Which place is cheaper, Banff or Eureka Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Eureka Springs or Banff?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Eureka Springs 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.
Where Should I go: Eureka Springs or Banff?
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs is a resort town in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. It offers a variety of dining and shopping such as local crafts and art galleries. Nearby is Beaver Lake. Most of the town is a Victorian village, it has a European look and feel with Victorian cottages and homes spilling over steep winding streets.
The entire city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is because most of the town contains old history buildings which were constructed as a result of the town's unique history. The town was founded and grew very quickly. On July 4, 1879, the town was founded, and by the end of that year reached a population of 10,000. The reason for the town's growth was the area's numerous cold water springs which at the time were thought to have medicinal healing properties. However, this claim was fairly short lived, and when the tourism boom busted, the new town full of Victorian homes was left in the Ozark wilderness without an economy. Then, few new buildings were built. Hundreds of Victorian homes have remained and been preserved ranging from tiny cottages to huge mansions. In the Spring of 2001, Eureka Springs was named one of 12 Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.
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Eureka Springs Prices
USA PricesBanff Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEureka Springs $155Banff $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Eureka Springs is $155, while the average daily cost in Banff is $105. 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 Eureka Springs and Banff in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEureka Springs $100Banff $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEureka Springs $200Banff $76
Compare Hotels in Eureka Springs and Banff
Looking for a hotel in Eureka Springs 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: Eureka Springs Hotel Prices and Banff Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eureka Springs $47Banff $5.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:
- Calgary Airport to Banff - Private Transfer: $851
- All-Inclusive Private Banff Tour with Hotel Transfer: $646
- Banff to Calgary YYC Airport (Private Transfer with Tesla): $290
- Banff Canmore to Calgary YYC Airport Transfer: $218
- Canmore/Banff to Calgary Airport (YYC) Private Transfer: $174
- Larch Valley/Moraine Lake Shuttle Transfer from Banff and Canmore: $118
Is it cheaper to fly into Eureka Springs or Banff?
Prices for flights to both Banff and Eureka Springs 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 dayEureka Springs $32Banff $49
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.
- Bites and Sites of Canmore Walking Food Tour: $78
- Sips & Sweets - Canadian Evening Food Tour: $85
- A Taste of Banff Food Tour: $106
- Winter Tour with Dinner & Nightrise at Banff Gondola: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Eureka Springs -Banff $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$5.31
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: $57
- Banff and Yoho Lakes with Takakkaw Falls Group Tour: $147
- Bestseller From Canmore/Moraine Lake Adventure: $81
- Lake Louise Bus Tour Experience: $54
- 2 Day Banff Lake Louise Johnston Canyon Gondola Cave Basin tour: $140
- 2 Hour Banff Horseback Riding Adventure: $158
- 2-Day Private Tour: Banff Lake Louise Columbia Icefield Tour: $1,236
- 25-Minute Helicopter Adventure in Three Sisters Canmore: $250
- Athabasca Falls/Abraham,Sunwapta Falls,Icefield & Peyto Lake Tour: $117
- BANFF EVENING eBIKE WILDLIFE TOUR: $87
- Banff - Lake Louise Moraine Lake and Icefields Parkway Tour: $153
- Banff 2-day: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon tour: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEureka Springs -Banff $9.33
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eureka Springs and Banff, we can see that Eureka Springs 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 Eureka Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eureka Springs 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 Eureka Springs Expensive? and Is Banff Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eureka Springs or Banff?
Banff has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Eureka Springs. When comparing the sizes of Eureka Springs 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.