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

Should you visit Monterey 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 Monterey 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.

Monterey

Monterey is a relaxing, nature-oriented, and laid back city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Monterey travel costs.

Banff

Banff is a outdoorsy, sporty, and adventurous town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, Banff attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Banff travel costs.

Monterey and Banff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Monterey or Banff?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Monterey. Although Monterey and Banff are both popular with visitors, Monterey has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Monterey is more popular for its museums and attractions, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Banff is known for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Monterey is popular for its rugged coastline, diverse marine life, and excellent seafood. It is also home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Banff is popular for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes.

How is Monterey different from Banff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Monterey or Banff Better for Skiing?

Banff is an amazing town to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Monterey 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.

Monterey is not a skiing destination.

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

Monterey is notable for its sights and museums. However, Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Monterey offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a not-to-be-missed destination in town. You can also visit the Monterey State Historic Park or the Monterey Museum of Art.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Monterey and Banff can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

Monterey has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Seafood and local produce are what make the food special. There are many great restaurants to you can choose from that will let you enjoy the classic seafood dishes like clam chowder or oysters, as well as fresh artichokes and local wine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Banff makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Monterey or Banff Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Monterey and Banff.

Monterey has a large number of nightlife venues. There's a buzzing atmosphere at night with bars, breweries, and casual eateries all coming to life. Some of the best venues are found at the Old Fisherman's Wharf and along Alvarado Street.

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.

Is Monterey or Banff Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Monterey is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Banff is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Monterey has a few good snorkeling spots. Scuba diving offers an unforgettable experience. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary gives you the unique experience of seeing sea lions, otters, kelp forests, crabs, and more.

Banff is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Monterey or Banff Better for Beaches?

Monterey is a popular place for the beach. However, Banff is not a beach destination.

Monterey is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches highlight the laid by California vibe with sunbathers and beachgoers soaking up the atmosphere. There are both inlets and sandy beaches where you can see sea lions or explore the tidal pools.

Banff is not a beach destination.

Is Monterey or Banff Better for Hiking?

Banff is an amazing town to visit for its hiking trails. However, Monterey 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.

Monterey is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Monterey or Banff?

Monterey is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Monterey is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find both local vendors and tourist shops around town. Cannery Row is a popular destination, as is Old Fisherman's Wharf and the Old Farmer's Market.

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 Monterey or Banff More Beautiful?

Banff is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Monterey is not a destination known for its beauty.

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

Monterey is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Monterey or Banff Better for Families?

Monterey is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Monterey is a very family-friendly destination. Monterey Bay Aquarium is a highlight for kids and adults alike. There's also the Monterey Zoo as well as lighthearted activities like a mirror maze. MY Museum is an interactive museum that's perfect for younger kids. There are also whale watching trips and nearby beaches.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Banff. 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 Monterey or Banff Better for Couples?

Banff is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Monterey is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Couples visit Monterey frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many romantic inns in town as well as quaint restaurants and fun activities. There are also spas, wine bars, and plenty of shopping for couples to enjoy as well.

Is Monterey or Banff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Banff is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Monterey is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Banff. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Monterey. There's a hostel in town as well as fun activities that will appeal to backpackers.

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

Banff is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Monterey is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Monterey. There is a bus system through the area.

Is Monterey or Banff a more walkable city?

Monterey and Banff are superb when it comes to walkability.

Monterey is a very walkable destination. If you stay near the town center, it's very walkable and easy to get around on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Banff or Monterey?

How long in Monterey or Banff?

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

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

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

In Monterey, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this nature-oriented 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 is a small town where visitors enjoy the nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Monterey or Banff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Monterey. 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.

Banff is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Banff, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Monterey or Banff?

Monterey is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Monterey. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Banff is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Banff, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Monterey or Banff?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the nature-oriented destination of Monterey. 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 great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week 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 Monterey and Banff, we can see that Monterey 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 Monterey would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Monterey 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 Monterey Expensive? and Is Banff Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Monterey or Banff?

Monterey has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Monterey 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.