Calgary on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Calgary is manageable on a budget if you use transit and limit the Rockies to one or two car days. Plan on about C$140 per person per day (bed C$65, food C$45, sights C$20, transport C$10).
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | C$65 | C$120 | C$240 |
| Food & drink | C$45 | C$85 | C$160 |
| Sights & tickets | C$20 | C$50 | C$100 |
| Local transport | C$10 | C$40 | C$80 |
| Per person, per day | C$140 | C$295 | C$580 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Calgary day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk the Bow River pathways and Prince's Island Park
- Cross the Peace Bridge and stroll Kensington
- Explore Stephen Avenue Walk downtown
- Visit the Devonian Gardens indoor park (when open)
- See the view from Crescent Heights and the McHugh Bluff
- Browse Inglewood, the oldest neighbourhood, and the riverbank
Cheap eats
- Ginger beef (a Calgary invention) at a Chinese restaurant: about C$15–20
- Casual meal on 17th Avenue SW: about C$20–30
- Donair or pho: about C$12–18
- Food truck lunch in summer: about C$12–18
- Breakfast at a diner: about C$15–20
Where to sleep for less
Motels near the airport and along Macleod Trail cost about C$110–160 a double, useful with a car. Downtown has a hostel with dorm beds, often roughly C$40–60.
Getting around cheaply
Use the CTrain (free downtown, C$3.80 elsewhere, C$12 day pass). From the airport, bus 300 reaches downtown in 35–45 minutes. For Banff, share a rental car or use regional buses where they run.
A sample budget day
- Morning: walk the river pathways and Prince's Island (free)
- Lunch: food truck or ginger beef (about C$18)
- Afternoon: Calgary Tower (about C$21) and Stephen Avenue
- Evening: casual dinner in the Beltline (about C$30 with tip)
- Total: about C$70 plus your bed (about C$65), so about C$140
More ways to save
- Calculate tips and tax before ordering: add about 20% to menu prices.
- Visit in June or September for lower hotel rates and good weather.
- Pack a lunch for Banff; Banff Avenue prices are high.
- Look for free museum hours or discount days.
- Cook in a hostel or rental with a kitchen.
- Fill up fuel in Calgary before heading into the mountains.
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Common questions
Can I visit Calgary on a budget?
Yes, with transit, free river walks and cheap eats, at about C$140 a day.
How do I get from the airport cheaply?
Bus route 300 to downtown, about 35–45 minutes for a regular fare.
Can I visit Banff without a car?
Yes, on tours, coaches or seasonal regional buses, though a car gives more freedom.