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

Should you visit Greensboro 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 Greensboro 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.

Greensboro

Greensboro is a friendly, welcoming, and under-rated city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Greensboro travel costs.

Banff

Banff is a sporty, adventurous, and scenic town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The beauty of Banff is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Banff travel costs.

Greensboro and Banff: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty


Is there more to do in Greensboro or Banff?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Banff than Greensboro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Banff is better known for its skiing, food, nightlife, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Greensboro is more popular for its museums and attractions. Banff is more touristy than Greensboro and is known for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes. Also, Banff is famous for Lake Louise. Greensboro is well known for its interesting museums and diverse restaurants.

How is Greensboro different from Banff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Greensboro or Banff Better for Skiing?

Greensboro
Banff

Banff is a must-visit destination for winter skiing. However, Greensboro 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.

Greensboro is not a skiing destination.


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

Greensboro
Banff

Greensboro is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Greensboro offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Greensboro Science Center is a highlight for families. Other interesting museums around town include the Elsewhere Modern Art Museum, the Greensboro History Museum, the International Civil Rights Center, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Greensboro
Banff

Banff is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Banff. 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.

Greensboro may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. You'll find a good selection of restaurants around town with Mexican, southern, Italian, and Chinese all being popular options.

Is Greensboro or Banff Better for Nightlife?

Greensboro
Banff

Banff is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Banff is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Greensboro has a few options to choose from. Head downtown for the most trendy bars, breweries, and nightclubs.


Is Greensboro or Banff Better for Hiking?

Greensboro
Banff

Banff is a must-visit destination for its hiking experiences. However, Greensboro 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.

Greensboro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Greensboro or Banff?

Greensboro
Banff

Shopping is a popular activity in both Banff and Greensboro.

Greensboro offers some nice shopping areas. There are shopping centers and shopping malls around town as well as some interesting local boutiques.

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 Greensboro or Banff More Beautiful?

Greensboro
Banff

Banff is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Greensboro is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Banff is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The dramatic Rocky Mountains and stunning natural beauty make this an iconic and beautiful destination.

Greensboro is not a destination known for its beauty.


Is Greensboro or Banff Better for Families?

Greensboro
Banff

Banff is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Banff is a very kid-friendly town. 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.

Greensboro offers lots of family activities. Kids will love visiting the Greensboro Science Center, which has hands-on science exhibits and a small zoo. Younger kids will also enjoy a visit to the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum. During the summer months the Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is a great way to spend a day. Other times of the year, there are indoor play spaces and movie theaters around town.

Is Greensboro or Banff Better for Couples?

Greensboro
Banff

Banff is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for couples.

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.

Greensboro is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The Carolina Theater makes a great date night activity. There is also a diverse selection of restaurants around town and a few parks for a daytime outing.

Is Greensboro or Banff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Greensboro
Banff

Banff is well known for backpackers. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Banff is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

Greensboro is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of budget hotels nearby but no real hostels.


Is Greensboro or Banff Better for Students?

Greensboro
Banff

Greensboro is a popular place for students. However, Banff is not popular with students.

Greensboro is a good city to visit for students. University of North Carolina at Greensboro attracts students to the city. There are also several smaller colleges in the area.

Banff is not popular with students.

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

Greensboro
Banff

Banff is a good destination for its public transit. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Banff, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a bus system, Roam, that connects the towns of Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise.

Public transit is mostly limited in Greensboro. There are several bus routes around town, but you really can depend on them to get where you're going. A car is important for making the most of your trip.

Is Greensboro or Banff a more walkable city?

Greensboro
Banff

Banff is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

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

Greensboro is generally not a very walkable city. Most areas aren't walkable, but for the most pedestrian-friendly sections head to College Hill, downtown, or Brice Street.


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

Should I spend more time in Banff or Greensboro?

How long in Greensboro or Banff?

In either Greensboro or Banff, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Banff than Greensboro because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Greensboro, and 2-5 days is enough time in Banff.

Families should spend more time in Banff than Greensboro. 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 Greensboro. 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 Greensboro 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.


  • How many days in Greensboro or Banff? Ideal Length of Stay
    Greensboro 1-2 
    Banff 2-5

One day in Greensboro or Banff?

In Greensboro, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this under-rated destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 Greensboro or Banff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Greensboro. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 Greensboro or Banff?

Greensboro is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Greensboro. 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 Greensboro or Banff?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the friendly destination of Greensboro. 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 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Banff or Greensboro?

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

  • Greensboro Prices
    USA Prices
    Banff Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Greensboro $197
    Banff $105

The average daily cost (per person) in Greensboro is $197, while the average daily cost in Banff is $105. 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 Greensboro and Banff in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Greensboro $96
    Banff $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Greensboro $192
    Banff $76
Compare Hotels in Greensboro and Banff

Looking for a hotel in Greensboro 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 Greensboro


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: Greensboro Hotel Prices and Banff Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Greensboro $24
    Banff $5.18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banff

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:

  • All-Inclusive Private Banff Tour with Hotel Transfer: $796
  • Banff Canmore to Calgary YYC Airport Transfer: $216
  • Banff to Calgary YYC Airport (Private Transfer with Tesla): $286
  • Calgary Airport to Banff - Private Transfer: $839
  • Canmore/Banff to Calgary Airport (YYC) Private Transfer: $172
  • Private Transfer from Banff to Calgary or Calgary Airport: $88

Is it cheaper to fly into Greensboro or Banff?

Prices for flights to both Banff and Greensboro 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
    Greensboro $82
    Banff $49

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.

  • Morning Glory ~ Banff's 'Breakfast Bits' Food Tour: $66
  • Bites and Sites of Canmore Walking Food Tour: $77
  • Sips & Sweets - Canadian Evening Food Tour: $85
  • Take a Bite of Banff ~ Canadian Rocky Mountain Food Tour: $87
  • A Taste of Banff Food Tour: $106
  • Banff Food Tour: Eat the Castle: $151
  • Winter Tour with Dinner & Nightrise at Banff Gondola: $166

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Greensboro $26
    Banff $12

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:

  • Town of Banff Highlights 2 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $4.00
  • Tips-Based Walking Tour & Town Highlights: $4.02
  • Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Banff and Calgary: $8.05
  • The Sights of Canmore: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.07
  • Tunnel Mountain Trail: a Smartphone Audio Nature Tour : $8.12
  • The Sights of a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.12
  • Banff Cave & Hot Springs Audio Walking Tour (Not a Ticket): $9.99
  • Explore Banff National Park: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $14
  • Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary Walk Ticket in Canada: $29
  • Half Day Shared Adventure to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake : $29
  • Paranormal History Walking Ghost Tour: $29
  • Sightseeing Chairlift Ride High Above Banff: $34

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Greensboro $20
    Banff $9.33

Sample the Local Flavors in Banff

Also in Banff, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Park Distillery Tour with Craft Spirits Tasting: $11
  • Park Distillery Tour with Whisky Tasting: $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Greensboro and Banff, we can see that Greensboro 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 Greensboro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Greensboro 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 Greensboro Expensive? and Is Banff Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Greensboro or Banff?

Greensboro has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Greensboro 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.