A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Duck vs. Saskatoon for Families, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Duck or Saskatoon?

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

Should I visit Duck 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.

Duck

Duck is a compact, charming, and laid-back beach town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. The beauty of Duck is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking. See Duck travel costs.

Saskatoon

Saskatoon is a cultural, friendly, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Saskatoon travel costs.

Duck and Saskatoon: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Duck or Saskatoon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Duck. Although Duck and Saskatoon are popular destinations, Duck has more sights and attractions for tourists. Duck is very popular for its resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Saskatoon attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Duck is more touristy than Saskatoon and is known for its quaint atmosphere and small town charm. It is also well known for the wide sandy beach. Saskatoon is famous for its agriculture and outdoor spaces.

How is Duck different from Saskatoon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saskatoon and Duck. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Duck or Saskatoon?

Duck
Saskatoon

Saskatoon is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Duck is not a good beach town for its museums and history.

Saskatoon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some museums and historical sites to check out such as Fort Battleford National Historic Site, Batoche National Historic Site, and the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Duck. Hanging out at the beach and enjoy water sports or outdoor activities are the main draw of this town. You won't find much in the form of museums or indoor activities.


Is the Food Better in Duck or Saskatoon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Duck
Saskatoon

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Duck and Saskatoon.

Duck offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For such a small town, there's a decent selection of restaurants that range from local seafood eateries to pizza delivery. Homemade ice cream is a favorite in the area, but you also can't skip out on the flagship Duck Donuts store.

Saskatoon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a great food scene around town with diverse restaurants and cuisines to choose from. You can sample dim sum, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, and many more.

Is Duck or Saskatoon Better for Nightlife?

Duck
Saskatoon

Saskatoon is a popular place for nightlife. However, Duck is not a good beach town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saskatoon. There are enough clubs and bars around town to keep things entertaining. Most cater to a younger crowd, but the vibe is fun and full of energy.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Duck. It's known as a family-friendly destination that isn't often associated with a strong nightlife, but there is often live music and other festivals during the summer months.

Is Duck or Saskatoon Better for Resorts?

Duck
Saskatoon

Duck is a good destination for its resorts. However, Saskatoon is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Duck makes a nice vacation spot. Most of the accommodation around town is in the form of vacation beach rental houses that are perfect for family gatherings or larger groups.

Saskatoon is not a resort destination.


Is Duck or Saskatoon Better for Beaches?

Duck
Saskatoon

Duck is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Saskatoon is not a beach destination.

Duck offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Long sandy beaches with great surf and a wonderful boardwalk make this a great beach destination. Kids play in the tidal pools and families relax under their beach umbrellas in a classic beach setting.

Saskatoon is not a beach destination.

Is Duck or Saskatoon Better for Hiking?

Duck
Saskatoon

Duck is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Saskatoon is not a hiking destination.

Duck offers some nice hiking trails. The Duck Trail runs for six miles and passes through town. It's popular with walkers, cyclists, and inline skaters.

Saskatoon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Duck or Saskatoon?

Duck
Saskatoon

Duck is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Saskatoon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Duck is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to the Waterfront Shops for some of the town's best shopping. You can wander along the boardwalk and check out the independent vendors and local restaurants.

Saskatoon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. A number of brands have opened stores in the downtown area in recent years, so the shopping scene continues to grow and diversify.


Is Duck or Saskatoon More Beautiful?

Duck
Saskatoon

Duck is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Saskatoon is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Duck is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Beautiful sandy beaches and family-friendly parks offer a beautiful and relaxed beach vacation.

Saskatoon is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Duck or Saskatoon Better for Families?

Duck
Saskatoon

Duck is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saskatoon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Duck is a very kid-friendly beach town. Kid-friendly beaches, local ice cream joints, and the famed Duck Donuts all make this an ideal kid's beach destination. There's a waterpark nearby and plenty of water sports that the whole family can enjoy. The boardwalk is also a very family-friendly environment.

Saskatoon is a family-friendly beach town. It's filled with indoor and outdoor play areas. Make sure you check out the Nutrien Wonderhub as well as the countless playgrounds around town.

Is Duck or Saskatoon Better for Couples?

Duck
Saskatoon

Duck is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Saskatoon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Duck is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a charming beach town with great local restaurants and a beautiful and peaceful setting. For couples who want to enjoy a relaxing beach town without the energy of a larger destination, then this is the perfect place. Much of the accommodation is in the form of rental houses, which can be a bit much for a couple, but the setting is perfect for a weekend escape.

Saskatoon is a good beach town for couples to visit. There are plenty of evening activities like dining out at a nice restaurant or taking in a show at the Persephone Theatre.


Is Duck or Saskatoon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Duck
Saskatoon

Both Duck and Saskatoon offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Duck. It's best to have a car if you want to exploring the Outer Banks and its many activities.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saskatoon. There is a bus system around town.

Is Duck or Saskatoon a more walkable city?

Duck
Saskatoon

Duck is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Saskatoon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Duck on foot. It's a wonderfully walkable and pedestrian-friendly town with a great boardwalk and many walking and cycling paths.

Saskatoon is a somewhat walkable beach town. The downtown is walkable and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Duck Worth Visiting? and Is Saskatoon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saskatoon or Duck?

How long in Duck or Saskatoon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Duck and Saskatoon. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Duck than in Saskatoon. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Duck, and 1-3 days is enough time in Saskatoon.

Families should spend more time in Duck than Saskatoon. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Duck, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Duck than Saskatoon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Duck that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saskatoon than Duck if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Saskatoon.


  • How many days in Duck or Saskatoon? Ideal Length of Stay
    Duck 5-7 
    Saskatoon 1-3

One day in Duck or Saskatoon?

Even though Duck is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Saskatoon. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.


A weekend in Duck or Saskatoon?

Duck is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Saskatoon is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Duck or Saskatoon?

Duck is a small town with plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this beach town makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Saskatoon. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Duck or Saskatoon?

Duck is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Duck, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The friendly city of Saskatoon offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing 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 Duck?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Duck Prices
    USA Prices
    Saskatoon Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Duck $221
    Saskatoon $149

The average daily cost (per person) in Duck is $221, while the average daily cost in Saskatoon is $149. 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 Duck and Saskatoon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Duck $107
    Saskatoon $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Duck $214
    Saskatoon $108
Compare Hotels in Duck and Saskatoon

Looking for a hotel in Duck 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 Duck


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: Saskatoon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Duck $66
    Saskatoon $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Duck or Saskatoon?

Prices for flights to both Saskatoon and Duck 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
    Duck $78
    Saskatoon $54

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Duck $13
    Saskatoon $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Duck $45
    Saskatoon $9.60


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck and Saskatoon, we can see that Duck 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 Duck would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Duck 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 Duck Expensive? and Is Saskatoon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Duck or Saskatoon?

Saskatoon has a larger population, and is about 350 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Duck 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.