A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Banff vs. Calgary for Couples, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Banff or Calgary?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Banff or Calgary? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Banff

Banff is a sporty, adventurous, and scenic town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The beauty of Banff is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the skiing, nightlife, and food. See Banff travel costs.

Calgary

Calgary is a local, authentic, and western city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Calgary travel costs.

Banff and Calgary: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Banff or Calgary?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Banff than Calgary, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Banff is better known for its skiing, food, nightlife, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Calgary is more popular for its museums and attractions. Banff is well known for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes. Also, Banff is famous for Lake Louise. Calgary is well known for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede.

How is Banff different from Calgary?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calgary and Banff. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Banff or Calgary Better for Skiing?

Banff is an unbeatable place for winter skiing. However, Calgary is not a skiing destination.

Visitors will find world class skiing in Banff. The town makes a great base for experiencing the three nearby ski resorts: Banff Sunshine, The Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt Norquay. You can purchase a SkiBig3 Lift Ticket and experience the area's best skiing. There's a long ski season and a stunning setting within the Canadian Rockies.

Calgary is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Banff or Calgary?

Calgary is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Calgary offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Banff or Calgary? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Banff is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Banff. The downtown has bistros, taverns, and many casual eateries. For a more fine dining experience, you can go to one of the luxury hotels, which have nice dining areas. Throughout town you'll find classic Canadian food like poutine, as well as pizza and bar food.

Calgary may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.

Is Banff or Calgary Better for Nightlife?

Banff is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Banff is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It's a great town for partying and it's compact and easy to barhop if you want. For the town's size, you'll find a huge number of bars and breweries to choose from, and there's always something going on.

If you're looking for night time activities Calgary has a few options to choose from. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Is Banff or Calgary Better for Hiking?

Banff is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Around Banff visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The town is set within Banff National Park, and is surrounded by world class hiking. There are more than 1,000 miles of trails that wander alongside rivers, lead to waterfalls, or climb mountain peaks. You may also see local wildlife.

Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Banff or Calgary?

Both Banff and Calgary are notable shopping destinations.

Banff offers some nice shopping areas. There are tons of downtown shops that sell local items, art, sports gear, or clothing.

Calgary has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.

Is Banff or Calgary More Beautiful?

Banff is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Banff is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The dramatic Rocky Mountains and stunning natural beauty make this an iconic and beautiful destination.

Calgary is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Banff or Calgary Better for Families?

Banff is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Banff is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will enjoy the low key hikes like Tunnel Mountain hike. There's also the Banff Gondola and several playgrounds in downtown Banff. For adventure activities, check out the Golden Skybridge or Lake Louise.

Calgary offers lots of family activities. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.

Is Banff or Calgary Better for Couples?

Banff is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Banff is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's a beautiful destination for a honeymoon or anniversary trip. There are countless hikes and stunning natural beauty. There are also spas, horseback riding, and many great restaurants.

Calgary is a good town for couples to visit. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend trip.

Is Banff or Calgary Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Banff is well known for backpackers. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Banff is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Calgary. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Banff or Calgary Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Banff and Calgary offer notable public transit options.

Banff has a few public transit options. There's a bus system, Roam, that connects the towns of Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise.

Calgary has some public transit options. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.

Is Banff or Calgary a more walkable city?

Banff is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Banff is a very walkable town. The downtown is very walkable and there are trailheads nearby as well.

Calgary is generally not a very walkable town. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

For even more information, also check out Is Banff Worth Visiting? and Is Calgary Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calgary or Banff?

How long in Banff or Calgary?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Banff or Calgary to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Banff than Calgary because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Banff, and 1-2 days is enough time in Calgary.

Families should spend more time in Banff than Calgary. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Banff, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Banff than Calgary. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Banff that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Banff than Calgary if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Banff.

One day in Banff or Calgary?

Banff is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Calgary, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this western destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Banff or Calgary?

Banff might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Banff has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calgary. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Banff or Calgary?

Banff is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Banff has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Calgary is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Calgary. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Banff or Calgary?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Banff. Since Banff is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the local destination of Calgary. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Toronto, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Vancouver.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Banff and Calgary, we can see that Calgary is more expensive. And not only is Banff much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Banff would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Banff and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Calgary would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calgary than you might in Banff.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Banff Expensive? and Is Calgary Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Banff or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Banff and Calgary, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.