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

Should you visit Ketchikan or Banff?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Ketchikan and Banff can help you decide which place is right for you.

Ketchikan

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

Banff

Banff is a scenic, outdoorsy, and sporty town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Banff is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and skiing. See Banff travel costs.

Ketchikan and Banff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ketchikan or Banff?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Banff. Although Ketchikan and Banff are popular destinations, Banff has more sights and attractions for tourists. Banff is very popular for its skiing, nightlife, and small town charm, while Ketchikan attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and food. Ketchikan is famous for its salmon fishing, beautiful natural environment, and strong sense of local culture. Banff is famous for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes. It is also well known for Lake Louise.

How is Ketchikan different from Banff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Ketchikan or Banff Better for Skiing?

Banff is renowned for snow skiing. However, Ketchikan is not a skiing destination.

Banff is among the world's best ski destinations. 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.

Ketchikan is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Ketchikan offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Ketchikan is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Ketchikan is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.

Banff has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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 Ketchikan or Banff Better for Nightlife?

Banff is notable for nightlife. However, Ketchikan is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

Banff has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Ketchikan. Because most visitors arrive by cruise ship, there's a more local vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll find a few local bars around town where you can enjoy a drink and good conversation.

Is Ketchikan or Banff Better for Hiking?

You'll find world-class hiking in both Ketchikan and Banff.

Many people visit Ketchikan specifically for its hiking. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.

Known for its hiking, Banff draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Ketchikan or Banff?

Both Ketchikan and Banff are nice shopping destinations.

Ketchikan is a great destination for shopping. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Banff. There are tons of downtown shops that sell local items, art, sports gear, or clothing.

Is Ketchikan or Banff More Beautiful?

Ketchikan and Banff both are comparable with their great scenery and beauty.

Ketchikan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's located at the southernmost entrance to the Inside Passage, so you can expect dramatic natural beauty and a breathtaking setting.

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.

Is Ketchikan or Banff Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Ketchikan or Banff.

Ketchikan is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly activities and tours, but do note that many tours book up fully with cruise ship passengers. Any tours you wish to do should be arranged well in advance. Popular kid-friendly activities include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Misty Fjords, and a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Everyone will enjoy learning about the area's history and nature at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. And anyone who enjoys the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" will appreciate the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Banff is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Ketchikan or Banff Better for Couples?

Banff is renowned for romance. Also, Ketchikan is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Banff has plenty to offer. 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.

Ketchikan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy natural beauty, hiking, and wildlife will appreciate their time here. There are many opportunities for fishing and a plethora of seafood restaurants in the area that take advantage of this past time.

Is Ketchikan or Banff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Banff is notable for backpackers. Also, Ketchikan is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Banff. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Ketchikan. While most visitors arrive by cruise ship, for those travel independently will appreciate the hostel in town.

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

Banff is very good for its public transit. However, Ketchikan is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Ketchikan. There are buses that travel through town.

Is Ketchikan or Banff a more walkable city?

Ketchikan and Banff both are great when exploring on foot.

Ketchikan is very walkable. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Banff or Ketchikan?

How long in Ketchikan or Banff?

In either Ketchikan or Banff, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Banff than Ketchikan because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ketchikan, and 2-5 days is enough time in Banff.

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

Couples should spend more time in Banff than Ketchikan. 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 Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan or Banff?

In Ketchikan, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this local destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Even though Banff is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Ketchikan or Banff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ketchikan. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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.

Banff is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and skiing. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Ketchikan or Banff?

Ketchikan is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Ketchikan. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Banff is a small town with plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

A week in Ketchikan or Banff?

You'll find food and shopping around the local destination of Ketchikan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Ketchikan or Banff?

Banff has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Ketchikan 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.