Which place is cheaper, Banff or Kansas City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kansas City or Banff?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City 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.
Where Should I go: Kansas City or Banff?
Kansas City
A large, mid western city that sits on the border between Missouri and Kansa, Kansas City has a population of about 450,000. It's not exactly a tourist destination, but it is a surprisingly beautiful city with more boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any other city in the world with the exception of Rome. Most of the city's suburbs are concentrated in the south but the city is beginning to grow to the north as well. The climate in Kansas City can vary dramatically, in large part because it is so far from any form of water. Winters can range from mild to extremely cold and snow is not uncommon. Spring and fall and quite comfortable but summer months can be incredibly hot and humid.
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 Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.
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Kansas City Prices
USA PricesBanff Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKansas City $196Banff $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $196, 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 Kansas City and Banff in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Banff $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Banff $76
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Banff
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kansas City Hotel Prices and Banff Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Banff $5.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:
- Canmore/Banff to Calgary Airport (YYC) Private Transfer: $172
- Calgary Airport to Banff - Private Transfer: $839
- Banff to Calgary YYC Airport (Private Transfer with Tesla): $286
- All-Inclusive Private Banff Tour with Hotel Transfer: $796
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Banff?
Prices for flights to both Banff and Kansas City 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
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Food Meals for one dayKansas City $82Banff $49
Typical Food Prices in Banff
Some typical examples of dining costs in Banff are as follows:
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Tea House Lunch for Two$33
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Hostel Breakfast$27
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McDonalds$4.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Banff
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Banff.
- Sips & Sweets - Canadian Evening Food Tour: $85
- A Taste of Banff Food Tour: $106
- Winter Tour with Dinner & Nightrise at Banff Gondola: $166
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Banff $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Banff
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Banff are as follows:
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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
- Banff and Yoho Lakes with Takakkaw Falls Group Tour: $147
- Lake Louise Bus Tour Experience: $54
- Moraine Lake Sunrise Tour from Canmore/Banff: $99
- 2 Day Banff Lake Louise Johnston Canyon Gondola Cave Basin tour: $139
- 2 Hour Banff Horseback Riding Adventure: $158
- 2-Day Private Tour: Banff Lake Louise Columbia Icefield Tour: $1,218
- 25-Minute Helicopter Adventure in Three Sisters Canmore: $248
- 4WD Tour from Calgary to Bow Lake Banff: $183
- Athabasca Falls/Abraham,Sunwapta Falls,Icefield & Peyto Lake Tour: $117
- Banff - Lake Louise Moraine Lake and Icefields Parkway Tour: $151
- Banff 2-day: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon tour: $78
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Banff $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 Kansas City and Banff, we can see that Kansas City 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 Kansas City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kansas City 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 Kansas City Expensive? and Is Banff Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Banff?
Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.