Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Grand Canyon National Park?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Canyon National Park or Calgary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Grand Canyon National Park and Calgary. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Grand Canyon National Park or Calgary?
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is a national landmark in the United States. It is also one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country and the colors, particularly at sunrise and sunset, will never cease to amaze you. The canyon is entirely within the state of Arizona and has been carved over millions of years by the Colorado River. It stands at over a mile deep and you can easily see the layers of geology with the Canyon's dramatic colors. The Grand Canyon National Park itself was created by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 as a national monument. It was later upgraded to a national park in 1919. It currently covers an area of more than 1.2 million acres and is visited yearly by more than four million guests.
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 Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, 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 dayGrand Canyon National Park $168Calgary $154
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Canyon National Park is $168, 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 Grand Canyon National Park and Calgary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Canyon National Park $89Calgary $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Canyon National Park $178Calgary $146
Compare Hotels in Grand Canyon National Park and Calgary
Looking for a hotel in Grand Canyon National Park 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: Grand Canyon National Park Hotel Prices and Calgary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Canyon National Park $43Calgary $12
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
- 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 Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Luxury Van: $128
- Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Sunshine Village : $60
- Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Calgary Hotels: $63
- Private Calgary to Banff One-way Transfer in Luxury Car: $296
- Lake Louise: Calgary to Lake Louise Private Transfer 1 Way: $474
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Canyon National Park or Calgary?
Prices for flights to both Calgary and Grand Canyon National Park 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 dayGrand Canyon National Park $49Calgary $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.Grand Canyon National Park $35Calgary $15
Tours and Activities in Grand Canyon National Park
For Grand Canyon National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Grand Canyon South & East Rim Self-Driving, Walking & Shuttling Tour: $17
- Grand Canyon and Sedona Self-Guided Driving Tour Bundle: $25
- Ultimate Arizona Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tour Bundle: $30
- Take a Scottsdale/Valley Tour in a Retro Party Bus - Old Town/Scottsdale: $69
- Ultimate American Southwest Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle: $85
- Grand Canyon Signature Hummer Tour with Optional Sunset Views: $121
- Grand Entrance Grand Canyon Tour - Pink Jeep: $122
- 3 Hour Off-Road Sunset Safari to Grand Canyon with Entrance Gate Detour : $123
- Desert View Grand Canyon Tour - Pink Jeep: $143
- 4 Hour Grand Canyon Biblical Creation Morning Rim Tour: $149
- 4-Hour Biblical Creation + Sunset Tour • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim: $149
- Hermits Rest Hiking Tour from Tusayan: $165
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 Yoho Tour | Moraine Lake | Johnston Canyon | From Calgary: $118
- 2 Days Jasper and Banff Tour from Calgary: $163
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Calgary's Highlights: $238
- 2-Hour Scooter Tour of Calgary's City Highlights: $68
- 3-Hour Bike Tour of Calgary, E-Bike Upgrade Options Available: $101
- 3-Hour Street Art Tour of Calgary with Craft Beer Tastings: $101
- 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, Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tour from Calgary, Canmore: $96
- Calgary City Sightseeing Tour: $162
- Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Canyon National Park $11Calgary $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 comparing the travel costs between Grand Canyon National Park and Calgary, we can see that Grand Canyon National Park 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Grand Canyon National Park Expensive? and Is Calgary Expensive?.
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.