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

Should you visit Guadalajara or Banff?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guadalajara 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: Guadalajara or Banff?

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.

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 Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Banff or Guadalajara?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Guadalajara is $117, while the average daily cost in Banff is $84. 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 Guadalajara and Banff in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guadalajara $42
    Banff $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guadalajara $84
    Banff $76
Compare Hotels in Guadalajara and Banff

Looking for a hotel in Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara


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: Guadalajara Hotel Prices and Banff Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guadalajara $39
    Banff $5.18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara

Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared Departure Transfer: Hotels to Guadalajara Airport: $26
  • Tequila to Guadalajara Airport (GDL): Departure Private Transfer: $38
  • Guadalajara hotels to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
  • Private transfer: Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara: $73
  • Private Transfer from Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Manzanillo Port: $77
  • Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Tequila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
  • Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $98
  • Tequila to Guadalajara - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $98
  • Airport to City Transfer: $151
  • Guadalajara Airport (GDL): Transfer to Guadalajara hotels: $174
  • Airport-Chapala/Ajijic Transfer: $229
  • Private transfer from Guadalajara to Sayulita: $241

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banff

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:

  • Private Banff National Park Tour with Hotel Transfers: $876
  • From 1-Way Private Transfer to Calgary Airport (YYC): $511
  • From Private One-Way Transfer to Calgary: $365
  • Private Airport Transfer to Banff: $289
  • Private Transfer - Between YYC Calgary Airport and Banff: $234

Is it cheaper to fly into Guadalajara or Banff?

Prices for flights to both Banff and Guadalajara 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
    Guadalajara $48
    Banff $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guadalajara

For Guadalajara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Guadalajara private food tour: $68
  • Mexican Cooking Classes and Market Visit in Guadalajara: $151

Typical Food Prices in Banff

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


  • Tea House Lunch for Two
    $33
  • Hostel Breakfast
    $27
  • McDonalds
    $4.63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Banff

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

  • Banff Food Tour: Eat the Castle: $153

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guadalajara $28
    Banff $12

Tours and Activities in Guadalajara

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.

  • Guadalajara Unique Highlights Walking Tour: $10
  • Guadalajara Unique Highlights Walking Tour: $10
  • KidZania Entrance Ticket: $12
  • 10-Day Audio Guide Tour of Guadalajara: $15
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Guadalajara in French: $15
  • Guadalajara City Tour: $20
  • Great Experience With A Tour Guide With Spark: $21
  • ticket to Michin Aquarium: $28
  • Private Guadalajara City Tour Within Your Budget: $31
  • Culture, Architecture, and Market Walking Tour: $32
  • Private Tour with a Local Guide in Guadalajara: $34
  • Guadalajara Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35

Typical Entertainment Prices in Banff

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


  • 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: $56
  • Skybridge Adventure Golden BC from Canmore & Banff: $165
  • 2 Hour Banff Horseback Riding Adventure: $144
  • 4 Days Tour to Banff & Jasper National Park with Hotels: $2,595
  • 4 Days Tour to Banff & Jasper National Park without Hotels: $1,462
  • BANFF EVENING eBIKE WILDLIFE TOUR: $74
  • Banff : Day Tour : Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Peyto Lake: $186
  • Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Adventure: $74
  • Banff National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
  • Banff National Park Tour with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake: $84
  • Banff National Park: Big Canoe River Explorer Tour: $53
  • Banff National Park: Self-Guided Scenic Driving Tour: $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guadalajara $18
    Banff $9.34

Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:

  • Guadalajara Arquitecture and Brewery Tour: $56
  • Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $77
  • full day Tequila tour visiting artisanal distillery and downtown.: $85
  • Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $175
  • Sip & Savor Tequila Experience Distillery w/ Lunch fr Guadalajara: $180
  • Private Tour La Fortaleza Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
  • Private Tour to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
  • Private Tour to Distillery Tequila Ocho and Arandas : $200
  • Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $212
  • Private Tour to Tequila Ocho Distillery and the Town of Arandas: $212


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


Which is Bigger, Guadalajara or Banff?

Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Guadalajara 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.