A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bangor vs. Kamloops for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Bangor or Kamloops?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangor and Kamloops can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bangor

Bangor is a welcoming, friendly, and laid back town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See Bangor travel costs.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a laid-back, outdoorsy, and nature-filled city. Other popular activities here include skiing, nightlife, and food. See Kamloops travel costs.

Bangor and Kamloops: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Bangor or Kamloops?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kamloops. Although Bangor and Kamloops are both popular with visitors, Kamloops has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kamloops is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, and hiking, while Bangor is known for its museums and attractions and small town charm. Bangor is popular for its history as a lumber town. Kamloops is popular for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses. It is also home to Sun Peaks Resort.

How is Bangor different from Kamloops?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Bangor or Kamloops Better for Skiing?

Bangor
Kamloops

Kamloops is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Bangor is not a skiing destination.

Kamloops is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

Bangor is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bangor or Kamloops?

Bangor
Kamloops

Bangor is a town with good options for its museums and history. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Bangor offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

Is the Food Better in Bangor or Kamloops? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bangor
Kamloops

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Bangor and Kamloops can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Bangor area. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kamloops. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

Is Bangor or Kamloops Better for Nightlife?

Bangor
Kamloops

Kamloops is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kamloops. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bangor. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.


Is Bangor or Kamloops Better for Hiking?

Bangor
Kamloops

Kamloops is a city with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Kamloops. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bangor or Kamloops?

Bangor
Kamloops

Both Bangor and Kamloops are good shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Bangor to go shopping. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Kamloops. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.

Is Bangor or Kamloops Better for Families?

Bangor
Kamloops

Kamloops is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Kamloops is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

Bangor is a family-friendly town. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.


Is Bangor or Kamloops Better for Couples?

Bangor
Kamloops

Kamloops is a city with good options for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Kamloops is a good city for couples to visit. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

Is Bangor or Kamloops Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bangor
Kamloops

Both Bangor and Kamloops offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

Is Bangor or Kamloops a more walkable city?

Bangor
Kamloops

Bangor is a town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Bangor is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.

Kamloops is generally not very walkable. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.


For even more information, also check out Is Bangor Worth Visiting? and Is Kamloops Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamloops or Bangor?

How long in Bangor or Kamloops?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bangor or Kamloops to fill your time. In our opinion, Kamloops has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Kamloops than Bangor. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kamloops than Bangor 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 Kamloops.


  • How many days in Bangor or Kamloops? Ideal Length of Stay
    Bangor 1-2 
    Kamloops 1-2

One day in Bangor or Kamloops?

The town of Bangor offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the destination of Kamloops. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bangor or Kamloops?

Bangor is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bangor, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kamloops is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bangor or Kamloops?

Bangor is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kamloops. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


A week in Bangor or Kamloops?

Bangor is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid-back destination of Kamloops. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Kamloops or Bangor?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Bangor Prices
    USA Prices
    Kamloops Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Bangor $237
    Kamloops $99

The average daily cost (per person) in Bangor is $237, while the average daily cost in Kamloops is $99. 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 Bangor and Kamloops in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bangor $114
    Kamloops $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bangor $228
    Kamloops $88
Compare Hotels in Bangor and Kamloops

Looking for a hotel in Bangor or Kamloops? 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 Bangor


Hotels in Kamloops


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: Bangor Hotel Prices and Kamloops Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bangor $36
    Kamloops $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangor:

  • Private Transfer from Bangor city hotels to Rockland Cruise Port: $210
  • Private Transfer from Bangor Airport(BGR) to Rockland Cruise Port: $210

Is it cheaper to fly into Bangor or Kamloops?

Prices for flights to both Kamloops and Bangor 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
    Bangor $93
    Kamloops $41

Typical Food Prices in Kamloops

For Kamloops, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Pastries
    $5.80
  • Lunch for Two
    $25
  • Coffee and Gelato
    $12

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bangor $45
    Kamloops $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangor

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


  • Children's Museum (for 4)
    $32

Tours and Activities in Kamloops

For Kamloops, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Kamloops & Revelstoke: $8.07
  • Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Kamloops and Vancouver: $8.08
  • Scenic Kamloops Self Guided Audio Driving Tour to Lake Louise : $12
  • BC Wildlife Park Entry Ticket: $14
  • Skip the Line: Kamloops BC Wildlife Park Admission Ticket: $15
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Kamloops by Zombie Scavengers: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bangor $23
    Kamloops $6.77


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

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


Which is Bigger, Bangor or Kamloops?

Kamloops has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bangor. When comparing the sizes of Bangor and Kamloops, 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.


When is the best time to visit Bangor or Kamloops?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bangor or Kamloops in the Summer?

Both Kamloops and Bangor during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Bangor because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kamloops this time of year.

In July, Bangor is generally cooler than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Bangor average around 69°F (21°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Bangor usually gets more rain in July than Kamloops. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bangor 69°F (21°C) 
    Kamloops 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Bangor or Kamloops in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangor and Kamloops. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Bangor this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kamloops for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Bangor is cooler than Kamloops in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bangor averages around 48°F (9°C) in October, and Kamloops fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Bangor usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Bangor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bangor 48°F (9°C) 
    Kamloops 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Bangor or Kamloops in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bangor as well as Kamloops. Many travelers come to Bangor for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Kamloops in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kamloops can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bangor. In the winter, Bangor is much colder than Kamloops. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bangor in January average around 18°F (-8°C), and Kamloops averages at about -3°C (27°F).

Bangor usually gets more rain in January than Kamloops. Bangor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bangor 18°F (-8°C) 
    Kamloops -3°C (27°F)

Should I visit Bangor or Kamloops in the Spring?

Both Kamloops and Bangor are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bangor in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Bangor is generally much colder than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Bangor average around 43°F (6°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In April, Bangor usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bangor 43°F (6°C) 
    Kamloops 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Kamloops and Bangor

Bangor Kamloops
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°F (-8°C) 3 inches (77 mm) -3°C (27°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Feb 20°F (-6°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 2°C (35°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 31°F (-1°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 7°C (44°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 12°C (53°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
May 54°F (12°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 16°C (61°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Jun 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 21°C (69°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 69°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 23°C (73°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Aug 67°F (20°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 23°C (73°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 59°F (15°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 17°C (63°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 48°F (9°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 11°C (51°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Nov 37°F (3°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 4°C (39°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Dec 24°F (-5°C) 4 inches (100 mm) -1°C (30°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)