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

Should you visit Banff or Saskatoon?

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

Should I visit Banff or Saskatoon? 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. The beauty of Banff is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Banff travel costs.

Saskatoon

Saskatoon is a friendly, authentic, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Saskatoon travel costs.

Banff and Saskatoon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Banff or Saskatoon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Banff than Saskatoon, 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 Saskatoon is more popular for its museums and attractions. Banff is more touristy than Saskatoon and is known for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes. Also, Banff is famous for Lake Louise. Saskatoon is well known for its agriculture and outdoor spaces.

How is Banff different from Saskatoon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Banff or Saskatoon Better for Skiing?

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

Banff is a top destination for snow skiing, and it attracts visitors from around the world. 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.

Saskatoon is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Saskatoon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some museums and historical sites to check out such as Fort Battleford National Historic Site, Batoche National Historic Site, and the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Banff is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Saskatoon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Saskatoon is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There's a great food scene around town with diverse restaurants and cuisines to choose from. You can sample dim sum, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, and many more.

Is Banff or Saskatoon Better for Nightlife?

Banff is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Saskatoon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

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 Saskatoon. There are enough clubs and bars around town to keep things entertaining. Most cater to a younger crowd, but the vibe is fun and full of energy.

Is Banff or Saskatoon Better for Hiking?

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

Banff is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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.

Saskatoon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Banff or Saskatoon?

Both Banff and Saskatoon 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.

Saskatoon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. A number of brands have opened stores in the downtown area in recent years, so the shopping scene continues to grow and diversify.

Is Banff or Saskatoon More Beautiful?

Banff is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Saskatoon 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.

Saskatoon is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Banff or Saskatoon Better for Families?

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

Saskatoon is a family-friendly town. It's filled with indoor and outdoor play areas. Make sure you check out the Nutrien Wonderhub as well as the countless playgrounds around town.

Is Banff or Saskatoon Better for Couples?

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

Banff is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Saskatoon is a good town for couples to visit. There are plenty of evening activities like dining out at a nice restaurant or taking in a show at the Persephone Theatre.

Is Banff or Saskatoon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Banff is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Saskatoon is not a good city 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.

Saskatoon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers skip this town in favor of more popular destinations.

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

Banff is a good destination for its public transit. However, Saskatoon is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Saskatoon. There is a bus system around town.

Is Banff or Saskatoon a more walkable city?

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

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

Saskatoon is a somewhat walkable town. The downtown is walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Saskatoon or Banff?

How long in Banff or Saskatoon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Banff and Saskatoon. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Banff than in Saskatoon. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Banff, and 1-3 days is enough time in Saskatoon.

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

Even though Banff is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Saskatoon, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural 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 Saskatoon?

Banff is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and skiing. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

Banff is a small town with plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

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

A week in Banff or Saskatoon?

Banff is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find food and shopping around the authentic destination of Saskatoon. 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 Saskatoon, we can see that Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Banff or Saskatoon?

Saskatoon has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Banff and Saskatoon, 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.