A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alexandria vs. Banff for Couples, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Alexandria 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 Alexandria 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.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a historic, charming, and quaint city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. The beauty of Alexandria is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Alexandria travel costs.

Banff

Banff is a adventurous, scenic, and outdoorsy town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, Banff attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Banff travel costs.

Alexandria and Banff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alexandria or Banff?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Banff. Although Alexandria and Banff are both popular with visitors, Banff has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Banff is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, hiking, and small town charm, while Alexandria is known for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and shopping. Alexandria is popular for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. Banff is popular for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes. It is also home to Lake Louise.

How is Alexandria different from Banff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Banff and Alexandria. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Alexandria or Banff Better for Skiing?

Banff is an unbeatable place for skiing. However, Alexandria is not a skiing destination.

Banff is a top destination for snow skiing, and it attracts visitors from around the world. The town makes a great base for experiencing the three nearby ski resorts: Banff Sunshine, The Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt Norquay. You can purchase a SkiBig3 Lift Ticket and experience the area's best skiing. There's a long ski season and a stunning setting within the Canadian Rockies.

Alexandria is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alexandria or Banff?

Alexandria is notable for its sights and museums. However, Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Alexandria offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Alexandria or Banff? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Alexandria and Banff can be an enjoyable experience.

Alexandria has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Banff makes for a great culinary experience. The downtown has bistros, taverns, and many casual eateries. For a more fine dining experience, you can go to one of the luxury hotels, which have nice dining areas. Throughout town you'll find classic Canadian food like poutine, as well as pizza and bar food.

Is Alexandria or Banff Better for Nightlife?

Banff is great for its evening party scene. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Banff for the nightlife scene. It's a great town for partying and it's compact and easy to barhop if you want. For the town's size, you'll find a huge number of bars and breweries to choose from, and there's always something going on.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Is Alexandria or Banff Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is an unbeatable place for its old town. However, Banff does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Alexandria offers plenty to see. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Banff does not have a historic old town.

Is Alexandria or Banff Better for Hiking?

Banff is an unbeatable place for hiking. However, Alexandria is not a hiking destination.

Banff is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The town is set within Banff National Park, and is surrounded by world class hiking. There are more than 1,000 miles of trails that wander alongside rivers, lead to waterfalls, or climb mountain peaks. You may also see local wildlife.

Alexandria is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Alexandria or Banff?

Alexandria is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Alexandria is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Banff has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are tons of downtown shops that sell local items, art, sports gear, or clothing.

Is Alexandria or Banff More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of superb scenery and beauty in both Alexandria and Banff.

With stunning beauty, Alexandria attracts visitors from all around. The historic architecture and beautiful waterfront make this an iconic destination.

Banff is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The dramatic Rocky Mountains and stunning natural beauty make this an iconic and beautiful destination.

Is Alexandria or Banff Better for Families?

Banff is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Banff. Kids will enjoy the low key hikes like Tunnel Mountain hike. There's also the Banff Gondola and several playgrounds in downtown Banff. For adventure activities, check out the Golden Skybridge or Lake Louise.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Alexandria or Banff Better for Couples?

Banff is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Banff is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a beautiful destination for a honeymoon or anniversary trip. There are countless hikes and stunning natural beauty. There are also spas, horseback riding, and many great restaurants.

Alexandria is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Is Alexandria or Banff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Banff is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Banff. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Is Alexandria or Banff Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alexandria is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Alexandria can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

Banff has some public transit options. There's a bus system, Roam, that connects the towns of Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise.

Is Alexandria or Banff a more walkable city?

Alexandria is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Alexandria on foot. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

Banff is a very walkable destination. The downtown is very walkable and there are trailheads nearby as well.

For even more information, also check out Is Alexandria Worth Visiting? and Is Banff Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Banff or Alexandria?

How long in Alexandria or Banff?

In either Alexandria or Banff, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Banff than Alexandria because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alexandria, and 2-5 days is enough time in Banff.

Families should spend more time in Banff than Alexandria. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Banff, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Banff than Alexandria. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Banff that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Banff than Alexandria if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Banff.

One day in Alexandria or Banff?

In Alexandria, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this quaint destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Banff might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Alexandria or Banff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alexandria. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Even though Banff is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Alexandria or Banff?

Alexandria is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Alexandria. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Banff, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Alexandria or Banff?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Alexandria. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Banff is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Banff, we can see that Banff is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Banff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Banff than you might in Alexandria.

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

Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Banff?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria 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.