A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint John's vs. Calgary for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint John's or Calgary?

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

Should I visit Saint John's or Calgary? 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.

Where Should I go: Saint John's or Calgary?

Saint John's

If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.

St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.

Calgary

Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and, located at the edge of the prairie and foothills, it is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains. If you're headed to Banff or Jasper, this is likely to be your first stop. It's also Canada's fourth largest city and worth a few days visit. Calgary's economy is diverse, but includes energy, financial services, film and television, transportation, technology, manufacturing, and much more.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Saint John's?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $272, while the average daily cost in Calgary is $177. 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 Saint John's and Calgary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Calgary $73
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Calgary $146
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Calgary

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Calgary? 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 Saint Johns


Hotels in Calgary


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: Calgary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Calgary $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:


  • Local Bus
    $1.52
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:

  • 3-Hours Eye-Opening Stingray City Antigua - Transfer R/T included: $133
  • Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $109
  • Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
  • Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $93
  • Antigua to Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) - Departure Transfer: $64
  • Antigua&Barbuda Airport (ANU) to Antigua&Barbuda Private Transfer: $46
  • Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
  • Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
  • Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer): $99
  • JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
  • Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
  • Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:

  • Alberta Transfer: Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary: $62
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Luxury SUV: $141
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Luxury Van: $141
  • Arrival Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary by Business Car: $118
  • Banff (Canmore) to Calgary Airport | Private Transfer: $215
  • Banff Lake Louise or Canmore and Calgary Private Shuttle Transfer: $60
  • Banff/Canmore to Calgary or YYC Airport Private Transfer: $212
  • Banff: Private Transfer to Calgary Airport or Calgary: $126
  • Black Car Airport Transfers in Bow Valley: $295
  • Calgary Airport (YYC) to Banff Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $215
  • Calgary Airport (YYC) to Calgary hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $101
  • Calgary Airport (YYC) to Calgary hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $202

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Calgary?

Prices for flights to both Calgary and Saint John's 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
    Saint John's $117
    Calgary $54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.

  • City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
  • Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
  • Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
  • Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum: $165

Typical Food Prices in Calgary

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:


  • Bread, Chips, Cheese
    $8.10

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Calgary

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Calgary.

  • Sushi Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Calgary: $62
  • Pasta Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Calgary: $63
  • Light Brunch & Food Tour at Calgary Farmers' Market WEST: $80
  • Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour: $127
  • Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour: $129

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    Calgary $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's

Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu
    $3.00

Tours and Activities in Saint John's

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
  • Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
  • Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
  • Half Day Historical Tour in Antigua with Beach: $70
  • Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
  • Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
  • SoCoHo Eco Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $85
  • Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
  • Biggvee Bus Adventure: $90
  • Clear Kayak Tour in Mangrove Antigua: $90
  • Trek Tours Hiking Experience in Antigua: $90
  • Circumnavigate Tour: $95

Typical Entertainment Prices in Calgary

Here are a few typical costs in Calgary for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Stampede Admission (for 2)
    $22

Tours and Activities in Calgary

Here are a few actual costs in Calgary for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Tips-Based City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $4.02
  • Calgary City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $5.00
  • Downtown Calgary a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.63
  • Sam Centre Calgary Stampede Museum Ticket: $7.18
  • Discover Calgary with 3 Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $15
  • Calgary Audio Tour Adventure: $15
  • Rockies Trio: 3 Self Guided Smartphone Audio Tours Bundle: $17
  • Fun Selfie Experience in Calgary: $18
  • Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Calgary with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
  • Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour: $21
  • Shared Tour from Calgary to Moraine, Lake Louise and Emerald Lake: $28
  • Calgary Flames Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Calgary $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Calgary

Also in Calgary, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Brewery Tours at Award Winning Venues: $82
  • Calgary Brewery Tour: $88


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Calgary, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Calgary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Calgary is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's 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 Saint John's Expensive? and Is Calgary Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's 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.