Which place is cheaper, Banff or Big Pine Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Big Pine Key or Banff?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Big Pine Key and Banff. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Big Pine Key or Banff?
Big Pine Key
If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $144Banff $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $144, while the average daily cost in Banff is $86. 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 Big Pine Key and Banff in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Banff $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Banff $78
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Banff
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Banff? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Banff $5.25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:
- Sunshine Village to Calgary Airport (YYC): Departure Transfer: $62
- Canmore/Banff to Calgary Airport (YYC) Private Transfer: $294
- Calgary Airport to Banff - Private Transfer: $861
- Private Banff National Park Tour with Hotel Transfers: $883
- Banff to Calgary YYC Airport (Private Transfer with Tesla): $294
- Banff Thermal Resorts to Calgary Airport (YYC) Departure Transfer: $143
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Banff?
Prices for flights to both Banff and Big Pine Key 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 dayBig Pine Key $42Banff $29
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$4.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Banff
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Banff.
- Take a Bite of Banff ~ Rocky Mountain Banff Food Tour: $95
- Sunset and Dinner at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise from Banff: $207
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Banff $12
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$5.39
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: $57
- 1 Day tour of Banff Lake Louise Moraine Lake and Banff Town: $82
- 1 Day tour of Banff Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Emerald Lake : $75
- 1 Day tour of Canmore Lake Louise Moraine Lake and Banff Town: $82
- 2 Hour Banff Horseback Riding Adventure: $142
- 4 Days Tour to Banff & Jasper National Park with Hotels: $2,614
- 4 Days Tour to Banff & Jasper National Park without Hotels: $1,473
- Banff : Day Tour : Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Peyto Lake: $188
- Banff Cave & Hot Springs Self-Guided Walking Tour (Not a Ticket): $9.99
- Banff Evening Ebike Wildlife Tour: $83
- Banff Gondola, Hot Spring,Lake Minnewanka& Johnson lake tour: $71
- Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Adventure: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Banff $9.47
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Banff, we can see that Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Banff Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Banff?
Banff has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Banff, 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.