Which place is cheaper, Niagara Falls or Banff?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Banff or Niagara Falls?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Banff or Niagara Falls? 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 Niagara Falls?
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.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, Ontario sits on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, across the border from Niagara Falls, New York. Together these cities have claimed themselves to be the "Honeymoon Capital of the World" a status that is probably little more than a marketing ploy. That said, Niagara Falls, Ontario, is perhaps a quainter and more natural version of its American counterpart. The town has existed as a tourist destination for hundreds of years, with its main attraction, obviously, being Niagara Falls. Today, millions of visitors come to see the falls every year. It's truly an impressive sight, and there is no shortage of entertainment options while you're in the area.
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 $85Niagara Falls $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Banff is $85, while the average daily cost in Niagara Falls is $123. 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 Niagara Falls in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBanff $39Niagara Falls $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBanff $78Niagara Falls $150
Compare Hotels in Banff and Niagara Falls
Looking for a hotel in Banff or Niagara Falls? 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 Niagara Falls Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Banff $5.23Niagara Falls $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:
- From Banff/Canmore: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Shared Transfer: $73
- Banff to Lake Louise/Moraine Lake sightseeing transfer: $73
- Banff to Calgary Airport | Private Transfer: $277
- Banff to Calgary YYC Airport (Private Transfer with Tesla): $290
- Canmore/Banff to Calgary Airport (YYC) Private Transfer: $290
- Private Banff National Park Tour with Hotel Transfers: $785
- Calgary Airport to Banff - Private Transfer: $850
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Niagara Falls
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Niagara Falls:
- Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) to Buffalo - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- Buffalo to Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) - Departure Private Transfer: $42
- Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) to Buffalo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $84
- Private Arrival Transfer: Buffalo Niagara Airport to Niagara Falls, Ontario: $88
- Private Arrival Transfer from Buffalo Airport (BUF): $96
- Private Transfer: Niagara Int’l Airport (IAG) USA to Niagara Falls, ON: $97
- Shared Airport Transfer: Buffalo Niagara International Airport to Niagara Falls NY: $99
- Niagara Buffalo Airport Arrival: Private Transfer to Niagara Falls Ontario: $102
- Niagara Buffalo Airport Departure: Private Transfer to Buffalo Niagara Airport: $103
- Transfer Buffalo Niagara International Airport BUF to Niagara Falls,Canada: $103
- Transfer from Niagara Falls,Canada to Buffalo Niagara Int Airport (BUF): $103
- Private Departure Transfer to Buffalo Airport (BUF): $104
Is it cheaper to fly into Banff or Niagara Falls?
Prices for flights to both Niagara Falls 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 $29Niagara Falls $28
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Banff
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Banff.
- Banff Food Tour: Eat the Castle: $154
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Niagara Falls
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Niagara Falls.
- The Wing Ride: The Hidden History of Chicken Wings Food Tour: $105
- Walking Food Tour in Niagara Falls: $108
- Guided Night Tour w/ Dinner & Hotel Transfer: $141
- Niagara-on-the-Lake: Sunset Wine Tour with Dinner: $164
- Niagara Falls Evening Lights Tour With Skylon Tower Dinner: $194
- Niagara Wine Tasting and three courses Dinner: $194
- Night Tour w/ 3 Course Dinner & Light Show: $196
- Evening Lights Tour with Skylon Tower Dinner: $196
- Niagara Falls USA Night, Lights & Dinner : $199
- Night on Niagara Walking Tour with Fireworks Cruise + Dinner: $199
- Niagara Falls Canada: Small Group Night Tour w/Boat & Dinner: $218
- Night on Niagara Small Group Tour w/Fireworks Boat Cruise +Dinner: $231
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Banff $12Niagara Falls $20
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:
- Banff self-guided tour App with multi-language audio guide: $2.18
- Banff Townsite: Scenic Highlights and Driving Tour: $5.39
- Tunnel Mountain Trail: Nature Tour with Audio Guide: $5.81
- Tunnel Mountain Trail: a Smartphone Audio Nature Tour : $5.97
- The Sights of a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.18
- Calgary & Lake Louise: Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $6.18
- The Sights of Canmore: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.68
- The Sights of a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.72
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Banff and Calgary: $7.47
- Historic Cave & Basin Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Banff Cave & Hot Springs Self-Guided Walking Tour (Not a Ticket): $9.99
- Listen to a Tour Guide as You Drive & Walk with our Discover the Rockies Package: $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Niagara Falls
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Niagara Falls are as follows:
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Maid of the Mist$38
Tours and Activities in Niagara Falls
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Niagara Falls are as follows:
- Niagara Peninsula Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $6.18
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Niagara Adventure Theater: $11
- Niagara Legends of Adventure Admission Ticket: $11
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Niagara SkyWheel Ticket: $12
- Niagara SkyWheel Admission Ticket: $13
- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site Admission and Guided Tour: $13
- Niagara's Fury 4D Experience Entry Ticket: $14
- Epic Niagara Falls Canada Driving Tour: $15
- Niagara Falls, Canada: White Water Walk Entry Ticket: $16
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Skylon Tower Observation Deck Ticket: $16
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Bird Kingdom Entry Ticket: $18
- Buffalo Bills Football Game Ticket at Highmark Stadium: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBanff $9.43Niagara Falls $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Niagara Falls
Also in Niagara Falls, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Black Glass Wine Tasting: $23
- Wine Tasting and Nigerian Dwarf Goats Experience: $28
- Goat Yoga and Wine Tasting: $50
- Public Niagara Wine Tour with Transportation: $53
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation : $56
- Small Group Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tasting Tour: $96
- Sip, Swirl and Savour Chocolate & Wine Tour : $104
- 3.5 Hours NOTL E-Bike Wine Tour: $111
- Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour: $120
- Niagara Craft Brewery Tour Niagara Falls: $123
- Luxury Winery, Distillery & Craft Beer Tour in Niagara Region : $123
- Relaxing Afternoon Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $127
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Banff and Niagara Falls, we can see that Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Banff or Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Banff and Niagara Falls, 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.