A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Durango vs. Edmonton for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Durango or Edmonton?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Durango and Edmonton. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Durango

Durango is a charming, quaint, and scenic small town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. Durango is a gorgeous place to visit. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for hiking and museums. See Durango travel costs.

Edmonton

Edmonton is a cultural, authentic, and friendly city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Edmonton travel costs.

Durango and Edmonton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durango or Edmonton?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Durango. Although Durango and Edmonton are both popular with visitors, Durango has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Durango is more popular for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Edmonton is known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and shopping. Durango is more touristy than Edmonton and is popular for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities. It is also home to The Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. Edmonton is popular for its many festivals and lively personality.

How is Durango different from Edmonton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Durango or Edmonton Better for Skiing?

Durango is a moderate small town for snow skiing. However, Edmonton is not a skiing destination.

Locals like to visit Durango to take advantage of their winter sports. Purgatory Ski Resort is about 20 minutes from town and it's a family-friendly mountain with beginner and intermediate runs. It's small, and geared specifically to the beginner and younger crowd.

Edmonton is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durango or Edmonton?

Edmonton is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Durango is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Edmonton. You'll find a number of good museums around town such as the Royal Alberta Museum, Muttart Conservatory, the Alberta Aviation Museum, and the Art Gallery of Alberta.

Durango offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most visitors come to town specifically to ride the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. There's also the D&SNGRR Railroad Museum, and the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.

Is the Food Better in Durango or Edmonton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Durango and Edmonton both to be decent destinations.

Durango offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Most of the restaurants are casual and family-friendly, serving up burgers or sandwiches for a reasonable price. You'll also find some coffeeshops and even a few food trucks and international restaurants.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Edmonton. You'll find a mix of casual cafes, international eateries, and more upscale dining options.

Is Durango or Edmonton Better for Nightlife?

Edmonton is a good destination for nightlife. However, Durango is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Edmonton. There's a mix of nightclubs, bars, and breweries around town. Head to Jasper Avenue for the high end clubs or check out a live show at one of the active theaters around town.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Durango. It's a small town that attracts tourists mainly for its train, so you won't find much in the way of a nightlife scene.

Is Durango or Edmonton Better for its Old Town?

Durango is very good for its historic old town. However, Edmonton does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Durango to see the historical old town. Filled with character, the downtown feels like you've stepped into a Western. The town has a long history as a mining and railroad community, which you can see throughout the historic area. It really feels like you're in the "Wild West."

Edmonton does not have a historic old town.

Is Durango or Edmonton Better for Hiking?

Durango is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Edmonton is not a hiking destination.

Durango is a popular spot for hiking. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beautiful and there is an endless supply of hikes in the region. Popular nearby hikes include Animas Mountain Trail, Falls Creek Trail, and Purgatory Trail.

Edmonton is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Durango or Edmonton?

Edmonton is a very popular place for shopping. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Edmonton. The city is home to the West Edmonton Mall, which is the largest shopping mall in Canada, and among the largest in the world. The mall includes hundreds of shops, restaurants, a hotel, ice rink, movie theaters, an aquarium, and Galaxyland, which is one of the largest indoor amusement parks in the world. The mall is divided into themed sections that represent iconic places from around the world such as Europa Boulevard and Bourbon Street.

If you're looking to go shopping, Durango has some nice offerings. The charming town has some boutiques that sell beautifully made Native American jewelry and other interesting items. There are also souvenir shops and other venues that target tourists specifically.

Is Durango or Edmonton More Beautiful?

Durango is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Edmonton is not a destination known for its beauty.

Durango is a gorgeous place to visit. The town is surrounded by plenty of natural beauty.

Edmonton is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Durango or Edmonton Better for Families?

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

Durango is a very family-friendly place to visit. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Edmonton is a family-friendly small town. Many families live in town so if you're visiting for a few days you'll find plenty to do with kids. Most of the activities are concentrated in the downtown areas and along the south side of the North Saskatchewan River. The whole family will enjoy a visit to Telus World of Science. There's also the Edmonton Valley Zoo, the Alberta Aviation Museum, and Galaxyland, as well as many other activities.

Is Durango or Edmonton Better for Couples?

Edmonton is a good destination for romance. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Edmonton is a nice destination for couples. There's a good theater scene, so you can enjoy dinner and a show. There are also quaint cafes, mellow breweries, and plenty of cultural activities like art museums.

Most people don't think of Durango as a couple's destination. The town may not be the first romantic destination that comes to mind, but the railroad combined with wandering the downtown can make for a great couple's getaway.

Is Durango or Edmonton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Durango is very good for backpackers. However, Edmonton is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Durango is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

Edmonton is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers overlook this city, but there is a hostel in town where you can stay.

Is Durango or Edmonton Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Edmonton is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Edmonton has some public transit options. The city has both bus and light rail systems.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Durango. It's a small town with no real public transit options so a car is a must.

Is Durango or Edmonton a more walkable city?

Edmonton is a good destination for its walkability. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Edmonton is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are very walkable.

Durango is generally not very walkable. While the Main Street through town is walkable, it's not as pedestrian-friendly as some small towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Durango Worth Visiting? and Is Edmonton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Edmonton or Durango?

How long in Durango or Edmonton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Durango or Edmonton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Durango than Edmonton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Durango, and 1-2 days is enough time in Edmonton.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durango than Edmonton 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 Durango.

One day in Durango or Edmonton?

Durango is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Edmonton, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Durango or Edmonton?

Durango is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this small town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Durango, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Edmonton, you'll find nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edmonton has to offer.

Five days in Durango or Edmonton?

Durango is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Edmonton is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Durango or Edmonton?

Durango is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This small town offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edmonton. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Edmonton. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Durango and Edmonton, we can see that Edmonton is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Durango or Edmonton?

Edmonton has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Durango. When comparing the sizes of Durango and Edmonton, 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.