How much does it cost to travel to Banff?
You should plan to spend around $86 (CA$116) per day on your vacation in Banff. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $29 (CA$39) on meals
- $5.25 (CA$7.13) on local transportation
- $78 (CA$106) on hotels
A one week trip to Banff for two people costs, on average, $1,200 (CA$1,630). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Banff has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Banff expensive to visit?
Banff is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Canada, which is a moderately priced country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 25% of cities in the country for its affordability. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Banff is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Vernon, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Key West.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Banff Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Banff?
The average Banff trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Banff travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
CA$106
($78)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
CA$7.13
($5)
|
|
Food 2
|
CA$39
($29)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
CA$17
($12)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
CA$6 -
19
($5 - 14)
|
Accommodation Budget in Banff
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Banff is $39 (CA$53). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Banff is $78 (CA$106). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Banff? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Banff
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Banff is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.25 (CA$7.13) per person, per day, on local transportation in Banff.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$5.25
CA$7.13
How much does it cost to go to Banff? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Banff will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Banff
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Banff can vary, the average cost of food in Banff is $29 (CA$39) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Banff should cost around $12 (CA$16) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Banff is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$29
CA$39
Typical prices for Food in Banff are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Banff, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Tea House Lunch for Two
CA$45
-
Hostel Breakfast
CA$37
-
McDonalds
CA$6.38
Entertainment Budget in Banff
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Banff typically cost an average of $12 (CA$17) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$12
CA$17
Typical prices for Entertainment in Banff are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Banff, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Alcohol Budget in Banff
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $9.47 (CA$13) on alcoholic beverages in Banff per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$9.47
CA$13
Water Budget in Banff
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.83 (CA$1.12) on bottled water in Banff per day. The public water in Banff is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.83
CA$1.12
Banff on a Budget
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park
Nestled in the pristine and gorgeous mountains of the Alberta Rockies is the popular town of Banff. This town sits right in Canada's Banff National Park and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
While the surrounding nature may give the impression of a quiet, little town, Banff is typically crowded with tourists. The beauty of this area is irresistible for travelers from all over the world. This may not be the place for solitude or even an authentic, country experience, you'll still find an unforgettable vacation.
Sights
If you'd like to see where it all began, be sure to visit the
Cave and Basin National Historic site. This spot is home to the hot sulphur springs, and where Canada's National Park system was founded. Take a stroll along their short nature trails or stop by the site of the original bathhouse from 1887.
While wildlife sightings are a pretty common and frequent occurrence in Banff, you may not always get to see the creatures you hoped for. In that case, make a visit to the Banff Park Museum National Historic site. Bear sightings are guaranteed.
The greatest sight, however, in the whole of Banff, is actually
the whole of Banff. A trip up the Banff Gondola gives visitors the most stunning views of the Canadian Rockies. As you rise over seven thousand feet, you won't believe the amazing sights in store for you. At the top of the trip, you'll find a restaurant, gift shop, boardwalk and observation deck. Have your cameras ready for the marvelous views at the summit of Sulphur Mountain.
Activities
Depending on the time of year you decide to venture to Banff, you'll have your pick of incredible activities. Should you travel during the winter, remember that Banff is home to some of the most exceptional ski resorts in the world. Between the Lake Louise Mountain Resort, the Sunshine Village and the Ski Norquay, take your pick of which hill to tackle first. Bear in mind that all the hills are busier on the weekends. And if you're dying to ski like the locals, you'll wan to select Ski Norquay as your destination.
After a full day of skiing, it might be time for something a little different. The icewalks offered around the park are a perfect opportunity to see a true winter wonderland of frozen waterfalls and rivers. Wrap yourself up and join in on one of the evening tours – complete with hot cocoa and a campfire at the end.
Should you decide the colder months aren't for you, you'll find plenty of
things to do in Banff during those warmer summer months. Numerous hiking trails are accessible from the main town along with tours for horseback riding, white water rafting, and so much more.
Not far from the Banff city center are the Blue Canoe docks. Hop into a canoe for a peaceful and serene getaway trip down the Bow River. There's also plenty of canoeing options available on Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
Wildlife sightings are popular in Banff. Keep your eyes out for a number of different creatures roaming the area in the summertime. While wildlife watching can be a fun activity, please keep your distance. The people of Banff would like to keep their animals wild, and some can be very dangerous. If there are certain animals on your bucket list, it is recommended you book a tour with a guide who knows the area.
Food and Dining
Because this region is so heavily populated with tourists and transient workers, you won't have a problem finding the food you crave. This town is full of pubs, fast food and expensive fine dining. Since you're in Alberta, you'd be missing out if you didn't try at least one steak.
For lengthy hikes, be sure to stock up on snacks and water at the local convenience stores.
Transportation
Banff is a small town meaning every destination is likely within walking distance. The walks are typically pretty easy and let you discover random adventures around the river, through the forests and up the mountains.
Bicycling is also a popular option given there are several trails leading to fantastic lake and mountain views.
Banff also has a
broad public transit system that runs through the town. The routes connect all the area hotels and attractions.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
We spent more than we had planned to while we were in town, but it was still worth it. Some of the restaurants are pretty expensive.