A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Flagstaff vs. Calgary for Food, Families, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Flagstaff or Calgary?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Flagstaff and Calgary can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a active, adventurous , and picturesque city. Flagstaff is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Flagstaff travel costs.

Calgary

Calgary is a authentic, western, and local city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Calgary travel costs.

Flagstaff and Calgary: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Flagstaff or Calgary?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Flagstaff than Calgary. While Calgary is larger than Flagstaff, Flagstaff has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Flagstaff is popular for its nearby craters and volcanic caves as well as its location along the historic Route 66. It is also home to Walnut Canyon National Monument. Calgary is popular for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede.

How is Flagstaff different from Calgary?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Flagstaff or Calgary?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Flagstaff or Calgary.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Flagstaff. Lowell Observatory is a highlight for many visitors, especially those who are fascinated by space. There's also the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Pioneer Museum, and Fort Tuthill Military History Museum.

Calgary is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

Is the Food Better in Flagstaff or Calgary? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Flagstaff is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Flagstaff. The food scene is diverse and growing. There's a focus on local recipes and ingredients. You'll also find many casual and family-friendly restaurants. American cuisine is common, but you'll also find burritos, Indian curries, and frittatas.

Calgary may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. 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.

Is Flagstaff or Calgary Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Flagstaff and Calgary.

Flagstaff has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a range of bars and cocktail lounges around town that come to life in the evening hours.

If you're looking for night time activities Calgary has a few options to choose from. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Is Flagstaff or Calgary Better for Hiking?

Flagstaff is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Around Flagstaff visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Nearby you'll find world class hikes through surreal landscapes and diverse environments. The area is filled with desert landscapes and varied rock formations that are best explored on foot. Trails range in length and skill level, but whatever your ability, the hiking in the area is among the best.

Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Flagstaff or Calgary?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Calgary and Flagstaff.

Many visitors go to Flagstaff to go shopping. Located along historic Route 66, you'll find many shops that capture the city's history, particularly in the Southside Historic District. The town also has farmer's markets as well as shopping centers and large malls.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calgary. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.

Is Flagstaff or Calgary More Beautiful?

Flagstaff is a city with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

Flagstaff is a beautiful place to visit, too. While the city itself isn't exactly beautiful, the surrounding landscapes are surreal and truly unique.

Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Flagstaff or Calgary Better for Families?

Flagstaff is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Flagstaff is a very kid-friendly city. The city is filled with outdoor activities for kids like ropes courses and adventure parks. Kids will also enjoy climbing around the Lava River Cave, visiting Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, or hiking through the many diverse landscapes in the area. There are also museums that educate visitors on the city's history as well as Lowell Observatory, which will intrigue all the space enthusiasts among us.

Calgary offers lots of family activities. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.

Is Flagstaff or Calgary Better for Couples?

Both Flagstaff and Calgary are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Flagstaff is a good city for couples to visit. Hiking and outdoor adventure sports make this city a good destination for couples who enjoy active living. There are many parks that you can visit as well as hiking trails and unique natural settings.

Calgary is a nice destination for couples. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend trip.

Is Flagstaff or Calgary Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Flagstaff is well known for backpackers. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Flagstaff is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are campgrounds nearby as well as tons of nature parks and countless hiking trails in the area.

Plenty of backpackers visit Calgary. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Flagstaff or Calgary Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Calgary is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Flagstaff is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Calgary, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.

Public transit is mostly limited in Flagstaff. The Mountain Line offers eight routes through town.

Is Flagstaff or Calgary a more walkable city?

Flagstaff is a city with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Flagstaff is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown is compact and walkable, but you'll really want to have a car to explore the nearby hiking trails and natural areas.

Calgary is generally not a very walkable city. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

For even more information, also check out Is Flagstaff Worth Visiting? and Is Calgary Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calgary or Flagstaff?

How long in Flagstaff or Calgary?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Flagstaff or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Flagstaff than Calgary because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Flagstaff, and 1-2 days is enough time in Calgary.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Flagstaff than Calgary 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 Flagstaff.

One day in Flagstaff or Calgary?

In Flagstaff, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Calgary. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Calgary has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Flagstaff or Calgary?

In Flagstaff, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Flagstaff has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Calgary. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Flagstaff or Calgary?

Flagstaff is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the western city of Calgary. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Flagstaff or Calgary?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Flagstaff. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Flagstaff. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Calgary is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Flagstaff or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Flagstaff. When comparing the sizes of Flagstaff 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.