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

Should you visit Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a picturesque, quaint, and charming city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Pasadena travel costs.

Banff

Banff is a scenic, outdoorsy, and sporty town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, Banff attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Banff travel costs.

Pasadena and Banff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pasadena or Banff?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Banff. Although Pasadena and Banff are both popular with visitors, Banff has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Banff is more popular for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Pasadena is known for its museums and attractions and shopping. Banff is more touristy than Pasadena and is known for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes. It is also home to Lake Louise. Pasadena is popular for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Pasadena different from Banff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Pasadena or Banff Better for Skiing?

Banff is an amazing town to visit for snow skiing. However, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Pasadena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Dining out in Pasadena is an experience not to be missed. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

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.

Is Pasadena or Banff Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are superb in both Pasadena and Banff.

Pasadena has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

Banff has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Pasadena or Banff Better for Hiking?

Banff is an amazing town to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pasadena or Banff?

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

Pasadena is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

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 Pasadena or Banff More Beautiful?

Banff is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Pasadena or Banff Better for Families?

Banff is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Banff is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Pasadena is a family-friendly city. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Pasadena or Banff Better for Couples?

Banff is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Pasadena is a nice destination for couples. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

Is Pasadena or Banff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Banff is notable for backpackers. However, Pasadena is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Banff is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

Pasadena is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for most backpackers.

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

Both Pasadena and Banff offer good public transit options.

Pasadena has a few public transit options. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

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

Is Pasadena or Banff a more walkable city?

Banff is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Pasadena is somewhat walkable. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Banff or Pasadena?

How long in Pasadena or Banff?

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

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

In Pasadena, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this quaint 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 Pasadena or Banff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pasadena. 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 Pasadena or Banff?

Pasadena is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Pasadena. 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 Pasadena or Banff?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Pasadena. 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 Pasadena and Banff, we can see that Banff is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Pasadena.

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

Which is Bigger, Pasadena or Banff?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Pasadena 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.