Which place is cheaper, Moncton or Banff?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Banff or Moncton?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Banff or Moncton? 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.
Where Should I go: Banff or Moncton?
Banff
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.
Moncton
Moncton is the largest city in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. Located in the Petitcodiac River Valley with access to the Bay of Fundy, and, by extension, the Atlantic Ocean, Moncton is also at the geographic center of Canada's Maritime Provinces. Today, the city's most famous attraction is Magnetic Hill, though there are also plenty of parks, museums, galleries, theatres, and other venues for entertainment.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBanff $85Moncton $108
The average daily cost (per person) in Banff is $85, while the average daily cost in Moncton is $108. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Banff and Moncton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBanff $39Moncton $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBanff $78Moncton $60
Compare Hotels in Banff and Moncton
Looking for a hotel in Banff or Moncton? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Banff Hotel Prices and Moncton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Banff $5.23Moncton -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:
- Calgary Airport to Banff - Private Transfer: $850
- Private Banff National Park Tour with Hotel Transfers: $785
- Banff to Calgary YYC Airport (Private Transfer with Tesla): $290
- Canmore/Banff to Calgary Airport (YYC) Private Transfer: $290
- Banff to Lake Louise/Moraine Lake sightseeing transfer: $81
- From Banff/Canmore: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Shared Transfer: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Banff or Moncton?
Prices for flights to both Moncton and Banff change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBanff $29Moncton $57
Typical Food Prices in Banff
Some typical examples of dining costs in Banff are as follows:
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Tea House Lunch for Two$33
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Hostel Breakfast$27
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McDonalds$4.68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Banff $12Moncton $79
Typical Entertainment Prices in Banff
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Banff are as follows:
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Hot Springs$5.36
Tours and Activities in Banff
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Banff are as follows:
- 1 Day Tour of Banff Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Peyto Lake: $73
- Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour: $62
- Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk & Peyto Lake: $266
- Skybridge Adventure Golden BC from Canmore & Banff: $247
- 2 Hour Banff Horseback Riding Adventure: $144
- 4 Days Tour to Banff & Jasper National Park with Hotels: $2,583
- 4 Days Tour to Banff & Jasper National Park without Hotels: $1,455
- Banff : Day Tour : Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Peyto Lake: $186
- Banff Cave & Hot Springs Self-Guided Walking Tour (Not a Ticket): $9.99
- Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Adventure: $81
- Banff Highlights Tour : Gondola, Fairmont & Johnston Canyon: $77
- Banff Mountain Lakeside - E-bike Tour: $128
Tours and Activities in Moncton
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Moncton.
- Moncton, NB: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $11
- Moncton Self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBanff $9.43Moncton $4.58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Banff and Moncton, we can see that Moncton 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 Moncton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moncton 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 Moncton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Banff or Moncton?
Moncton has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Banff and Moncton, 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.
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.