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

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Calgary?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a notable, colonial, and historic city. Saint Augustine is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Saint Augustine travel costs.

Calgary

Calgary is a western, local, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Calgary travel costs.

Saint Augustine and Calgary: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Calgary?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Augustine. Although Saint Augustine and Calgary are popular destinations, Saint Augustine has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Augustine is famous for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. It is also well known for the Colonial Quarter. Calgary is famous for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede.

How is Saint Augustine different from Calgary?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Augustine or Calgary?

Saint Augustine is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Saint Augustine. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calgary. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

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

Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

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 Saint Augustine or Calgary Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Saint Augustine or Calgary has a better nightlife scene.

Saint Augustine has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

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 Saint Augustine or Calgary Better for Beaches?

Saint Augustine is well known for the beach. However, Calgary is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Saint Augustine attract visitors from all over. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Calgary is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Calgary Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is an unbeatable place for its old town. However, Calgary does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Saint Augustine offers plenty to see. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Calgary does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Calgary?

Saint Augustine is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Saint Augustine is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Calgary has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Saint Augustine or Calgary More Beautiful?

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

Saint Augustine is a beautiful place to visit, too. Colonial architecture and a charming atmosphere give this historic town a unique beauty.

Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saint Augustine or Calgary Better for Families?

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

Saint Augustine is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

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 Saint Augustine or Calgary Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Saint Augustine frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Calgary is a good city for couples to visit. 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 Saint Augustine or Calgary Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Calgary is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Saint Augustine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel in town as well as a couple of affordable inns.

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

Calgary is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options 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 Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Is Saint Augustine or Calgary a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Saint Augustine is a very walkable city. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

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 Saint Augustine Worth Visiting? and Is Calgary Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calgary or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Calgary?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint Augustine or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Saint Augustine than Calgary because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Augustine, and 1-2 days is enough time in Calgary.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine.

One day in Saint Augustine or Calgary?

In Saint Augustine, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The western destination of Calgary offers shopping and museums. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Saint Augustine or Calgary?

In Saint Augustine, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

The city of Calgary offers museums and nightlife. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Saint Augustine or Calgary?

Saint Augustine is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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.

Calgary is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Saint Augustine or Calgary?

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

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Calgary. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in 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 Saint Augustine and Calgary, we can see that Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine Expensive? and Is Calgary Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine 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.