A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vail vs. Saskatoon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vail or Saskatoon?

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

Should I visit Vail or Saskatoon? 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 Saskatoon?

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.

Saskatoon

Saskatoon is a city straddling the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatchewan, Canada. Saskatoon is full of hidden treasures. Head into the downtown core and inner neighborhoods to get the best feel of this vibrant city. The majestic South Saskatchewan River winds through downtown, offering beautiful, natural diversions. Beautiful parks and riverside walks help you make the most out of long, sunny summer days. There are plenty of great spots to stop for a refreshing drink and a chat with locals. Saskatoon also has a proud heritage of local rock and country music and a vibrant live-music scene. If you only have time for one Saskatchewan stop, Saskatoon might just be the place for you.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Saskatoon or Vail?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Vail is $291, while the average daily cost in Saskatoon is $126. 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 Saskatoon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vail $174
    Saskatoon $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vail $348
    Saskatoon $108
Compare Hotels in Vail and Saskatoon

Looking for a hotel in Vail or Saskatoon? 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 Vail


Hotels in Saskatoon


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 Saskatoon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vail $19
    Saskatoon $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vail

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

  • Eagle County Airport(EGE) to Steamboat - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
  • Eagle County Airport to Breckenridge Keystone: Arrival Transfer: $93
  • Eagle County Airport to Vail/Beaver Creek/Avon-Arrival Transfer: $115
  • Eagle County Airport to Steamboat Springs-Round-Trip Transfer: $121
  • Eagle County Regional (EGE) to Steamboat Springs-Arrival Transfer: $121
  • Private Departure Transfer to Vail Airport EGE: $128
  • Eagle County Airport to Steamboat - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $154
  • Eagle Airport (EGE) to Glenwood Resorts Round-Trip Transfer: $154
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Vail Airport EGE: $156
  • Vail/Beaver Creek/Avon to Denver Airport DEN - Departure Transfer: $219
  • EGE Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Vail, Beaver Creek, and Avon: $230
  • Avon/Vail Valley to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer : $239

Is it cheaper to fly into Vail or Saskatoon?

Prices for flights to both Saskatoon 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Vail $74
    Saskatoon $31

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vail $133
    Saskatoon $17

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
  • 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

Tours and Activities in Saskatoon

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

  • Saskatoon, Canada: 8-hour tour to view Whooping Cranes: $687
  • Birdwatching Tour in President Murray Park: $62
  • Dancing Grouse Photography Tour: $362
  • Donna Birkmaier Park Birding and Walking Tour: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vail $9.79
    Saskatoon $9.61


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vail and Saskatoon, we can see that Vail is more expensive. And not only is Saskatoon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saskatoon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon.

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


Which is Bigger, Vail or Saskatoon?

Saskatoon has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Vail. When comparing the sizes of Vail and Saskatoon, 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.