A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Banff vs. Vernon for Hiking, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Banff or Vernon?

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

Should I visit Banff or Vernon? 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. With stunning beauty, Banff attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, skiing, and nightlife. See Banff travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a relaxing, quiet, and peaceful town. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping. See Vernon travel costs.

Banff and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Banff or Vernon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Banff. Although Banff and Vernon are both popular with visitors, Banff has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Banff is more popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Vernon is known for its museums and attractions. Banff is more touristy than Vernon and is known for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes. It is also home to Lake Louise. Vernon is popular for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails.

How is Banff different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Banff or Vernon Better for Skiing?

Banff is terrific for snow skiing. However, Vernon is not a skiing destination.

The snow ski experience you'll have in Banff is among the best in 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.

Vernon is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Vernon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Dining out in Banff is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Banff or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Banff is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Banff or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Banff is terrific for the nearby hiking options. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Known for its hiking, Banff draws a crowd to experience the nature and the 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.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Vernon. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in Banff or Vernon?

Both Banff and Vernon are good shopping destinations.

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

Vernon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Banff or Vernon More Beautiful?

Banff is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Banff attracts visitors from all around. The dramatic Rocky Mountains and stunning natural beauty make this an iconic and beautiful destination.

Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Banff or Vernon Better for Families?

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

Banff is known to be 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.

Vernon is a family-friendly town. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Banff or Vernon Better for Couples?

Banff is terrific for couples. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Banff has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

Is Banff or Vernon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Banff is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

Vernon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel in town, but this isn't a popular destination for backpackers.

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

Banff is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Vernon is not a good town 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 Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Banff or Vernon a more walkable city?

Banff is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town for its walkability.

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

Vernon is generally not a very walkable town. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

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

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Banff?

How long in Banff or Vernon?

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

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

Banff might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Vernon, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this peaceful destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This town 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 Vernon?

Banff is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Vernon. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Banff. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vernon is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Vernon. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Banff or Vernon?

Banff is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the quiet destination of Vernon. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Vernon, we can see that Banff is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon 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 Banff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Banff than you might in Vernon.

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

Which is Bigger, Banff or Vernon?

Vernon has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Banff and Vernon, 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.