A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Bangor vs. Big Sur for Couples, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bangor or Big Sur?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangor and Big Sur can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bangor

Bangor is a friendly, laid back, and welcoming town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Big Sur

Big Sur is a remote, breathtaking, and scenic natural area. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include hiking, food, and beaches.

Bangor and Big Sur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bangor or Big Sur?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Big Sur. Although Bangor and Big Sur are popular destinations, Big Sur has more sights and attractions for tourists. Big Sur is very popular for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bangor attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and small town charm. Big Sur is more touristy than Bangor and is popular for its beautiful state parks, dramatic coastal cliffs, and world class views. It is also well known for Bixby Bridge. Bangor is famous for its history as a lumber town.

How is Bangor different from Big Sur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bangor or Big Sur?

Bangor is very good for its historical sights. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bangor. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

Big Sur offers a few options for museum-goers. Nature is what brings visitors to the area, so most people don't prioritize museums or manmade landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bangor or Big Sur? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Bangor and Big Sur can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Bangor area. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Big Sur. Most of the restaurants offer a breathtaking view. Many use locally-sourced ingredients and they range in style from fine dining to casual eateries.

Is Bangor or Big Sur Better for Nightlife?

Bangor is adequate for its evening party scene. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for nightlife.

Bangor doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

People don't go to Big Sur for the nightlife. There's a taphouse and lounge, but the area is mostly undeveloped with no real nightlife.

Is Bangor or Big Sur Better for Beaches?

Big Sur is a well-known place for the beach. However, Bangor is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Big Sur attract visitors from all over. The coastline and beaches are dramatic and beautiful, particularly Pfeiffer Beach, which has a dramatic waterfall. The water is filled with rip tides and strong currents, so swimming isn't advisable in most places.

Bangor is not a beach destination.

Is Bangor or Big Sur Better for Hiking?

Big Sur is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Big Sur is a popular spot for hiking. The dramatic hikes take you along the coastline, to beautiful beaches and through Redwood forests. There are a number of state parks along the route and some of the best hikes include Salmon Creek Trail, Pacific Valley Bluff Trail, and Ragged Point Cliffside Trail.

Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bangor or Big Sur?

Bangor is very good for its shopping areas. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for shopping.

Bangor has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Big Sur has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some galleries and gift shops, but most visitors aren't in the area to go shopping.

Is Bangor or Big Sur Better for Families?

Both Bangor and Big Sur are nice to visit with kids.

Bangor is a family-friendly place to visit. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.

Big Sur is a family-friendly town. Kids will enjoy the hiking and beaches, particularly the Carmel Lagoon at Carmel River State Beach. There are a number of state parks where kids can run around and stretch their legs.

Is Bangor or Big Sur Better for Couples?

Big Sur is an amazing natural area to visit for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Big Sur is a great natural area for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Stunning viewpoints and breathtaking coastline make this a wonderful destination for couples. There are romantic inns and impressive hikes along the water's edge or through the dramatic Redwoods.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

Is Bangor or Big Sur Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Big Sur is a natural area with good options for backpackers. However, Bangor is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Big Sur is a good natural area to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but budget travelers often prefer vacation rentals, which are more common.

Bangor is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Budget accommodation is available, but most backpackers don't think the visit here.

Is Bangor or Big Sur Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bangor is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Big Sur. There is no real public transportation in the area.

Is Bangor or Big Sur a more walkable city?

Bangor is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its walkability.

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

Big Sur is not a walkable town. While there are hiking trails, Big Sur is a stretch of road that runs along the coast and requires a car to fully access.

For even more information, also check out Is Bangor Worth Visiting? and Is Big Sur Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Big Sur or Bangor?

How long in Bangor or Big Sur?

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

Families should spend more time in Bangor than Big Sur. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bangor, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Big Sur than Bangor. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Big Sur that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Big Sur than Bangor 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 Big Sur.

One day in Bangor or Big Sur?

In Bangor, you'll find museums and food. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Big Sur. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bangor or Big Sur?

In Bangor, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bangor has to offer.

Big Sur 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.

Five days in Bangor or Big Sur?

Bangor is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Big Sur. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bangor or Big Sur?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bangor. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Bangor. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the scenic destination of Big Sur. This natural area 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangor and Big Sur, we can see that Bangor is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Bangor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangor than you might in Big Sur.

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

When is the best time to visit Bangor or Big Sur?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bangor or Big Sur in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bangor as well as Big Sur. Many visitors come to Bangor in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bangor is a little warmer than Big Sur in the summer. The daily temperature in Bangor averages around 69°F (21°C) in July, and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Bangor usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bangor or Big Sur in the Autumn?

Both Big Sur and Bangor are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bangor for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bangor is much colder than Big Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bangor in October average around 48°F (9°C), and Big Sur averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Bangor usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Bangor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bangor or Big Sur in the Winter?

Both Big Sur and Bangor during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Bangor because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the cuisine are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.

The weather in Bangor can be very cold. In January, Bangor is generally much colder than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Bangor average around 18°F (-8°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Bangor usually gets more rain in January than Big Sur. Bangor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bangor or Big Sur in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangor and Big Sur. The small town charm are the main draw to Bangor this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Bangor is much colder than Big Sur in the spring. The daily temperature in Bangor averages around 43°F (6°C) in April, and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Bangor usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Big Sur and Bangor