A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ocho Rios vs. Banff for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Banff?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios 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: Ocho Rios or Banff?

Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios, or "Ochi" is a town located on the northeastern shore of Jamaica and is a popular hub for cruise ships. It is a great destination for tourists as it has many resorts and beautiful beaches.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Banff or Ocho Rios?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $85, 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 Ocho Rios and Banff in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $51
    Banff $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $102
    Banff $76
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Banff

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios 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.

Hotels in Ocho Rios


Hotels in Banff


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: Ocho Rios Hotel Prices and Banff Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.32
    Banff $5.18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios

Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Ian Fleming Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay: $15
  • Montego Bay Airport (MBJ) Transfer One-Way or Round-Trip to Hotel: $16
  • Private Transfer from Ian Fleming Airport to Ocho Rios: $20
  • Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $20
  • Private Transfer To And From Ian Fleming Ocho Rios. : $20
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to YAAMAN Adventure Park Ocho Rios: $27
  • Private Transfer to Konoko Falls Botanical Gardens: $27
  • ATV Tour Ocho Rios - Private Transfer Only (Activity Fee Excluded): $27
  • Private Transfer to ATV dirt road Adventures.: $32
  • Private Round Trip Transfer for Jamaican Jerk at Scotchie's Ocho Rios: $36
  • Private Airport Transfer from Ocho Rios: $40
  • Private Transfer to Beach Horse Back Ride and Swim: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banff

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:

  • Calgary Airport to Banff - Private Transfer: $839
  • All-Inclusive Private Banff Tour with Hotel Transfer: $796
  • Banff to Calgary YYC Airport (Private Transfer with Tesla): $286
  • Canmore/Banff to Calgary Airport (YYC) Private Transfer: $172

Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Banff?

Prices for flights to both Banff and Ocho Rios 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Ocho Rios $28
    Banff $49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ocho Rios

For Ocho Rios, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $128
  • Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $150

Typical Food Prices in Banff

Some typical examples of dining costs in Banff are as follows:


  • Tea House Lunch for Two
    $33
  • Hostel Breakfast
    $27
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    Banff $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ocho Rios

For Ocho Rios, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Tour of Brimmer Hall Estate
    $11
  • Admission to Coyaba Gardens
    $5.27
  • Tour of Prospect Plantation
    $17

Tours and Activities in Ocho Rios

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ocho Rios.

  • Ocho Rios Shopping Tour : $21
  • Original Blue Hole St. Ann Ocho Rios Jamaica Admission Fee Ticket: $25
  • Private Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios Sightseeing and shopping : $30
  • Luminous Lagoon Boat Tour from Ocho Rios: $40
  • Ocho Rios City Bus Tour (Beach, Sightseeing & Shopping): $40
  • Blue Hole and Dunn's River Tour (Entrance Fees Not Included): $40
  • Skip-The-Line: Dunn's River Falls Adventure Tour from Ocho Rios: $40
  • Transportation to Horse Back Ride & Swim Adventure from Ocho Rios: $45
  • Luminous lagoon Private & Group tour from Runaway Bay: $45
  • Ocho Rios City Tour and Sightseeing: $49
  • Shopping and Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios: $50
  • Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios Sightseeing with Shopping: $50

Typical Entertainment Prices in Banff

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Banff are as follows:


  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.43
    Banff $9.33

Sample the Local Flavors in Ocho Rios

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ocho Rios:

  • Bar Hopping, Pub Crawl, Shopping and Sightseeing Tour Ocho Rios: $113

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 Ocho Rios and Banff, we can see that Banff is more expensive. And not only is Ocho Rios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ocho Rios 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 Ocho Rios would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocho Rios 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 Banff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Banff than you might in Ocho Rios.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ocho Rios Expensive? and Is Banff Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Banff?

Ocho Rios has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios 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.