A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. Banff for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Banff?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Banff 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.

Where Should I go: Buenos Aires, Argentina or Banff?

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Banff or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
    Argentina Prices
    Banff Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $56
    Banff $103

The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $56, while the average daily cost in Banff is $103. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina and Banff in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $40
    Banff $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $80
    Banff $76
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Banff

Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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.

Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina


Hotels in Banff


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.09
    Banff $5.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:

  • Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $19
  • Buenos Aires: EZE Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $27
  • Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Cruise Port to Ezeiza: $28
  • Tango Show in Catullo Without Transfer: $28
  • Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
  • Local Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
  • Buenos Aires Local Airport One - way Private Transfer from 30 USD: $30
  • Buenos Aires Airport (EZE) Transfer with English Speaking Driver: $34
  • Private Ezeiza (EZE) Airport Transfer to Buenos Aires City: $35
  • Private Transfer from Buenos Aires to Buenos Aires Cruise Port: $35
  • Private Airport Transfer In or Out: Aeroparque (AEP)–Buenos Aires: $37
  • Transfer from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery to your Hotel in Buenos Aires: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banff

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:

  • All-Inclusive Private Banff Tour with Hotel Transfer: $338
  • Banff Resorts to Calgary Airport (YYC) Departure Private Transfer: $211
  • Banff to Calgary Exclusive Private Transfer: $241
  • Banff/Canmore to Calgary YYC Airport Private Transfer: $249
  • Calgary Airport to Banff - Private Transfer: $823
  • Calgary to Lake Louise (Private Transfer): $161
  • Canmore/Banff to Calgary Airport (YYC) Private Transfer: $158
  • Private Airport Transfer YYC to Banff Canmore or Lake Louise: $219
  • Private Transfer from Banff to Calgary or Calgary Airport: $88

Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Banff?

Prices for flights to both Banff and Buenos Aires, Argentina 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $7.55
    Banff $48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  • Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $35
  • Tango Show at Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $37
  • Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $38
  • Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $39
  • BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $39
  • Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $42
  • BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
  • Buenos Aires Family Empanada Cooking Class Kids Take the Lead: $44
  • Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
  • Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
  • Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
  • El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $47

Typical Food Prices in Banff

Some typical examples of dining costs in Banff are as follows:


  • Tea House Lunch for Two
    $32
  • Hostel Breakfast
    $26
  • McDonalds
    $4.55

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Banff

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Banff.

  • Banff's Sips & Sweets Evening Food Tour: $84
  • Taste of Banff Food Tour: $106
  • The Banff Food Tour and So Much More: $109
  • Explore Canmore Food Tour and More: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $30
    Banff $12

Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $6.72
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina: $6.72
  • Buenos Aires Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h30 and 18 reviews: $6.87
  • Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Discover Buenos Aires: A Self-Guided Tour: $8.21
  • The Women Behind Puerto Madero’s Streets: A Self Guided Tour: $9.99
  • Small Group Buenos Aires Walking Tour: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $11
  • Private Tour of San Telmo, Old Town: $12
  • Guided tour of the Mate Museum: $13
  • 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market: $13
  • Graffiti Tour: $14

Typical Entertainment Prices in Banff

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Banff are as follows:


  • Hot Springs
    $5.22

Tours and Activities in Banff

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Banff are as follows:

  • Town of Banff Highlights 2 Hour Walking Tour Gratuity-Based: $5.00
  • City Highlights Walking Tour 2-Hour: $5.00
  • Tunnel Mountain Trail: a Smartphone Audio Nature Tour: $8.02
  • The Sights of a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.02
  • Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Banff and Calgary: $8.02
  • The Sights of Canmore: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.06
  • Banff Basin and Town Self-Guided Walking Tour (No Ticket): $9.99
  • Buffalo Nations Museum in Banff - Admission Ticket: $11
  • Lake Louise and Yoho National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
  • Banff Townsite Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $17
  • Banff Shuttle to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise | 6 Hours Tour: $28
  • Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary Walk Ticket in Canada: $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $9.22
    Banff $9.17

Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Argentine Wine Tasting in Caminito with Appetizers Included: $45
  • BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
  • Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
  • Wine Tasting and Local Specialties in Buenos Aires: $58
  • Argentine Wine Tasting with Lunch or Charcuterie Pairings: $59
  • Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $60
  • Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
  • Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $69
  • Empanadas & Argentine wine tour: $74
  • BA: Wine tour with 5 tasting stops in the heart of Palermo: $78
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
  • Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires Private Experience: $92

Sample the Local Flavors in Banff

Also in Banff, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Park Distillery Tour with Craft Spirits Tasting: $11
  • Park Distillery Tour with Whisky Tasting: $18
  • Calgary to Banff Brewery Tour & Lunch: $140


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Banff, we can see that Banff is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Buenos Aires, Argentina is in South America and Banff is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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


Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Banff?

Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 1740 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina 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.