Which place is cheaper, Calgary or New Orleans?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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: New Orleans or Calgary?
New Orleans
New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.
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 United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours 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 dayNew Orleans $239Calgary $154
The average daily cost (per person) in New Orleans is $239, 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 New Orleans and Calgary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNew Orleans $125Calgary $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNew Orleans $250Calgary $146
Compare Hotels in New Orleans and Calgary
Looking for a hotel in New Orleans 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: New Orleans Hotel Prices and Calgary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.New Orleans $51Calgary $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New Orleans
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans
Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 25 Passenger New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $300
- Airport Transfer in New Orleans: $215
- Boss Be Luxury Airport Transfer From New Orleans: $121
- Cruise Port to New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
- Full-Day Oak Alley Plantation & Large Airboat Swamp w/Transfer: $155
- Full-Day Whitney Plantation & Large Airboat Swamp Tour w/Transfer: $155
- Handicap New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $260
- NOLA Cruise Port to New Orleans hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $149
- New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Arrival Transfer : $82
- New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Round-Trip Transfer : $164
- New Orleans Airport (MSY): Private Transfer to New Orleans: $207
- New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) to Cruise Port - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $149
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 New Orleans or Calgary?
Prices for flights to both Calgary and New Orleans 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 dayNew Orleans $45Calgary $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cajun and Creole Cooking Class with Meal: $38
- New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal: $42
- Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $55
- Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $55
- Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner: $55
- French Quarter Food Tour: Signature Flavors of New Orleans: $59
- The Premier New Orleans Food Tour: $77
- Taste Of New Orleans Food Tour and Experience: $80
- French Quarter Food Tour with a Local: $80
- Lower Garden District Food Tour: $89
- New Orleans' Lower Garden Food Tour: $89
- French Quarter Food Tour with Tastings: $89
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.New Orleans $55Calgary $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in New Orleans
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)$75
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Riverboat Cruise$70
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French Quarter City Tour$100
Tours and Activities in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Walking Tour French Quarter In New Orleans: $6.75
- Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Struttin' Down Royal Street Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
- Struttin' Down Royal Street: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Stories of Faith and Courage: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
- Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
- New Orleans Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Secret Historical Garden District Audio Tour: $9.99
- Discover Tremé's Soul: A Self-Guided Audio Experience: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- New Orleans, LA: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
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 dayNew Orleans $60Calgary $11
Sample the Local Flavors in New Orleans
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:
- Haunted Pub Crawl In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $13
- Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting: $15
- New Orleans Distillery Tour and Rum Tasting with Guide: $15
- Guided Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting: $15
- Spooky Ghost and Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $17
- New Orleans Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish Channel: $25
- Haunted Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $26
- Adults Only True Crime Pub Crawl: $27
- True Crime Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- New Orleans Spooky Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
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 New Orleans and Calgary, we can see that New Orleans 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans 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 New Orleans Expensive? and Is Calgary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Calgary?
Calgary has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans 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.