Which place is cheaper, Banff or Saint Thomas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Banff? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $218, 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 Saint Thomas and Banff in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:
Prices for flights to both Banff and Saint Thomas 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.
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Banff are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Banff.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Banff are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Banff are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and Banff, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Banff much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Banff is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Saint Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas Expensive? and Is Banff Expensive?.
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas 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.