A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Detroit vs. Banff for Couples, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Detroit or Banff?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Detroit or Banff, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Detroit

Detroit is a hardworking, overlooked , and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums. See Detroit travel costs.

Banff

Banff is a outdoorsy, sporty, and adventurous town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. The beauty of Banff is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, skiing, and nightlife. See Banff travel costs.

Detroit and Banff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Detroit or Banff?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Detroit than Banff, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Detroit is better known for its museums and attractions, music, and big city activities, while Banff is more popular for its skiing, food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Banff is more touristy than Detroit and is popular for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes. Detroit is well known for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. Also, Detroit is famous for the Henry Ford Experience.

How is Detroit different from Banff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Detroit or Banff Better for Skiing?

Banff is an unbeatable place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Detroit 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.

Detroit is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Detroit offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Banff is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Banff has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 many up and coming restaurants in the Detroit area. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

Is Detroit or Banff Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Detroit and Banff.

Detroit has a large number of nightlife venues. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

Banff is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Detroit or Banff Better for Music?

Detroit is an unbeatable place for its live music scene. However, Banff is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Detroit Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Banff is not a live music destination.

Is Detroit or Banff Better for Hiking?

Banff is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Detroit is not a hiking destination.

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.

Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Detroit or Banff?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Detroit and Banff.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Detroit. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Many visitors go to Banff to go shopping. There are tons of downtown shops that sell local items, art, sports gear, or clothing.

Is Detroit or Banff More Beautiful?

Banff is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Detroit is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Banff is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The dramatic Rocky Mountains and stunning natural beauty make this an iconic and beautiful destination.

Detroit is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Detroit or Banff Better for Families?

Banff is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Banff is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Detroit. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

Is Detroit or Banff Better for Couples?

Banff is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.

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.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Is Detroit or Banff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Banff is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Banff. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

Detroit is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but this is still an often overlooked city.

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

Banff is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Banff has some public transit options. There's a bus system, Roam, that connects the towns of Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise.

Public transit is generally limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Is Detroit or Banff a more walkable city?

Banff is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Detroit is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Banff or Detroit?

How long in Detroit or Banff?

In either Detroit or Banff, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Banff than Detroit because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Detroit, and 2-5 days is enough time in Banff.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Banff than Detroit 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 Detroit or Banff?

In Detroit, many people enjoy the live music and food that this under-rated destination offers. Lots of people come for the live music. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Banff is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Detroit or Banff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Detroit. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

Banff might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Banff has to offer.

Five days in Detroit or Banff?

Detroit is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Detroit. Lots of people come for the live music. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Banff is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Banff has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Detroit or Banff?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the overlooked destination of Detroit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the live music. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Banff. Since Banff is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Detroit and Banff, we can see that Detroit 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 Detroit would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Detroit 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 Detroit Expensive? and Is Banff Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Detroit or Banff?

Detroit has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Detroit 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.