Which place is cheaper, Banff or Monterey?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Monterey 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 Monterey 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: Monterey or Banff?
Monterey
When it comes to California, Monterey may not be mentioned half as much as you hear about Los Angeles or San Francisco, but it is a beautiful city to visit, with a diverse expanse of exciting and relaxing things to do, whether you're looking for adventure, a quiet getaway, or romance.
Located on California's central coast, the city of Monterey was the first State Capital of California. It was also home to many artists, athletes, and musicians, such as John Steinbeck, Clint Eastwood, and Ron Johnson.
Monterey has mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Cold season runs from December to April and warm season, from July until October. The peak travel seasons are during summer, from July to September. If you want to avoid crowds, the months of April and October are ideal times to visit for fewer crowds and comfortable weather.
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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMonterey $170Banff $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Monterey is $170, 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 Monterey and Banff in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMonterey $90Banff $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMonterey $180Banff $76
Compare Hotels in Monterey and Banff
Looking for a hotel in Monterey 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: Monterey Hotel Prices and Banff Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Monterey $32Banff $5.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:
- Private Transfer - Between YYC Calgary Airport and Banff: $234
- Private Airport Transfer to Banff: $289
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Calgary: $365
- From 1-Way Private Transfer to Calgary Airport (YYC): $511
- Private Banff National Park Tour with Hotel Transfers: $876
Is it cheaper to fly into Monterey or Banff?
Prices for flights to both Banff and Monterey 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 dayMonterey $56Banff $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Monterey
For Monterey, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guided Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $150
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.
- Banff Food Tour: Eat the Castle: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Monterey $27Banff $12
Tours and Activities in Monterey
For Monterey, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- San Fran Pacific Coast Self-Driving Tour App: $7.30
- Self-Guided John Steinbeck Walking Tour with Audio: $7.99
- Monterey Peninsula Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Scenic 17-Mile Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- California: Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle: $40
- Monterey Fisherman's Wharf & Presidio Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $49
- Monterey Cannery Row: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $49
- Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour: $60
- Catamaran Sailing Cruise: $65
- Cannery Row Kayak Tour: $65
- Whale Watching Cruise: $70
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: $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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMonterey $21Banff $9.34
Sample the Local Flavors in Monterey
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Monterey:
- Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tour: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Monterey and Banff, we can see that Monterey 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 Monterey would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Monterey 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 Monterey Expensive? and Is Banff Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Monterey or Banff?
Monterey has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Monterey 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.