary: $163
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Calgary's Highlights: $239
- 2-Hour Scooter Tour of Calgary's City Highlights: $69
- 3-Hour Bike Tour of Calgary, E-Bike Upgrade Options Available: $102
- 3-Hour Street Art Tour of Calgary with Craft Beer Tastings: $102
- 3-Hour Tips Based Walking Tour of Calgary: $5.46
- Banff Area & Johnston Canyon 1-Day Tour from Calgary or Banff: $119
- Banff Deep 1 Day Tour in Banff National Park: $171
- Banff Hot Springs - Gondola - Wildlife Tour from Calgary/Banff: $116
- Banff Tour with Gondola & Lake Cruise - roundtrip from Calgary: $239
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFairbanks $27Calgary $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: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fairbanks and Calgary, we can see that Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks Expensive? and Is Calgary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Fairbanks or Calgary?
Calgary has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Fairbanks. When comparing the sizes of Fairbanks 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.