A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Saskatoon vs. Halifax for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saskatoon or Halifax?

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 Saskatoon and Halifax. 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.

Saskatoon

Saskatoon is a cultural, friendly, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Saskatoon travel costs.

Halifax

Halifax is a historical, friendly, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Halifax travel costs.

Saskatoon and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Saskatoon or Halifax?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Halifax than Saskatoon. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Halifax is more touristy than Saskatoon and is popular for its maritime past. It is also well known for the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. Saskatoon is famous for its agriculture and outdoor spaces.

How is Saskatoon different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Halifax and Saskatoon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saskatoon or Halifax?

Saskatoon
Halifax

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Saskatoon and Halifax.

Saskatoon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some museums and historical sites to check out such as Fort Battleford National Historic Site, Batoche National Historic Site, and the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Halifax. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.


Is the Food Better in Saskatoon or Halifax? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saskatoon
Halifax

Dining out at restaurants in both Saskatoon and Halifax can be an enjoyable experience.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Saskatoon. There's a great food scene around town with diverse restaurants and cuisines to choose from. You can sample dim sum, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, and many more.

Halifax is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

Is Saskatoon or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

Saskatoon
Halifax

Both Saskatoon and Halifax are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saskatoon. There are enough clubs and bars around town to keep things entertaining. Most cater to a younger crowd, but the vibe is fun and full of energy.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Halifax. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Saskatoon or Halifax?

Saskatoon
Halifax

Both Saskatoon and Halifax are nice shopping destinations.

Saskatoon offers some nice shopping areas. A number of brands have opened stores in the downtown area in recent years, so the shopping scene continues to grow and diversify.

Halifax has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.


Is Saskatoon or Halifax Better for Families?

Saskatoon
Halifax

Both Saskatoon and Halifax are nice family-friendly destinations.

Saskatoon is a family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with indoor and outdoor play areas. Make sure you check out the Nutrien Wonderhub as well as the countless playgrounds around town.

Halifax is a family-friendly city. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is Saskatoon or Halifax Better for Couples?

Saskatoon
Halifax

Saskatoon and Halifax both nice destinations for a couple.

Saskatoon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are plenty of evening activities like dining out at a nice restaurant or taking in a show at the Persephone Theatre.

Halifax is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

Is Saskatoon or Halifax Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Saskatoon
Halifax

Halifax is a good destination for backpackers. However, Saskatoon is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Halifax. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Saskatoon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers skip this town in favor of more popular destinations.


Is Saskatoon or Halifax Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saskatoon
Halifax

Halifax is a good destination for its public transit. However, Saskatoon is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Halifax has a few public transit options. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saskatoon. There is a bus system around town.

Is Saskatoon or Halifax a more walkable city?

Saskatoon
Halifax

Saskatoon and Halifax both are nice when exploring on foot.

Saskatoon is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown is walkable and easy to explore on foot.

Halifax is a somewhat walkable city. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Saskatoon Worth Visiting? and Is Halifax Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Halifax or Saskatoon?

How long in Saskatoon or Halifax?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saskatoon and Halifax. In our opinion, Halifax has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Halifax than Saskatoon. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saskatoon, and 2-3 days is enough time in Halifax.

Couples should spend more time in Halifax than Saskatoon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Halifax that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Halifax than Saskatoon if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Halifax.


  • How many days in Saskatoon or Halifax? Ideal Length of Stay
    Saskatoon 1-3 
    Halifax 2-3

One day in Saskatoon or Halifax?

In Saskatoon, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Halifax. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


A weekend in Saskatoon or Halifax?

In Saskatoon, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saskatoon has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Halifax. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Saskatoon or Halifax?

Saskatoon is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Halifax. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Saskatoon or Halifax?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saskatoon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saskatoon. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Halifax is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Canada, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Saskatoon?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saskatoon is $149, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $137. 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 Saskatoon and Halifax in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saskatoon $54
    Halifax $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saskatoon $108
    Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Saskatoon and Halifax

Looking for a hotel in Saskatoon or Halifax? 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 Saskatoon


Hotels in Halifax


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: Saskatoon Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saskatoon $32
    Halifax $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax

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

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport YHZ: $85

Is it cheaper to fly into Saskatoon or Halifax?

Prices for flights to both Halifax and Saskatoon 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
    Saskatoon $54
    Halifax $54

Typical Food Prices in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Bluenose II Restaurant
    $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $159

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saskatoon $17
    Halifax $28

Tours and Activities in Saskatoon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saskatoon are as follows:

  • Donna Birkmaier Park Birding and Walking Tour: $62

Tours and Activities in Halifax

For Halifax, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Admission & Tour: $14
  • Georges Island National Historic Site Ferry Ticket: $16
  • Happy Hour Cruise with Live Music: $22
  • Guided Kayak Tour with Multiple Options: $29
  • Halifax Sunset Cruise Aboard the Tall Ship Silva: $34
  • Hot Country Party Cruise: $35
  • Party Cruise on the Harbour Queen: $36
  • Best of Halifax Harbour Tour: $41
  • Tall Ship Harbor Sailing Cruise with Live Music: $43
  • Halifax Small-Group Express Peggy’s Cove Tour: $50
  • Harbour Hopper City & Water Cruise in a Duck Boat: $57
  • Signature Adventure Sail: $57

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saskatoon $9.60
    Halifax $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Halifax

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Halifax:

  • Nova Scotia Annapolis Valley Wine Tour Lead by a Sommelier: $170
  • The Classic Vintage Car Wine Tour: $206


When comparing the travel costs between Saskatoon and Halifax, we can see that Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon Expensive? and Is Halifax Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saskatoon or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Saskatoon. When comparing the sizes of Saskatoon and Halifax, 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.