A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rapid City vs. Saskatoon for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Rapid City or Saskatoon?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Rapid City and Saskatoon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Rapid City

Rapid City is a activity-filled, friendly, and fascinating city. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping. See Rapid City travel costs.

Saskatoon

Saskatoon is a friendly, authentic, and cultural city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Saskatoon travel costs.

Rapid City and Saskatoon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rapid City or Saskatoon?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Rapid City than Saskatoon. While Saskatoon is larger than Rapid City, Rapid City has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rapid City is better known for its museums and attractions and hiking, while Saskatoon is more popular for its nightlife. Rapid City is more touristy than Saskatoon and is popular for its proximity to Mount Rushmore and many other iconic parks. Also, Rapid City is famous for Mount Rushmore. Saskatoon is well known for its agriculture and outdoor spaces.

How is Rapid City different from Saskatoon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Rapid City or Saskatoon?

Rapid City is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Saskatoon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Rapid City are among the most recognizable in the world. You'll find a wide variety of museums and landmarks nearby. Popular places to visit that aren't far from town include the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, the South Dakota Air & Space Museum, and the Journey Museum & Learning Center. There's also the Museum of Geology and the National Presidential Wax Museum. And of course, there's the iconic Mount Rushmore.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saskatoon. 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.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Rapid City and Saskatoon can be an enjoyable experience.

Rapid City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find local restaurants in town that serve local specialties such as chislic (grilled meat), fry bread, and walleye (a local fish.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Saskatoon area. 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 Rapid City or Saskatoon Better for Nightlife?

Saskatoon is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Rapid City is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Rapid City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. You'll find some places with live music and good drinks, but the city isn't really known for its nightlife scene.

Is Rapid City or Saskatoon Better for Hiking?

Rapid City is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Saskatoon is not a hiking destination.

Rapid City is a popular spot for hiking. The region is filled with national parks, state parks, and natural areas with wonderful hiking trails. You don't have to travel far to get into nature and experience some of South Dakota's best natural beauty.

Saskatoon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rapid City or Saskatoon?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Rapid City and Saskatoon.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Rapid City. Rapid City has some interesting local shops as well as larger malls and shopping centers.

Many visitors go to Saskatoon to go shopping. A number of brands have opened stores in the downtown area in recent years, so the shopping scene continues to grow and diversify.

Is Rapid City or Saskatoon Better for Families?

Rapid City is an unbeatable 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.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Rapid City is very family-friendly. Nearby national parks and outdoor activities, this is the perfect base for exploring the area with kids. Nearby you'll find the Big Thunder Gold Mine, which has tours and lets you pan for gold, and Custer State Park, which is filled with wildlife. Wall Drug is worth a stopoff, as is Dinosaur Park.

Saskatoon is a family-friendly city. 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 Rapid City or Saskatoon Better for Couples?

Rapid City 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.

Rapid City is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy the amazing national parks in the area and the easy access to iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore. There are many opportunities for wildlife spotting as well as great hiking trails and unique landscapes.

Saskatoon is a good city 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 Rapid City or Saskatoon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rapid City is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Saskatoon is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Rapid City is a great city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will appreciate the surrounding natural beauty and the nearby national parks.

Saskatoon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers skip this town in favor of more popular destinations.

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

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Rapid City and Saskatoon.

Public transit is mostly limited in Rapid City. While there are a few buses, this isn't a realistic option for traveling through the region.

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

Is Rapid City or Saskatoon a more walkable city?

Saskatoon is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Rapid City is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

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

Rapid City is generally not very walkable. While the downtown is walkable, most visitors use the city as a base for exploring the surrounding areas, and this requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Saskatoon or Rapid City?

How long in Rapid City or Saskatoon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rapid City and Saskatoon. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rapid City than in Saskatoon. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Rapid City, and 1-3 days is enough time in Saskatoon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rapid City than Saskatoon 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 Rapid City.

One day in Rapid City or Saskatoon?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Rapid City. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the friendly city of Saskatoon, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saskatoon, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Rapid City or Saskatoon?

You'll find museums and food around the activity-filled destination of Rapid City. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Saskatoon, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Rapid City or Saskatoon?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fascinating city of Rapid City. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Saskatoon, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Rapid City or Saskatoon?

Rapid City is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Saskatoon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Rapid City and Saskatoon, we can see that Saskatoon 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 Rapid City Expensive? and Is Saskatoon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rapid City or Saskatoon?

Saskatoon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rapid City. When comparing the sizes of Rapid City 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.