Which place is cheaper, Banff or Kingston?
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 Kingston or Banff?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Banff, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Kingston or Banff?
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesBanff Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123Banff $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, 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 Kingston and Banff in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62Banff $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124Banff $76
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Banff
Looking for a hotel in Kingston 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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Banff Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28Banff $5.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $19
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $24
- MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels : $25
- Private Transfer from Kingston's Airport: $32
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Kingston Airport Transfers Private Taxi Service***: $37
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Kingston Norman Manley Airport (KIN) to Kingston - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- Private Airport transfer from MBJ to & from Hotel's in Ochi Rios : $46
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Banff?
Prices for flights to both Banff and Kingston 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 dayKingston $44Banff $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.
- Morning Glory ~ Banff's 'Breakfast Bits' Food Tour: $66
- Sips & Sweets - Canadian Evening Food Tour: $69
- Bites and Sites of Canmore Walking Food Tour: $77
- Banff's Winter Wonderland Food Tour: $85
- A Taste of Banff Food Tour: $87
- Banff Food Tour: Eat the Castle: $151
- Winter Tour with Dinner & Nightrise at Banff Gondola: $166
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Banff $12
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Art Walk Sunday Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $9.78
- Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Mural Tours in the Downtown Kingston Art District, Jamaica: $40
- Reggae Legend - Bob Marley Museum Tour Tickets: $41
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Private Bob Marley Tour Experience: $65
- Kingston City Guided Tour - Classic: $69
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:
- Town of Banff Highlights 2 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $4.00
- Tips-Based Walking Tour & Town Highlights: $4.02
- Tunnel Mountain Trail: a Smartphone Audio Nature Tour : $8.05
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Banff and Calgary: $8.05
- The Sights of a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.05
- The Sights of Canmore: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.07
- 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
- From Calgary: Moraine, Lake Louise & Johnston Canyon- Shared Tour: $29
- Paranormal History Walking Ghost Tour: $29
- Sightseeing Chairlift Ride High Above Banff: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Banff $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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Banff, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Banff much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Banff is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston 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 Kingston Expensive? and Is Banff Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Banff?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Kingston 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.