How Much Money Do You Need to go to Banff?

Banff is a dream destination for many travelers, but it is also one of the most expensive places to visit in Canada. The cost of a trip to Banff depends on several factors, such as the season, the duration, the accommodation, the transportation, the activities, and the food. However, with some planning and budgeting, you can go to Banff without breaking the bank.

To give you an idea of how much money you need to go to Banff, here are some of the main expenses you will have to consider and some tips on how to save money on them.

Accommodation

Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses in Banff, especially during the peak season from June to September and during holidays and festivals. The average price of a hotel room in Banff is around $161 USD per night, but it can go as high as $700 USD or more for luxury hotels.

A cheaper option is to stay in a hostel, which costs around $30 USD per night for a dorm bed or $80 USD for a private room. Another option is to rent a vacation home or an apartment, which can cost around $67 USD to $81 USD per night for a one-bedroom unit.

Some tips to save money on accommodation in Banff are:

• Book in advance: Banff hotels and hostels tend to fill up quickly, especially in high season. Booking in advance can help you secure a good deal and avoid disappointment.
• Compare prices: Use websites like Booking.com or Airbnb to compare prices and find the best option for your budget and preferences.
• Stay outside Banff town: You can find cheaper accommodation options in nearby towns like Canmore, Lake Louise, or Jasper. However, keep in mind that you will have to pay for transportation to get to Banff and its attractions.
• Camp: If you are feeling adventurous and don’t mind roughing it, you can camp in one of the many campgrounds in Banff National Park. Camping fees range from $16 USD to $38 USD per night depending on the facilities and services. You will need to bring your own camping gear or rent it from a local outfitter.

Transportation

Transportation is another major expense in Banff, especially if you want to explore the park and its surroundings. The most convenient way to get around Banff is by car, as it gives you more flexibility and freedom.

You can rent a car from Calgary airport or from Banff town. The average cost of renting a car in Banff is around $50 USD per day, but it can vary depending on the type of car, the season, and the rental company. You will also have to pay for gas, which costs around $1 USD per liter ($3.78 USD per gallon).

Some tips to save money on transportation in Banff are:

• Use public transportation: Banff has a public bus system called Roam Transit that connects Banff town with some of the main attractions in the park. A single ride costs $2 USD and a day pass costs $5 USD. You can also use Roam Transit to get to Lake Louise or Canmore for $10 USD one way or $15 USD round trip.
• Use shuttle services: Banff also has several shuttle services that operate during the peak season and offer transportation to popular destinations like Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, Icefields Parkway, and Jasper. These shuttles cost between $10 USD and $30 USD per person depending on the distance and availability. You can book them online or at the visitor centers.
• Bike: If you are feeling active and adventurous, you can bike around Banff and enjoy its scenic trails and roads. You can rent a bike from one of the many bike shops in Banff town for around $40 USD per day or bring your own bike if you have one.
• Hitchhike: If you are feeling adventurous and don’t mind taking risks, you can hitchhike around Banff and hope for a friendly driver to pick you up. Hitchhiking is legal in Alberta as long as you are not on a highway or blocking traffic. However, hitchhiking is not recommended for safety reasons and there is no guarantee that you will find a ride.

Activities

Activities are another big expense in Banff, as there are so many things to see and do in the park and its surroundings. Some of the most popular activities in Banff are:

• Hiking: Banff has hundreds of hiking trails for all levels and interests. Hiking is free, but you will need to pay for the park entrance fee, which is $9.80 CAD ($7.40 USD) per person per day or $19.60 CAD ($14.80 USD) per group per day. You can also buy an annual pass for $69.19 CAD ($52.20 USD) per person or $139.40 CAD ($105.20 USD) per group, which gives you access to all national parks in Canada.
• Canoeing: Banff has many lakes and rivers where you can canoe and enjoy the scenery and wildlife. You can rent a canoe from one of the many outfitters in Banff town or at the lakes for around $50 CAD ($37.70 USD) per hour or $100 CAD ($75.40 USD) per day. You can also bring your own canoe if you have one.
• Skiing: Banff is a winter wonderland and a ski paradise, with three ski resorts to choose from: Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay. Skiing is not cheap, as you will have to pay for the lift tickets, which cost around $100 CAD ($75.40 USD) per person per day or $500 CAD ($377 USD) per person for a 6-day pass. You will also have to pay for the ski rental, which costs around $50 CAD ($37.70 USD) per person per day or $250 CAD ($188.50 USD) per person for a 6-day rental.
• Rafting: Banff has several rivers where you can raft and enjoy the thrill and fun of the rapids. You can book a rafting tour with one of the many operators in Banff town or online for around $100 CAD ($75.40 USD) per person for a half-day tour or $200 CAD ($150.80 USD) per person for a full-day tour. The price includes the equipment, the guide, and the transportation.
• Festivals: Banff has many festivals and events throughout the year that celebrate its culture, nature, and arts. Some of the most popular festivals are the SnowDays Festival, the Performance in the Park, the Banff Centre International String Quartet Festival, and the Banff Mountain Film Festival. The price of attending these festivals varies depending on the type of event, but you can expect to pay around $20 CAD ($15.10 USD) to $50 CAD ($37.70 USD) per ticket.

Some tips to save money on activities in Banff are:

• Book in advance: Some activities and tours can sell out quickly, especially in high season or during festivals. Booking in advance can help you secure your spot and avoid disappointment.
• Compare prices: Use websites like Viator or GetYourGuide to compare prices and find the best deals for activities and tours in Banff.
• Look for discounts: Some activities and tours offer discounts for students, seniors, children, or groups. You can also look for coupons or vouchers online or at the visitor centers.
• Do it yourself: Some activities and tours can be done on your own without paying for a guide or a company. For example, you can hike, bike, or canoe on your own if you have the equipment and the skills. However, make sure you are prepared and follow the safety rules and regulations.

Food

Food is another expense that you will have to consider when visiting Banff. Banff has a variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, and pubs that cater to different tastes and budgets. However, eating out in Banff is not cheap, as you will have to pay for the quality of the food, the service, and the location. The average cost of a meal in Banff is around $25 CAD ($18.90 USD) per person for a mid-range restaurant or $50 CAD ($37.70 USD) per person for a fine dining restaurant.

Some tips to save money on food in Banff are:

• Cook your own food: If you stay in a hostel, a vacation home, or an apartment with a kitchen, you can cook your own food and save money on eating out. You can buy groceries from one of the supermarkets in Banff town or from nearby towns like Canmore or Calgary.
• Eat at local joints: If you want to eat out, you can find some local joints that offer cheaper and more authentic food than the touristy restaurants. For example, you can eat at Banff Avenue Pizza, Banff Indian Cuisine, or Banff Poutine.
• Eat at food trucks: Banff has some food trucks that offer delicious and affordable food on the go. You can find them near the visitor center, the Banff Springs Hotel, or the Bow Falls. Some of the best food trucks in Banff are Eddie Burger Bar, The Balkan, and The Bear Street Tavern.
• Bring your own snacks: If you are hiking, biking, or skiing in Banff, you will need some snacks to keep your energy up. You can bring your own snacks from home or buy them from the supermarket and save money on buying them from the convenience stores or the vending machines. Some of the best snacks for Banff are granola bars, nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate.

Summary

To sum up, the cost of a trip to Banff depends on many factors, but you can expect to spend around $160 USD to $287 USD per day per person on average. This includes accommodation, transportation, activities, and food. However, you can reduce this cost by following some of the tips we shared above and by planning and budgeting your trip in advance.

Here is a table that summarizes the average daily cost of a trip to Banff per person:

Expense	Average Cost
Accommodation	$80 USD
Transportation	$25 USD
Activities	$50 USD
Food	$30 USD
Total	$185 USD

I hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Banff and enjoy this amazing place without spending a fortune. Banff is worth every penny, but it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Happy travels!