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

Should you visit Banff or Edmonton?

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

Should I visit Banff or Edmonton? 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 scenic, outdoorsy, and sporty town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and skiing.

Edmonton

Edmonton is a authentic, friendly, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Banff and Edmonton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Banff or Edmonton?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Banff. Although Banff and Edmonton are popular destinations, Banff has more sights and attractions for tourists. Banff is very popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Edmonton attracts visitors for its museums and shopping. Banff is more touristy than Edmonton and is known for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes. It is also well known for Lake Louise. Edmonton is famous for its many festivals and lively personality.

How is Banff different from Edmonton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Banff or Edmonton Better for Skiing?

Banff is an unbeatable place for snow skiing. However, Edmonton is not a skiing destination.

Banff is among the world's best ski destinations. 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.

Edmonton is not a skiing destination.

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

Edmonton is notable for its sights and museums. However, Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Edmonton offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. You'll find a number of good museums around town such as the Royal Alberta Museum, Muttart Conservatory, the Alberta Aviation Museum, and the Art Gallery of Alberta.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Banff is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Edmonton is not a good city for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Banff makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Edmonton. You'll find a mix of casual cafes, international eateries, and more upscale dining options.

Is Banff or Edmonton Better for Nightlife?

Banff is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Edmonton is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Banff offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Edmonton. There's a mix of nightclubs, bars, and breweries around town. Head to Jasper Avenue for the high end clubs or check out a live show at one of the active theaters around town.

Is Banff or Edmonton Better for Hiking?

Banff is an unbeatable place for the nearby hiking options. However, Edmonton is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Banff specifically for its hiking. 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.

Edmonton is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Banff or Edmonton?

Edmonton is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Edmonton is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is home to the West Edmonton Mall, which is the largest shopping mall in Canada, and among the largest in the world. The mall includes hundreds of shops, restaurants, a hotel, ice rink, movie theaters, an aquarium, and Galaxyland, which is one of the largest indoor amusement parks in the world. The mall is divided into themed sections that represent iconic places from around the world such as Europa Boulevard and Bourbon Street.

Banff has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are tons of downtown shops that sell local items, art, sports gear, or clothing.

Is Banff or Edmonton Better for Families?

Banff is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Edmonton is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Banff is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Edmonton is a family-friendly town. Many families live in town so if you're visiting for a few days you'll find plenty to do with kids. Most of the activities are concentrated in the downtown areas and along the south side of the North Saskatchewan River. The whole family will enjoy a visit to Telus World of Science. There's also the Edmonton Valley Zoo, the Alberta Aviation Museum, and Galaxyland, as well as many other activities.

Is Banff or Edmonton Better for Couples?

Banff is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Edmonton is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Banff 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.

Edmonton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a good theater scene, so you can enjoy dinner and a show. There are also quaint cafes, mellow breweries, and plenty of cultural activities like art museums.

Is Banff or Edmonton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Banff is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Edmonton is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Banff. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

Edmonton is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers overlook this city, but there is a hostel in town where you can stay.

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

Both Banff and Edmonton offer nice 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.

Edmonton has some public transit options. The city has both bus and light rail systems.

Is Banff or Edmonton a more walkable city?

Banff is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Edmonton is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Edmonton is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of the city that are very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Edmonton or Banff?

How long in Banff or Edmonton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Banff or Edmonton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Banff than Edmonton 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 Edmonton.

Families should spend more time in Banff than Edmonton. 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 Edmonton. 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 Edmonton 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 Edmonton?

Banff is a small town where visitors enjoy the nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Edmonton, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this friendly 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 Edmonton?

Banff is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Banff, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edmonton. 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 Edmonton?

Banff is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Banff, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A week in Banff or Edmonton?

Banff is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the friendly destination of Edmonton. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Canada, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Banff and Edmonton, we can see that Edmonton 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 Edmonton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edmonton 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 Edmonton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Banff or Edmonton?

Edmonton has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Banff and Edmonton, 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.