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

Should you visit Moab or Banff?

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

Should I visit Moab 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.

Moab

Moab is a active, scenic, and adventurous town. You'll find world class beauty in Moab as well. And you can't forget about the hiking and shopping. See Moab travel costs.

Banff

Banff is a adventurous, scenic, and outdoorsy town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Banff is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping. See Banff travel costs.

Moab and Banff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Moab or Banff?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Moab. Although Moab and Banff are popular destinations, Moab has more sights and attractions for tourists. Moab is very popular for its museums and attractions and impressive beauty, while Banff attracts visitors for its skiing, food, nightlife, and small town charm. Moab is more touristy than Banff and is popular for its desert landscapes and the iconic arches found at Arches National Park. It is also well known for Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. Banff is famous for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes.

How is Moab different from Banff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Moab or Banff Better for Skiing?

Banff is very popular for skiing. However, Moab is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Banff should be on your list. 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.

Moab is not a skiing destination.

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

Moab is a moderate town for its sights and museums. However, Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Moab offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that will teach you about the geology and history. You can pop in the Moab Museum or the Film Museum at Red Cliffs Ranch, as well as the galleries around town.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Banff is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Moab is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Moab. The town has grown over the years and now you'll find a diverse selection of restaurants that serve decent food. There are steakhouses, pizzerias, and even a couple ice cream shops.

Is Moab or Banff Better for Nightlife?

Banff is great for nightlife. However, Moab is not a good destination for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Banff for the nightlife scene. 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.

Most people don't head to Moab specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has grown significantly and you'll find bars, taverns, and breweries where you can hang out in the evening, but it's still a quiet place with a laid back atmosphere.

Is Moab or Banff Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Moab and Banff both have first-rate trails.

People visit Moab specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The area is filled with hiking trails, both inside the nearby national parks as well as outside. Canyonlands National Park is large with impressive overlooks, while Arches National Park has fun hikes that take you by diverse arches and include many opportunities for scrambling. Outside of the park, hikers can visit Corona Arch or search for dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur Tracks Trail.

Many people visit Banff specifically for its hiking. 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 Moab or Banff?

If you're looking to go shopping, Moab and Banff both offer plenty of nice spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Moab. There are gift shops, places to buy outdoor equipment, and convenient stores around town. There are also a number of art galleries that sell local items or impressive photography.

Banff offers some nice shopping areas. There are tons of downtown shops that sell local items, art, sports gear, or clothing.

Is Moab or Banff More Beautiful?

Moab is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Moab as well. The desert landscapes and unique geological features make this a fascinating and beautiful area to explore. The dramatic arches in Arches National Park tell a unique story of how the geology of the area has changed.

With stunning beauty, Banff attracts visitors from all around. The dramatic Rocky Mountains and stunning natural beauty make this an iconic and beautiful destination.

Is Moab or Banff Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Moab or Banff.

Moab is a very family-friendly destination. It's a world of outdoor adventures. You'll find river rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and many kid-friendly trails. There's also the Tracks Museum, where kids can learn about dinosaurs as well as swimming pools or swimming holes in the area.

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.

Is Moab or Banff Better for Couples?

Banff is very popular for romance. Also, Moab is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.

Banff makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Moab is a very popular place to visit for couples. The area is filled with adventurous fun, with everything from world-class hikes to impressive rafting trips. The dramatic landscape provides the backdrop for a truly spectacular trip.

Is Moab or Banff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Moab and Banff are high quality places to visit.

Moab is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town has many campgrounds and even a few hostels. Arches National Park has only a few backcountry overnight camping sites. Terrain is rough and most areas aren't accessible by trail.

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.

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

Banff is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Moab is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Banff offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a bus system, Roam, that connects the towns of Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Moab. There are efforts to create a transportation program within town, but there are limited transportation options available. If you book a tour, they usually provide transportation.

Is Moab or Banff a more walkable city?

Banff is great for its walkability. However, Moab is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

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

Moab is generally not very walkable. While it's possible to walk around within the town, most visitors don't come to visit they town, they come to explore the area. You'll need a car to access most points of interest in the area.

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

Should I spend more time in Banff or Moab?

How long in Moab or Banff?

In either Moab or Banff, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Banff has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Banff than Moab. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Banff than Moab. 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 Moab. 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 Moab 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 Moab or Banff?

In Moab, many people enjoy the shopping that this scenic destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Banff is a small town where visitors enjoy the nightlife and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Moab or Banff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Moab. 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 fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Moab or Banff?

Moab is a fun place to experience. In Moab, many people enjoy the shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Banff might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Moab or Banff?

You'll find shopping around the scenic destination of Moab. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Because Banff is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Moab or Banff?

Banff has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Moab. When comparing the sizes of Moab 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.