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

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Banff?

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

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

Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios, or "Ochi" is a town located on the northeastern shore of Jamaica and is a popular hub for cruise ships. It is a great destination for tourists as it has many resorts and beautiful beaches.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Banff or Ocho Rios?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $77, 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 Ocho Rios and Banff in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $52
    Banff $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $104
    Banff $76
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Banff

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios 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 Ocho Rios


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: Ocho Rios Hotel Prices and Banff Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.60
    Banff $5.18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios

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

  • Ian Fleming Ocho Rios Airport Private Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotel: $15
  • Ocho Rios or Runaway Bay 2-Hour Shopping Transfer: $15
  • Private Transfer from Ian Fleming Airport to Ocho Rios: $20
  • Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $20
  • Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Runaway Bay: $24
  • AirBnB Roundtrip Shuttle / One Way MBJ Airport Transfers: $25
  • Private Transfer to Konoko Falls Botanical Gardens: $27
  • Relaxing Montego Bay To Ducanon and Juwel Runaway Bay Transfer: $27
  • Airport Transfer Roundtrip Jamaica MBJ: $29
  • Private Airport transfer from Montego Bay To Ocho Rios .: $30
  • Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios and Runnaway Bay Hotels(Private) : $32
  • Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer To Ocho Rios : $33

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
  • From Banff/Canmore: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Shared Transfer: $81

Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Banff?

Prices for flights to both Banff and Ocho Rios 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
    Ocho Rios $17
    Banff $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ocho Rios

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

  • From Flavors of Jamaica Guided Food Tour: $89
  • Taste of Jamaica Farm & Food Tour: $98
  • Private Hillside Cooking Class Jamaican Style with Pickup : $104
  • Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $128
  • Ocho Ros: Hillside Cooking Class, Jamaican Style: $130
  • Taste of Jamaica Food Tour: $140
  • The Jamaica School of Cooking and Ocho Rios Highlights Tour: $141
  • Ocho Rios Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner: $218

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: $154

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    Banff $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ocho Rios

For Ocho Rios, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Tour of Brimmer Hall Estate
    $11
  • Admission to Coyaba Gardens
    $5.47
  • Tour of Prospect Plantation
    $18

Tours and Activities in Ocho Rios

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

  • Blue Hole Admission Fee Ticket: $25
  • Private Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios : $30
  • Private Blue Hole and Shopping Tour from Ocho Rios: $30
  • Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios with Pickup: $40
  • Private Guided Tour To Yaaman Adventures Safari jungle park: $40
  • Ocho Rios Sightseeing and Taxi from Runaway Bay & Ocho Rios: $40
  • Private Blue hole Tour from Ocho Rios : $40
  • Blue Hole And Konoko Falls Combo Tour From Ocho Rios & Runaway Bay!: $43
  • Private Konoko Falls and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios : $45
  • Half-Day Blue Hole and Secret Falls Tour from Runaway Bay: $46
  • Blue Hole Tour from Ocho Rios: $49
  • Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios: $50

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: $57
  • Skybridge Adventure Golden BC from Canmore & Banff: $165
  • 2 Hour Banff Horseback Riding Adventure: $145
  • 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 Snowshoeing Adventure | Small Group Guided Tour: $77
  • Banff National Park Tour with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake: $84
  • Banff National Park: Big Canoe River Explorer Tour: $53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.71
    Banff $9.34


When comparing the travel costs between Ocho Rios and Banff, we can see that Banff is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands and Banff is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Banff?

Ocho Rios has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios 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.