How to explore Calgary (and Banff) on a budget
Posted on October 8, 2017 • 5 minutes • 918 words
Table of contents
Every great Canadian backpacking adventure requires a stop in Calgary, along with a trip to nearby Banff and the Rocky Mountains. It’s a right of passage on the backpacker circuit in Canada. Early morning hikes (or downhill riding, depending on the seasons), big hearty lunches, and late night drinks to celebrate the evening. Between the cost of the adventure and attractions, as well as the cost of accommodations, finding savings when you’re traveling to Calgary and the Rocky Mountains is key to staying within your budget as you backpack across Canada. So follow some of the tips below and find out how you can have your cake and eat it too. 
Save on Accommodations in Calgary
If you’re trying to see Calgary, consider checking out Wicket Hostels in Calgary. They offer free breakfast (including vegemite & nutella), free coffee, free hot chocolate, free wifi, and are an affordable alternative to the expensive “budget” hotels. Plus you’ll end up meeting some amazing backpackers who might be heading the same direction as you. If you’re staying in Banff consider checking out the Samesun Hostel (which I should add has an awesome bar), or of course there’s also a HI Hostel if that’s more your speed. Many people choose to stick around Calgary to look for work and make trips out to Banff, while others decide to headquarter themselves in Banff. Just be warned Banff is a backpackers mecca, which means you’ll have a lot more fun with other backpackers, but at a cost. While Calgary is a fun city, the concentration of backpackers per square mile is significantly less. Most hostels in Canada will run you around $35 CAD per night, though discounts are often available for week long stays or longer, as well as during the slower seasons. 
Save on flights to Calgary
Hunt. Hunt. Then hunt some more. Make sure you’re watching for flights at least 6 weeks in advance. Check all of your options. Grab flight price reminder apps like Hopper, stalk Google Flights like a maniac, call your local travel agent and demand the cheap flights to Calgary
. My go to local travel agent is Nanak Flights, but even amongst travel agents it’s good practice to call more than one. You might have to take some flights in the middle of the night or earlier than you’re used to waking up, but if it saves you over $100+, consider it a win as that can cover at least a tour and a fun night out. Any extra is just pure bonus. 
Travel in Groups
The Rocky’s can be an expensive place to travel, as can Calgary. Most backpackers treat them as a “package deal”. Due to the distance of Calgary from Vancouver, many opt to fly in to the big city and work their way back to the Rockies. Other’s brave the haul and go direct to Banff and setup their “home base” from there. No matter what method you choose to take in Calgary and Banff, do yourself a favour and try to find a group to travel with. Make friends at the backpacker bars, or the local hostels, and split gas, camping fees. By sticking with a group of three or four you can easily save a couple hundred on bus trips alone. Not to mention the savings on food, beer, and more.
When in doubt, find a backpacker tour company
If you’re more shy and aren’t able to just meet strangers and join them on their travels, consider checking out the folks at Moose Travel Network
for a one of a kind backpacker experience. It’s not the cheapest way to travel, but if you budget for it and discount the “bang for buck” factor of meeting a big group of people and being forced out of your comfort zone, Moose Travel Network ends up looking like a good option. 
Cook your own food 80% of the time
I love the 80/20 rule. If you can cook 80% of your meals, whether that means slapping balogna and mustard between bread or making ramen with peanut butter (don’t judge - try it), and leave 20% of your meals to having a bite out, you’re going to save money in the long run. If you break it down to three meals per day, per week, you’re looking at 21 meals in total. 21 meals x 0.8 = 16.8 meals, so let’s round up to 17. That means you get 4 nights out per week to enjoy a little dinner. Or 2 days where you get to binge on lunch and dinner. Or if you’re a breakfast fiend like me, that means 3 breakfasts per week with 1 random night out. (Pro tip, breakfasts are usually the cheapest meal to eat out). Whatever your method, cooking your own food is a great way to save money, meet people, share cultures, and a great opportunity for finding someone to add to your travel group. 
Save money on transportation
Relying on greyhound and public transit can add up. So consider looking for coupons, promotions, and bulk passes. For instance, if you’re planning on staying in Calgary for longer than a few days, grab a day pass on those day’s you’re going to be non stop using public transit, or better yet, pick up a 10-ticket pass for Calgary’s public transit for you to use a few days before your trip to Banff, and a few days after.
