Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Vail?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vail or Calgary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vail 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: Vail or Calgary?
Vail
Vail is one of the premier ski resort areas in the United States. Located in central Colorado, Vail is not far from Denver and situated in the heart of the Rockies. Here you'll find a quaint mountain town designed around tourism, especially for the winter, although plenty of visitors come in the warmer months, too.
High-end hotels, condos, and other accommodation options are surrounded by shops and restaurants that are all somewhat expensive compared to other costs in the United States. Because of this, Vail is definitely not considered an "affordable" travel option for many. However, good deals can be found if you look around and do some research.
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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle 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 dayVail $291Calgary $154
The average daily cost (per person) in Vail is $291, 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 Vail and Calgary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVail $174Calgary $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVail $348Calgary $146
Compare Hotels in Vail and Calgary
Looking for a hotel in Vail 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: Vail Hotel Prices and Calgary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vail $19Calgary $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vail
Also for Vail, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Avon/Vail Valley to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer : $238
- EGE Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Vail, Beaver Creek, and Avon: $229
- Eagle Airport (EGE) to Glenwood Resorts Round-Trip Transfer: $153
- Eagle Airport (EGE) to Glenwood Springs Resorts Arrival Transfer: $76
- Eagle County Airport to Breckenridge Keystone: Arrival Transfer: $93
- Eagle County Airport to Steamboat - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $153
- Eagle County Airport to Steamboat Springs-Round-Trip Transfer: $120
- Eagle County Airport to Vail/Beaver Creek/Avon-Arrival Transfer: $115
- Eagle County Airport(EGE) to Steamboat - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Eagle County Regional (EGE) to Steamboat Springs-Arrival Transfer: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer from Vail Airport EGE: $156
- Private Departure Transfer to Vail Airport EGE: $128
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 Vail or Calgary?
Prices for flights to both Calgary and Vail 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 dayVail $74Calgary $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.Vail $133Calgary $15
Tours and Activities in Vail
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vail.
- Smartphone Driving Tour between Denver & Vail / Breckenridge: $7.99
- Save the Mountain Escape Room Adventure: $45
- Vail Segway Tour from Vail Village: $89
- Stand Up Paddle Board Colorado River Adventure: Guided Half Day : $98
- Inflatable Kayak Adventure Colorado River: Half Day Guided Tour : $109
- Bike Tour or Mountain Bike down Vail Mountain: $120
- Dillon Marina & Shopping Tour: $267
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 dayVail $9.79Calgary $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 Vail and Calgary, we can see that Vail 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 Vail would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vail 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 Vail Expensive? and Is Calgary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vail or Calgary?
Calgary has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of Vail. When comparing the sizes of Vail 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.