Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Nags Head?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nags Head or Calgary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nags Head 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: Nags Head or Calgary?
Nags Head
Nags Head is a popular tourist destination in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The town, with a population of almost 3,000, has many nice beaches and is also where you'll find Jockey's Ridge, which has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It's also the most visited park within the North Carolina park system.
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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to 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 dayNags Head $149Calgary $154
The average daily cost (per person) in Nags Head is $149, 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 Nags Head and Calgary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNags Head $80Calgary $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNags Head $160Calgary $146
Compare Hotels in Nags Head and Calgary
Looking for a hotel in Nags Head 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: Nags Head Hotel Prices and Calgary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nags Head $40Calgary $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:
- From Icefields Parkway Route Tour w/Hotel Transfers: $730
- 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: $474
- 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 International Airport (YYC) to Field - Roundtrip Transfer: $251
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Lake Louise | Private Transfer: $235
- Calgary Airport(YYC) to Lake Louise Round Trip Private Transfer: $229
Is it cheaper to fly into Nags Head or Calgary?
Prices for flights to both Calgary and Nags Head 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 dayNags Head $41Calgary $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.Nags Head $14Calgary $15
Tours and Activities in Nags Head
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
- Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes: Self-Guided Driving Tour: $13
- Outer Banks Audio Driving Tour: $13
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
- OBX Ghost Tours: $25
- Manteo Historic Walking Tour: $28
- Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
- 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $57
- Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
- Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59
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 dayNags Head $12Calgary $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 Nags Head and Calgary, we can see that Calgary 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 Nags Head Expensive? and Is Calgary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Calgary?
Calgary has a larger population, and is about 320 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head 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.