A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Islamabad vs. Calgary for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Islamabad or Calgary?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Calgary can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Islamabad or Calgary?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Islamabad?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, while the average daily cost in Calgary is $156. 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 Islamabad and Calgary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $20
    Calgary $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $40
    Calgary $148
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Calgary

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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.

Hotels in Islamabad


Hotels in Calgary


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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Calgary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.67
    Calgary $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
  • Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:

  • From Icefields Parkway Route Tour w/Hotel Transfers: $731
  • Private Transfer to Banff or Canmore: $621
  • From Private Transfer to Lake Louise: $584
  • From Calgary Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Banff: $511
  • Lake Louise: Calgary to Lake Louise Private Transfer 1 Way: $475
  • Banff To Calgary Airport - Private Transfer: $365
  • From Calgary Airport: Private Transfer to Banff by Tesla: $365
  • Private Calgary to Banff One-way Transfer in Luxury Car: $296
  • Calgary Air to Fairmont/Radium Hot Springs Round-Trip Transfer: $295
  • Calgary Airport to Lake Louise | Private Transfer: $282
  • Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Field - Roundtrip Transfer: $252
  • Calgary Airport (YYC) to Lake Louise | Private Transfer: $235

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Calgary?

Prices for flights to both Calgary and Islamabad 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
    Islamabad $15
    Calgary $31

Typical Food Prices in Calgary

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:


  • Bread, Chips, Cheese
    $8.16

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.48
    Calgary $16

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.

  • Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
  • Private Tour: Half Day Islamabad Saidpur Village Exploration Tour: $80
  • Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
  • Guided Top 5 Wonders Exploration Tour: $95
  • Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
  • City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
  • Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
  • Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
  • From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150

Typical Entertainment Prices in Calgary

Here are a few typical costs in Calgary for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • 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
  • Afternoon tour to Banff from Calgary: $244
  • Banff Area & Johnston Canyon 1-Day Tour from Calgary or Banff: $119
  • Banff Deep 1 Day Tour in Banff National Park: $172
  • Banff Hot Springs - Gondola - Wildlife Tour from Calgary/Banff: $116
  • Banff, Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tour from Calgary, Canmore: $96

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.88
    Calgary $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 Islamabad and Calgary, we can see that Calgary is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Islamabad is in Asia and Calgary is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Calgary would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calgary than you might in Islamabad.

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


Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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.

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