Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Dayton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dayton or Calgary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Calgary, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Dayton or Calgary?
Dayton
Located in southwest Ohio, Dayton is known as the "Gem City." It's the original home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who designed the first airplane. You'll also find the Dayton Aviation Heritage Park here, which is one of the only multi-site National Parks in the United States. The cities climate has four different seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. The winter months are quite cold and you can expect a decent amount of snow in the area. Spring remains cool and there are infrequent showers. This is also the peak time for tornadoes in the area. Summer is hot and humid and can be unpleasant at times, but fall is crisp and refreshing with occasional storms and infrequent tornadoes.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.
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Dayton Prices
USA PricesCalgary Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDayton $368Calgary $177
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $368, while the average daily cost in Calgary is $177. 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 Dayton and Calgary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Calgary $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Calgary $146
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Calgary
Looking for a hotel in Dayton 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: Dayton Hotel Prices and Calgary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Calgary $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:
- Calgary Airport Transfer to/from Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise: $45
- Experience Private Airport Transfer in Calgary: $52
- From Bus Transfer to Banff: $60
- Banff Lake Louise or Canmore and Calgary Private Shuttle Transfer: $61
- Calgary Airport to Banff and Beyond Transfer Service: $65
- Private Transfers during Calgary Stampede: $72
- Prvt. Transfer YYC Airport to WinSport Olympic Park: $86
- Calgary Downtown Transfers: $86
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Calgary hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $101
- Private Transfer: Calgary Airport to Downtown: $110
- Private Transfer within Calgary from Airport or Hotels: $111
- Departure Private Transfer: Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Business Car: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Calgary?
Prices for flights to both Calgary and Dayton 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 dayDayton $105Calgary $54
Typical Food Prices in Dayton
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dayton are as follows:
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Noodle Company Lunch (for 2)$17
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Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$34
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.
- Sushi Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Calgary: $63
- Pasta Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Calgary: $63
- Light Brunch & Food Tour at Calgary Farmers' Market WEST: $80
- Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour: $127
- Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dayton -Calgary $15
Tours and Activities in Dayton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:
- Daytona Beach: Paddle Pub Experience: $45
- Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
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:
- Tips-Based City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $4.02
- Calgary City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $5.00
- Downtown Calgary a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.63
- Sam Centre Calgary Stampede Museum Ticket: $7.18
- Discover Calgary with 3 Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $15
- Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour: $21
- Shared Tour from Calgary to Moraine, Lake Louise and Emerald Lake: $28
- Calgary Flames Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $28
- Heritage Park Historical Village Admission Ticket: $29
- Victoria Park Mural Tour of Calgary: $37
- Calgary Self Guided Walking Tour and Scavenger Hunt: $42
- Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Half Day Tour: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Calgary $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Dayton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dayton:
- Dive Bar Bus Crawl: $50
Sample the Local Flavors in Calgary
Also in Calgary, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Brewery Tours at Award Winning Venues: $82
- Calgary Brewery Tour: $88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Calgary, we can see that Dayton 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 Dayton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dayton 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 Dayton Expensive? and Is Calgary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Calgary?
Calgary has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Dayton 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.