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

Should you visit Tbilisi or Calgary?

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

Should I visit Tbilisi 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: Tbilisi or Calgary?

Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the capital of the country of Georgia. Its cobblestoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the "Mother of Georgia." Tbilisi’s eternal charms of a dramatic setting in the deep valley of the swift Mtkvari River, picturesque architecture, an ever-lively arts and cultural scene, and the welcoming Georgian lifestyle have been added a whole new 21st-century dimension of inviting cafes and restaurants serving ever better food, up-to-date lodgings from backpacker hostels to international five-stars, interesting bars and clubs, spruced-up museums, galleries, parks, plazas and whole streets, modernized transport and a sprinkling of eye-catching contemporary architecture. The mix of modern and ancient elements makes Tbilisi the beating heart of the South Caucasus and it is well worth a visit.

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


Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Tbilisi?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tbilisi is $29, 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 Tbilisi and Calgary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tbilisi $13
    Calgary $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tbilisi $26
    Calgary $148
Compare Hotels in Tbilisi and Calgary

Looking for a hotel in Tbilisi 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 Tbilisi


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: Calgary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tbilisi $6.20
    Calgary $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tbilisi

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

  • 24/7 Private Transfer from/to Tbilisi Airport : $43
  • 24/7 Taxi Airport Shuttle and Transfer Private Service: $14
  • 3-Day Tbilisi & Mtskheta Discovery + Airport Transfers: $159
  • 4 Days Private Tour in Georgia With Free Airport Transfers: $237
  • Airport transfer by Visit-geo: $16
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Tbilisi Airport to Tbilisi Hotel : $41
  • Batumi airport: Bus Transfer to/from Tbilisi: $16
  • Borjomi to Tbilisi Airport Transfer: $66
  • Comfortable transfer from Tbilisi Airport: $54
  • Comfortable,fast and safe private transfer from airport: $30
  • From Transfer to Gudauri Ski Resort: $54
  • From Tbilisi:Private Transfer service To Batumi: $242

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
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Calgary Airport (YYC) - Calgary Downtown: $61
  • 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: $120
  • Private Transfer from Fernie to Calgary International Airport: $77
  • Private Transfer from Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Luxury Van: $129
  • Private Transfer from Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Business Car: $108
  • Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Sunshine Village : $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Tbilisi or Calgary?

Prices for flights to both Calgary and Tbilisi 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
    Tbilisi $8.03
    Calgary $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tbilisi

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

  • Natural Wine Degustation and Tasting with Georgian Dinner Option: $20
  • Small-Group Khinkali and Khachapuri Cooking Class in Tbilisi: $24
  • Georgian Cooking Class with Khinkali and Khachapuri: $25
  • Adjarian Khachapuri Making Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
  • Traveling Spoon Georgian Dumplings Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Cooking Class with a Local Family: $49
  • Tbilisi Street Food Tour: $70
  • Food Tour with 9 Tastings and Wine: $70
  • Full Day Tbilisi Tour with Cooking Class & Wine Tasting Activity: $95
  • In Georgian Cooking Masterclass by Local: $102
  • Half-Day Food Tour of Tbilisi Dezerter's Bazaar: $125
  • Private Cooking Class with a Georgian Grandmother in Tbilisi: $130

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.
    Tbilisi $15
    Calgary $16

Tours and Activities in Tbilisi

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

  • Skip the Line: Experimentorium Ticket: $5.45
  • Virtual tour to Georgia: $10
  • Walking Tour in Old Tbilisi - Group Tour: $12
  • Highlands Tour: Kazbegi, Ananuri, Gudauri, and Zhinvali: $12
  • Exploring Tbilisi Walking Tour: $12
  • 3 Hour Walking Tour in Tbilisi: $13
  • Afternoon Walking tour of Old Town: $13
  • Tbilisi Guided Walking Tour: $13
  • Underground Printing House Museum Tour in Tbilisi: $14
  • City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $14
  • Tbilisi City Tour: $15
  • Revolutionary Tbilisi Walking Tour: $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:


  • 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:

  • Classic Banff DayTour: Banff, Bow Falls, Johnston Canyon : $135
  • 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: $5.47
  • 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: $115

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tbilisi $18
    Calgary $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Tbilisi

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tbilisi:

  • 3 Hours Walk Around Wine Tasting of 12 Different Wines in Tbilisi: $10
  • Tbilisi.First impression of Tbilisi-evening walking,wine tasting: $11
  • One-day tour of Kakheti from Tbilisi, free wine tasting: $14
  • Tbilisi Walking Tour Including Wine Tasting Cable Car and Bakery: $14
  • Tbilisi Walking Tour with Cable Cars, Wine Tasting and Traditional Bakery: $15
  • Kakheti Day Group Tour: Free Wine Tasting: $15
  • Full Day Wine Tour Bodbe , Sighnaghi , Telavi: $16
  • Wine Tasting Feel the Difference of Qvevri or Classical Wine: $16
  • Kakheti Wine Tour, Кахетия -Винный Тур: $19
  • Kakheti: Sighnaghi city of love, Bodbe, Telavi, Free wine tasting: $19
  • Full Day Bodbe Sighnaghi and Telavi Wine Tasting Tour: $20
  • Whole day Wine Tour to Kakheti from Tbilisi: $20

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 Tbilisi and Calgary, we can see that Calgary is more expensive. And not only is Tbilisi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tbilisi is in Europe 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 Tbilisi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tbilisi 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 Tbilisi.

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


Which is Bigger, Tbilisi or Calgary?

Tbilisi has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Calgary. When comparing the sizes of Tbilisi 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.