Canadian fans fortunate enough to secure tickets for Taylor Swift’s much-anticipated six concerts in Toronto have already invested a significant amount. Those residing outside of Toronto are now also factoring in expenses for travel and lodging in November 2024.
Securing the Golden Ticket Triumph
At 24 years old, Ashley Stewart had the chance to see Taylor Swift during the Fearless tour when it made a stop in her home province of Prince Edward Island back in 2010. However, this time around, she was aware that the pop star wouldn’t be performing anywhere east of Toronto.
“Coming from the Atlantic provinces, we knew that traveling would be necessary if we wanted to catch her show. So, we anticipated that for the Eras Tour, travel expenses would be involved,” explained Stewart, a devoted fan of Swift.
Obtaining the presale code for Swift’s tickets was an exhilarating moment for Stewart, feeling like a scene straight out of a movie.
“It’s like we’re living in ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,’ and I just unveiled my golden ticket,” she exclaimed to her grandmother when she received the email containing the code from Ticketmaster.
When Friday morning arrived, Stewart managed to secure two tickets, which amounted to just over $150 each for her and her best friend.
As it’s still too early to book flights and accommodations, Stewart is using the prices available for November 2023 to estimate that a round-trip flight from Charlottetown will likely cost around $500 per person before taxes.
“The flight will undoubtedly be the most significant expense,” she remarked, also mentioning her uncertainty about hotel costs.
“If this were happening this year, I wouldn’t have been able to afford it. However, having 14 months to save is making it more manageable.”
The projected total cost, covering tickets and transportation: $650 per person.
Saving A Year Ahead
Augine Mendita, a 28-year-old dedicated fan from Edmonton, had hoped that Taylor Swift’s tour would make a stop at her city’s large stadium. However, she wasn’t taken aback when Toronto was selected as the tour destination, as it will be her first time visiting the city.
Teaming up with a friend who had a Ticketmaster presale code, they chose the more budget-friendly ticket options. With tears of happiness, they managed to secure the maximum allocation of four tickets at $169 each.
Mendita acknowledged that domestic flights in Canada can be quite expensive. “Flying within Canada is not cheap. It’s probably like cheaper to go to America even, than flying to Toronto,” she remarked. While she hasn’t yet found accommodations for the event, she estimates that flights, hotels, or Airbnb rentals will cost around $500 per person. She appreciates the fact that at least accommodations can be shared among four people.
Mendita is confident that the experience will be worth it and is grateful for the opportunity to save up a year in advance. Her next challenge is to decide which of her eight friends will be joining her with the four tickets.
Anticipated total expenses, encompassing tickets, accommodations, and transportation: $795 per person.
A Unique Opportunity
Melissa Gunn’s eyes welled up with tears four times as she navigated the process of securing Taylor Swift concert tickets for herself and her 10-year-old daughter, Violet.
“The overwhelming excitement is shared between both Violet and me. She’s such a wonderful kid, and this is truly well-deserved,” said the 44-year-old mother from Nova Scotia.
Gunn is committed to setting aside a portion of her paycheque as “fun money” in preparation for the event in November 2024.
“I’ll be keeping an eye out for flight prices by setting up Google Alerts. Additionally, I’ll reach out to family and friends to explore potential accommodation options for parts of the trip,” she explained.
With hopes of surprising her daughter with a hotel close to the concert venue, Gunn anticipates the total expenditure for the journey, which includes tickets, lodging, and meals, to be around $5,000.
While Gunn acknowledges the significant cost, she emphasizes that the experience is priceless when considering her daughter’s preteen years.
“If this were solely for me, I might question the expense. However, given that it’s a unique opportunity for my daughter during her formative years, the cost is insignificant,” she added.
Estimated total cost, including tickets, accommodations, and transportation: $2,500 per person.