There is an addictive undercurrent to Winnipeg. A vibrant arts scene, interesting museums, quirky districts, bustling food halls, and lovely outdoor spaces. Best of all, it’s one of Canada’s cheapest cities. That means you can come here and play for less.
The terrifyingly frosty winters may deter some, but Winnipeggers take the good with the bad, as mighty summers are never far. When they arrive, that means cheap cans of Canadian Molson on the green and flaming BBQs with meats for a few dollars, all while basking in the sun. If there’s snow outside, it’s the same procedure, only under a roof with a toasty fire going.
Get ready to find out how to travel to Winnipeg on a budget!
How to Get from Winnipeg Richardson International Airport to the City Center for Cheap
Winnipeg Richardson International Airport is a short 25-minute spin from the city center and is nicely linked with the Winnipeg Transit Bus. Available from 5:24 am until 1:17 am daily, the bus fare costs CAD $3.45 (€2.15) for those who pay in cash.
Ridesharing apps like Uber are also in service in Winnipeg, with direct rides offered from the airport. Usually, the journey costs around CAD $26 (€16.23), but it will depend on how much demand there is when you order. Also look into other options like Lyft, which may give you better bang for your buck.
Public Transport in Winnipeg - How Does It Compare to Other Canadian Cities
Winnipeg Transit will be your best friend while on the ground. This is the city’s bus service that will allow you to move between places at a low price.
If you’re a little cashaholic like me, you might want to put your preferences to one side when it comes to transport. It’s cheaper to use a Peggo card instead. These are cards that you pay a CAD $5 (€3.12) fee for, and then you get discounted bus tickets. For instance, a single cash ticket is CAD $3.45 (€2.15), but with an e-card it’s CAD $3.10 (€1.93).
That said, for anyone taking one or two bus rides, it won’t be worth your while, but if you’re in the city for a few days, it will. One thing to be aware of is that change is not provided when paying with cash on buses, so you’ll need the exact amount.
As for organizing your trips, I suggest you download the free Navigo app on your phone, as it gives you the ability to plan routes ahead of time. This way you won’t be stuck asking people at every bus stop how to get here, there, and everywhere.
How Do You Have Fun in Winnipeg Without Spending Much Money?
Go Neighborhood Hopping; No Ticket Required
What’s the best way to get to know a city? Go and get lost in its neighborhoods, of course. Winnipeg has a lot of cool ones.
Kick things off in the Exchange District. The heritage buildings and tree-lined streets here are gorgeous enough that you’ll be reaching for your camera every few steps. A CAD $4 (€2.50) coffee at Kopi is the perfect excuse to slow down and admire the architecture.
Next, you’ll make your way over to Corydon, what Winnipeggers call ‘Little Italy.’ You’d be mistaken for thinking you were on the streets of Rome here, with people eating outside on cute porches and mighty ice cream shops that invite you for a cool-down on a hot summer’s day. The fancy clothes and jewelry shops may tempt you on your wander, but not so fast; you’ve got a budget to work with. The Honey Bunny Pastry Shop’s confections are more worth spending your money on than some boutique, or maybe that’s just the foodie in me.
Another district you’ll love in Winnipeg is Chinatown. Think oriental-style buildings stretching across one block, with the smell of Cantonese food dominating your senses. Surely some dim sum will be on the cards too.
Feed Your Sense of Adventure Without the Hefty Price Tag
Even in cities like Winnipeg, adventure is never far. The Seine River’s Greenway trail is a great example, taking you on a bike loop through lush urban forest that makes you forget you’re still in the city. Rentals from companies like Bee2gether Bikes cost CAD $20 (€12.48) per hour.
On foot, explore the 117-acre Bois-des-Esprits and its selection of habitats, from wetlands to oak-treed areas, which sits right in the heart of the city. From fun trails to a network of oxbows, a morning ramble through here is a great way to start the day while not having to spend any money.
Take an Affordable Self-Guided Food Tour Around Winnipeg
Winnipeg has so much tasty grub, you’ll be spoiled for choice, even on a small budget. A classic stop on the foodie trail is the Forks’ Market. You will hear everyone talking about this old railway yard that got a makeover and is now a quirky hub filled with eateries like Fergie’s Fish and Chips (CAD $9.51 (€5.93) for cod and chips) and chill spaces to mingle.
Hargrave St. Market is a new up-and-comer on the food scene in Winnipeg, with a bunch of nice places to get your feed on. Try to visit for Good Fight Tacos’ Taco Tuesday specials, where you can find tacos for CAD $4.50 (€2.81) apiece after 5 pm.
Whenever you get hungry while you’re out sightseeing, always try to look out for Vietnamese or shawarma places, as these provide the best value. Banh Ngon’s banh mi for CAD $7 (€4.37) is always a good choice, and so are the chicken shawarmas for CAD $7.49 (€4.67) at Shawarma Castle.
Hit up a Few Museums for Less
You get two types of museums in Winnipeg: the cheap ones and the free ones. Do both, especially if you need to hide from the rain or the snow.
The big-name museum everyone wants to visit is the Museum of Human Rights, which explores this very topic, but not from a global perspective; rather, from a Canadian one. You’ll find rolling galleries here that change during different periods of the year. These are related to interesting topics, such as the country’s periods when the LGBT community was treated unfairly. Tickets cost CAD $23 (€14.35), but if you’re between 18 and 24 years old, you can get access for CAD $11.50 (€7.18).
There’s a similar arrangement at the Manitoba Museum, which covers all things related to nature, history, and science in the province. 18-to 24-year-olds pay CAD $12.50 (€7.80), whereas general admission costs CAD $24 (€14.98).
Prefer to learn something without spending a cent? The Winnipeg Police Museum is a fascinating gallery, packed with brilliant displays on the city’s police force. Or head to the Musée de Saint-Boniface, which honors the Franco-Manitoban people and their history.
Explore Winnipeg’s Creative Side Through Street Art
Winnipeg is home to over 600 works of public art, spread across walls all over the city. Tracking them down is a fun way to spend an afternoon, though you’ll want to plan your route a little if you want to see the classics.
In the North End, it won’t take long before you come across the giant ‘Mending,’ a mural of an Indigenous woman, while Downtown has the ‘Love All Day’ sign, a well-known stop on any street art walk.
You won’t manage to see them all in one visit, but a handful of highlights is easily doable. And since it’s all out in the open, it’s completely free.
Tips for Doing Winnipeg with Little or No Money
Pack for the weather. If you come here during winter, dress in layers and don’t forget your jacket. Summer visitors will need decent sunscreen, a pair of shades, a cap, and you’ll be good to go.
The end of November until the beginning of March is low season. Travel then for the lowest prices, or you’ll end up paying a premium in the high season.
Utilize the Peggo unlimited e-pass if you’re going to be using public transport a lot. 24-hour, 3-day, 7-day, and 28-day passes are all available and provide better value than buying a ticket every time you want to ride.
Bring a comfortable pair of shoes. You can walk to many places in Winnipeg, which saves you from wasting money traveling all across the city.
Take advantage of eateries and bars offering happy hour deals. From 2-for-1s to discounted plates, happy hour is the best time to eat out.
Best Time to Visit Winnipeg
It really comes down to what kind of trip you’re after. If soaking up Canadian sunshine and highs of 27°C sounds good, June to September is your window. Just know you’ll pay for the privilege, since that’s peak season for foreign and domestic tourists alike, including plenty crossing over from the US. More visitors means higher prices across the board.
Winnipeg’s winters, on the other hand, are a different story entirely. From November to March, lows of -18°C and regular snowfall aren’t unusual. It’s a completely different kind of trip, but a far cheaper one because far fewer people are willing to brave it. Locals lean into it, ducking into cozy cafes or warming up at Nordic spa-style centers, and there’s no reason you can’t do the same.
How Expensive Is Winnipeg
Food
Winnipeggers love their food, and they have the low prices to go with it. Mornings are best spent at locally run cafes, where homestyle breakfasts like bacon and eggs can be found for as low as CAD $9 (€5.60).
At lunch, keep an eye out for specials in places like the Forks, which has a range of dining options under one roof, with plenty of budget-friendly plates like soups for CAD $5.90 (€3.67) and sambos for CAD $11 (€6.85).
At dinner, you’ll have to try a fat boy burger; a true Winnipeg special. These are essentially juicy burgers with chili served on top that go down an absolute treat for around CAD $10 (€6.23).
Drinks
If you like a drink or ten, save the guzzling for happy hour. Bars across the city compete for your business with discounted drinks at set times throughout the day. Think house beers for CAD $5 (€3.12) and CAD $10 (€6.24) cocktails, old fashioneds included.
You won’t have to worry about constantly buying water, as the tap water in Winnipeg is perfectly safe to drink. Another bit of savings there for you.
Accommodation
How much you splash on accommodation really depends on where you stay. The area around the airport is your cheapest bet, with rooms going for around CAD $65 (€40.47) a night, though you’ll be relying on buses to get into the city each time. Stay closer to the Forks instead, and you’re looking at around CAD $170 (€105.86) a night, but you’re paying for the location, since it’s far more vibrant and central.
Conclusion
Winnipeg has made a name for itself across Canada, with more travelers choosing it over the usual hotspots.
After hitting a few of the classic destinations across the country, you’ll want somewhere to reset. A city that gives you a bit of everything: home comforts, pristine nature nearby, and prices that won’t empty your wallet. This is the definition of Winnipeg.
Expect to spend hours in museums nerding out to Manitoba’s history and getting your step count up well past 10,000 while searching for street art. That’s how days go in Winnipeg, and the city is unapologetic about it.
