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

Should you visit Portland or Banff?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Portland and Banff can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Portland

Portland is a tree-lined, nature-filled, and scenic city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Portland is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and hiking. See Portland travel costs.

Banff

Banff is a outdoorsy, sporty, and adventurous town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Banff is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include skiing, nightlife, and food. See Banff travel costs.

Portland and Banff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portland or Banff?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Banff. Although Portland and Banff are popular destinations, Banff has more sights and attractions for tourists. Banff is very popular for its skiing, food, nightlife, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Portland attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and music. Portland is famous for its independent and vintage shops, thriving art scene, lush parks and gardens, progressive and quirky personality, and easy access to amazing natural beauty. Banff is famous for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes. It is also well known for Lake Louise.

How is Portland different from Banff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Portland or Banff Better for Skiing?

Banff is very popular for skiing and snowboarding. However, Portland is not a skiing destination.

Visitors will find world class skiing in Banff. 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.

Portland is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Portland offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Visitors usually come for the city's outdoor recreation and eclectic personality more than the landmarks and museums. There are a few places to visit on a rainy day though including Pittock Mansion, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Banff is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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 Portland. The town is more famous for it's craft beer than it's food, but there are still a number of local restaurants that offer unique Oregon dishes. You'll find no shortage of vegetarian and vegan options on most menus. There is also a big farm-to-table scene with many farmers markets around town as well.

Is Portland or Banff Better for Nightlife?

Banff is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Banff has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Portland has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Famously, this town's nightlife is all about the craft beer and local breweries. Make sure you check out Bailey's Taproom, The Big Legrowlski, and The Commons Brewery.

Is Portland or Banff Better for Music?

Portland is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Banff is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Portland is active and vibrant. The town has a thriving live music and international folk dancing scene.

Banff is not a live music destination.

Is Portland or Banff Better for Hiking?

Banff is very popular for its hiking trails. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Around Banff visitors will find world-class hiking trails. 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.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Portland. Just outside of town you'll find amazing hikes and stunning natural beauty. In town there are many urban hikes through parks and gardens, but in just a short drive you also have access to Mount Hood and many of the region's most beautiful hikes around the Columbia River Gorge.

Is the Shopping Better in Portland or Banff?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Portland and Banff.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Portland. To fully experience shopping in town, head to the local vendors and thrift shops. There are many vintage clothing shops, book stores, and independent sellers around town. The city is also full of farmers markets. For some of the most interesting shopping, check out the Pearl District, Pioneer Place, Union Way, and Downtown neighborhoods.

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

Is Portland or Banff More Beautiful?

Banff is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Banff is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The dramatic Rocky Mountains and stunning natural beauty make this an iconic and beautiful destination.

Portland is a beautiful place to visit, too. Surrounded by mountains and filled with parks and greenspace, many people find this town to be quite beautiful.

Is Portland or Banff Better for Families?

Banff is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Banff is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Portland. This is an outdoor city by nature, so families will appreciate the many parks and outdoor recreational activities around town. It's easy to fill a couple of days exploring and having fun with the kids. Kid-friendly activities include the zoo, the aerial tram, and several great museums.

Is Portland or Banff Better for Couples?

Banff is very popular for romance. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Banff is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Portland makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The laid-back, alternative vibe is fun to explore as a couple. There are independent bookstores, nice parks, and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Couples who enjoy an eclectic city, breweries, and nature, will find a lot to do in town.

Is Portland or Banff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Portland and Banff are both excellent destinations for backpackers.

Portland is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town has drawn young explorers for years, and backpackers who like to step away from the mainstream will feel right at home here.

Banff is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

Is Portland or Banff Better for Students?

Portland is a popular place for students. However, Banff is not popular with students.

Portland is a good city to visit for students. It's a young and relaxed city that attracts independent thinkers. There are many bookstores and breweries around town. The cost of living can be a bit high though.

Banff is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Portland and Banff.

Portland has some public transit options. The town has a bus and light rail system as well the Aerial tram.

You'll find some public transit in Banff, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a bus system, Roam, that connects the towns of Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise.

Is Portland or Banff a more walkable city?

Portland and Banff are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Portland is very walkable. It is quite walkable, particularly in the tourist areas such as Downtown, Pearl, and Old Town Chinatown.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Banff or Portland?

How long in Portland or Banff?

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

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

In Portland, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this quirky destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This city 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. 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 Portland or Banff?

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

Portland is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Portland. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Portland or Banff?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the laid-back destination of Portland. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to 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 Portland and Banff, we can see that Portland 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 Portland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland 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 Portland Expensive? and Is Banff Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Portland or Banff?

Portland has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Portland 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.