Travel Budget for Calgary Visit Calgary on a Budget or Travel in Style

Calgary, Alberta, Canada
North America / Canada / Alberta /
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Calgary is an authentic city known for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.

How much does it cost to travel to Calgary?

You should plan to spend around $175 (CA$244) per day on your vacation in Calgary. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $53 (CA$74) on meals
  • $12 (CA$17) on local transportation
  • $145 (CA$201) on hotels

A one week trip to Calgary for two people costs, on average, $2,452 (CA$3,416). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $175
    CA$244
  • One Week Per person
    $1,226
    CA$1,708
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $2,452
    CA$3,416
  • One Month Per person
    $5,254
    CA$7,320
  • One Week For a couple
    $2,452
    CA$3,416
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $4,904
    CA$6,832
  • One Month For a couple
    $10,508
    CA$14,640
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Calgary cost?

A one week trip to Calgary usually costs around $1,226 (CA$1,708) for one person and $2,452 (CA$3,416) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Calgary on average costs around $2,452 (CA$3,416) for one person and $4,904 (CA$6,832) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Calgary will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Calgary on average costs around $5,254 (CA$7,320) for one person and $10,508 (CA$14,640) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Is Calgary expensive to visit?

Calgary is a popular city among visitors with a wide range of travel styles and spending habits. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.

Calgary can be very expensive if you want it to be, but there are ways to cut down on your costs, like taking public transit and looking for discounts and coupons.

On average, budget travelers spend $73 (CA$101) per day, mid-range travelers spend $177 (CA$244) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $403 (CA$557) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Calgary.

Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Calgary is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Cocoa Beach or Joshua Tree National Park.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Calgary Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Calgary?

The average Calgary trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Calgary travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Calgary cost?

Calgary on a Budget
Category Budget Mid-Range Luxury
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy 		$32
(CA$44) 		$72
(CA$101) 		$139
(CA$193)
Local Transportation 1 $5
(CA$7.26) 		$12
(CA$17) 		$26
(CA$37)
Food 2 $23
(CA$32) 		$53
(CA$74) 		$107
(CA$149)
Entertainment 1 $7
(CA$9.22) 		$15
(CA$21) 		$30
(CA$42)
Alcohol 2 $2-7
(CA$3-10) 		$5-16
(CA$8-23) 		$11-34
(CA$16-48)

Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget

It's important to set realistic expectations for your travel budget in Calgary. While many think they can cut costs for many things, the reality is that most people won't enjoy such a low-budget experience. Consider your preferences and travel style. Do you like resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, or hostels? Are activities and dining out a big part of your travel plans? Your answers will shape your budget and itinerary.

What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?

You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $73 that backpackers often get by on.

Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.

Luckily, Calgary has plenty of hostels, including HI Calgary City Centre and Wicked Hostels - Calgary. Here, you can enjoy budget dorm accommodation along with a friendly, social vibe, but amenities are quite limited.

What Makes You an Average Traveler?

Couples and families on a fun trip will likely choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at popular dining spots, and visit significant museums and attractions that have entry fees. When visiting Calgary, most people will want to check out the major attractions, museums, and iconic landmarks. After all, most activities are not free. So, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be about $177 per person, per day.

There's a wide selection of hotels and vacation rentals in Calgary. If you're traveling with others, sharing a hotel room with a partner, friend, or kids will help split costs and save money. When traveling as a family, look for hotels and restaurants that welcome children. Hotel Le Germain Calgary is a great choice for kids, and Hotel Clique Calgary Airport is another wonderful option. For an enchanting experience in Calgary, couples should check out Hotel Arts for their stay. For more family and couple-friendly places to stay, check out our Calgary hotel costs guide.

Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?

If you're looking for a complete getaway that features every luxury and a high level of service, plan on a cost of about $403 daily. To enjoy nicer hotels, dine at award-winning venues, indulge in extravagant experiences, and travel around the city with taxis or private drivers, you'll need to set aside a luxury budget. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Discover Banff National Park - Premium Day Trip - offered by Viator.

Accommodation Budget in Calgary

The cost of hotels in Calgary can be surprisingly wide-ranging. Some hotels charge a lot more because they offer extra luxury and amenities. Prices are also much higher during peak season. Off-season rooms average $96, but the demand in peak summer season pushes that average to around $179. Budget hotels range from $68 to $267, and hostels provide a cheaper option, especially in dorms. Booking early, traveling off-season, or finding special deals can help save money.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid in Calgary for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $145 (CA$201). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $72 (CA$101) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.

  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $72
    CA$101
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $145
    CA$201

Hotels in Calgary

Looking for a hotel in Calgary? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.



Actual Hotel Prices in Calgary

The average hotel room price in Calgary based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $96 in the low season and $179 in the peak season. Below are the average prices for each budget category. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

The most affordable highest rated hotels in Calgary include:

  • Along River Ridge Bed & Breakfast starting at $110
  • Hotel Le Germain Calgary starting at $189
  • Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire starting at $188
  • Hotel Arts Kensington starting at $149
  • Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel starting at $145
Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Calgary

While Calgary has a good public transit system that allows for staying farther from the city, cheaper accommodations could lead to more expensive and time-consuming commutes.

Traveling during the shoulder or low season (instead of summer) means you'll get lower prices on accommodations and have fewer crowds to deal with.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Calgary

Calgary has a good public transit system that reaches some of the major sights. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses. If you want to save money and get around quickly, the public transit is the way to go if it's conveniently located to where you're going. Also, you'll find taxis and rideshare services around town.

Regrettably, the walkable areas in the city are quite limited. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

Public Transit:  starstarstarstarstar (good)
Walkability:      starstarstarstarstar (moderate)

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, past travelers have spent $12 (CA$17) per person, per day, on local transportation in Calgary. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Calgary is significantly more than public transportation.

  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $12
    CA$17

Transportation Tips

Make sure your hotel provides easy parking options if you're driving.

A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:

  • Calgary Airport (YYC) to Lake Louise | Private Transfer for $159 details
  • Calgary or YYC Airport to Banff | Private Transfer for $136 details
  • Alberta Transfer: Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary for $61 details

Recommended Services


Flights to Calgary
How much does it cost to go to Calgary? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Calgary
The price of renting a car in Calgary will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.



Food Budget in Calgary

Food options are limited and not of the best quality in Calgary. It's better not to spend too much money trying to eat out because there are other activities that are more worth your time. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While restaurant and meal prices in Calgary can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Calgary is $53 (CA$74) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.

  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $53
    CA$74

When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Calgary is around $54 (CA$74) per person, with previous travelers spending from $23 to $108. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.

Typical meal prices in Calgary are as follows:

  • Breakfast: $5 to $16
  • Lunch: $8 to $21
  • Dinner: $16 to $38
  • Coffee: $4
  • Fast Food or Street Food: $8

There is a wide selection of dining options available in Calgary. The city is very proud of Alberta Beef, and steakhouses are plentiful. The city's diverse population means that there are many different international restaurants, including Asian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern. In particular, Vietnamese food is very common and usually very affordable. Downtown restaurants can get crowded around noon during the work week. It's best to eat slightly earlier or later.

Food & Dining Tips

Many hotels include breakfast in their pricing structure, while some charge additional fees for it. The quality and cost can vary significantly by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you decide whether to allocate more money. It might be worth paying for the delicious hotel buffet, or you could go to a local bakery or cafe that's less expensive.

Keep a water bottle with you to cut down on drink purchases. It's also better for the environment.

While planning your tour, it's essential to know which meals are included. You may find yourself paying for some meals, which can add to your travel budget.

If you want to experience the culture in Calgary, a food tour or cooking class is a great way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:

  • Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour for $128 details
  • Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour for $125 details
  • Light Brunch & Food Tour at Calgary Farmers' Market WEST for $79 details

Recommended

What did other people spend on food and dining in Calgary?

Typical prices for food in Calgary are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the food prices in Calgary. However, your individual costs will vary based on your travel style, selected restaurants, and the items that you order.


  • Bread, Chips, Cheese
    CA$11


Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Calgary

It's clear why Calgary attracts visitors, considering its museums and attractions, nightlife, family-friendly activities, and romance.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Calgary typically cost an average of $15 (CA$21) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $15
    CA$21

There are some wonderful sights throughout Calgary. You should definitely visit Prince's Island Park, which is the city's largest city park. It's an island in the Bow River, and has a handful of wonderful trails. The park also hosts plenty of festivals, particularly in the summer months when the weather is more pleasant.

Barclay Mall is a pedestrian area between Eau claire and Stephen Avenue. This area has plenty of shops and a wonderful atmosphere.

Stephen Avenue Walk is one of the city's most famous streets. It is a National Historic District and has many boutique shops, interesting restaurants, and pubs or bars. The area is traffic free during the day. For more ideas of what to see in this amazing city, check out this guide to the best spots to take photos in Calgary

Other areas worth visiting include Stephen Avenue Walk, Chinatown, the Olympic Plaza, the Glenbow Museum, Calgary Tower, Calgary Zoo, and much more.



As a large city, there are many activities that you can enjoy in Calgary. The theater scene is well established, with EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts hosting the city's three most famous professional theater groups. Other theaters in the city include Vertigo Theatre, Theatre Junction, Pumphouse Theatre, Loose Moose Theatre, and Lunchbox Theatre, among others.

For recreational activities, consider visiting Glenmore Reservoir where you can sail, kayak, or canoe. Canada Olympic Park has skiing, snowboarding, luging, and many other winter sports. This is a training facility and lessons are available for many sports.

There are several great shopping areas in Calgary. Inglewood is interesting as there are few chain businesses. The area has many interesting coffee shops, art galleries, or furniture shops. Other area's for shopping include Stephen Avenue, 17 Avenue SW, and Kensington District.

And of course, the city is famous for the Calgary Stampede, a large rodeo-like show with cowboys, horses, and everything "western" that you can imagine.

A nice way to explore destinations in Calgary is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:

  • Explore Banff National Park with Our Premium Day Tour for $116 details
  • Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Tour from Calgary - Canmore - Banff for $113 details
  • From Yoho Park w/ Moraine & Lake Louise | Private Tour for $290 details

Recommended Activities

What did other people spend on sightseeing in Calgary?

Below are a few common prices for sightseeing and activity entry fees in Calgary, all of which are based on the reports of previous travelers. These figures should give you a rough estimate of what you can expect to pay. Keep in mind, though, your costs will vary depending on the activities you choose and whether you take advantage of free or budget-friendly options.


  • Stampede Admission (for 2)
    CA$30


Nightlife Budget in Calgary

While Calgary features some nightlife activities, it doesn't reach the excitement levels of other, more renowned destinations. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $11 (CA$15) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Calgary per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $11
    CA$15
Nightlife Tips

Nightlife is a blast when traveling, but scaling back on drinks can really help stretch your travel budget.

While enjoying a night out, remember to stay alert. If you're drinking, you might become an easy target for thieves, so it's best to stay with friends you trust.

Nightlife activities and tasting tours are popular in Calgary. A few favorites from other travelers include:

  • Calgary Brewery Tour for $87 details
  • Calgary Brewery and Wine Tours at Award Winning Venues for $81 details

Recommended


Budgeting and Travel Tips for Calgary

  • Peak summer season brings higher prices and more people to the city. To avoid the chaos and save some money, consider a trip during the shoulder or low seasons.
  • Enjoying a more leisurely travel pace can not only enhance your experience but also save you money as you soak in the area's beauty. If you rush through every day packed with activities, your spending will add up. On the flip side, a slower pace often means a lighter budget.

Budgeting Challenges

  • Bringing young children along on your travels? You might want to consider a private vehicle or taxi. It can often save you from the headache of public transit, although it may cost a bit extra.
  • If you're hoping to find a hostel in Calgary, you might be disappointed. Instead of dorms, consider searching for affordable hotels or apartment rentals.
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Traveling in Calgary
Calgary Calgary, Canada

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.

Calgary's climate is humid continental. Highs in July are around 75 degrees Fahrenheit and highs in January are usually around 27 degrees Fahrenheit. There are over 300 days of sun a year.



Neighborhoods & Around

There are a handful of neighborhoods that are worth exploring throughout Calgary. The Beltline and 17th Avenue are the trendiest areas with plenty of restaurants, shopping, bars, and clubs. The nightlife in this area is popular among local celebrities and athletes.

If you're looking for some great shopping, head over to Kensington, which is north of the downtown area near the Bow River. It has a bohemian atmosphere, and also has plenty of restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops.

Inglewood is a culturally rich and eclectic area in Calgary that once served as the downtown area. It is also the oldest neighborhood in the city. It's again gaining a trendy feel and has plenty of shops and restaurants, although they are not as dense as the current downtown area.

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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.


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.
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