Which place is cheaper, Winnipeg or Banff?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Banff or Winnipeg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Banff or Winnipeg? 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 Winnipeg?
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.
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital of the Canadian province of Manitoba. Its heart is The Forks, a historic site at the intersection of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, with warehouses converted to shops and restaurants, plus ample green space dedicated to festivals, concerts and exhibits. Nearby, the Exchange District is known for its well-preserved, early 20th-century architecture and numerous art galleries. Rising above the prairie, Winnipeg is a metropolis where you least expect it. Cultured, confident and captivating, it’s more than just a pit stop on the Trans-Canada haul, but a destination in its own right, with a couple of world-class museums and a wonderfully diverse dining scene.
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 $84Winnipeg $251
The average daily cost (per person) in Banff is $84, while the average daily cost in Winnipeg is $251. 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 Winnipeg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBanff $38Winnipeg $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBanff $76Winnipeg $184
Compare Hotels in Banff and Winnipeg
Looking for a hotel in Banff or Winnipeg? 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 Winnipeg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Banff $5.18Winnipeg -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:
- Private Banff National Park Tour with Hotel Transfers: $876
- From 1-Way Private Transfer to Calgary Airport (YYC): $511
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Calgary: $365
- Private Airport Transfer to Banff: $289
- Private Transfer - Between YYC Calgary Airport and Banff: $234
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Winnipeg
Also for Winnipeg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Winnipeg Airport to Winnipeg Accommodation : $37
- Private Transfer from Winnipeg Airport (YWG) to Winnipeg Hotels: $61
- Private Transfer from Winnipeg Hotels to Winnipeg Airport: $61
- Winnipeg accomodation to Winnipeg Airport (YWG) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Winnipeg Airport (YWG) to Winnipeg accomodation - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
- Winnipeg Airport (YWG) to Winnipeg accomodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $122
- Arrivals Private Transfer from Richardson Airport: $141
- Winnipeg One way Private transfer from/to the Airport: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Banff or Winnipeg?
Prices for flights to both Winnipeg 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 $29Winnipeg $5.40
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$4.63
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: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Banff $12Winnipeg $2.52
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$5.31
Tours and Activities in Banff
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Banff are as follows:
- Banff National Park Big Canoe Tour: $56
- Skybridge Adventure Golden BC from Canmore & Banff: $165
- 2 Hour Banff Horseback Riding Adventure: $144
- 4 Days Tour to Banff & Jasper National Park with Hotels: $2,595
- 4 Days Tour to Banff & Jasper National Park without Hotels: $1,462
- BANFF EVENING eBIKE WILDLIFE TOUR: $74
- Banff : Day Tour : Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Peyto Lake: $186
- Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Adventure: $74
- Banff National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
- Banff National Park Tour with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake: $84
- Banff National Park: Big Canoe River Explorer Tour: $53
- Banff National Park: Self-Guided Scenic Driving Tour: $13
Tours and Activities in Winnipeg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Winnipeg.
- Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Ghost Tour: $5.11
- Assiniboine Park Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
- Wealthy Beginnings Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Winnipeg in the Limelight: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- The Forks Self-Guided Smartphone Tour with Audio: $5.11
- Manitoba Legislative Grounds Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- The Forks Historic Site: a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.23
- Manitoba Legislative Grounds: a Smartphone Audio Tour & Trivia Challenge: $5.23
- Winnipeg in the Limelight: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.23
- Discover Assiniboine Park with a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.23
- Winnipeg's Wealthy Beginnings: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.23
- Winnipeg's Most Haunted: a Smartphone Audio Ghost Tour: $5.23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBanff $9.34Winnipeg -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Banff and Winnipeg, we can see that Winnipeg 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 Winnipeg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Winnipeg 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 Winnipeg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Banff or Winnipeg?
Winnipeg has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Banff and Winnipeg, 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.