Banff vs Canmore is the first decision you’ll probably make when planning your trip to The Rockies. It’s quite unusual that you have two great options within such close proximity to the national park, and everything you want to do in the Banff area. Normally we find that there is a premier option and a much less desirable but cheaper option, a bit like Springdale and Hurricane as a base for Zion National Park.
Happily, in this case we’re comparing two great towns, but there are differences to consider when making your decision on where to stay. We’ve visited the area three times and stayed twice in Canmore and once in Banff, so we can give a first hand account of what each option is actually like.
Here’s our thoughts on Banff vs Canmore. As both locations are spectacular, surrounded by a jagged mountain range, we won’t add that to the pros section of either.
Banff vs Canmore
Staying in Banff town: The pros
The most important pro in our opinion is that most of the activities you will be looking to do in the area (particularly if you are a first time visitor) are in, or much closer to Banff.
This is especially important to consider if your trip is short. Some of Banff’s most famous attractions are actually a fair drive from Banff, for example Lake Louise is 57km and Moraine Lake is 72km away.
Both lakes are on almost every single person’s Banff itinerary and considering the best time to go in order to secure a parking space is before sunrise, being that bit closer to them is more beneficial than you’d think.Banff town is extremely walkable, as everything has been laid out with tourists in mind and getting around is a breeze. The town is a very manageable size to explore on foot which means you won’t have to worry about constantly finding a parking space.
Vermillion Lakes in Banff
You can get around the area without a car. The shuttles to major sights like Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon all go from Banff. Whilst we would recommend hiring a car to get the most out of your time, you don’t have to if you just want to see the main sights.
There are a greater variety of drinking and dining options. You can also walk to the majority of restaurants and bars very easily which is convenient and means that you can have a drink if you want to.
The area has more of a buzz, if you like the feeling of a bit of liveliness on the streets then you’ll find this in Banff town.
If shopping is your thing you’ll find many more options in Banff; including outdoor shops, clothes shops and lots of souvenir shops.
The view from Tunnel Mountain in Banff town
Read next: 13 Magical photography spots in Banff
The cons
There are no two ways about it, Banff is more expensive than Canmore. Sometimes by quite some margin. If money is tight, you will struggle to find anything that is ‘good value’ in Banff. If you’re set on staying in Banff, fall is a cheaper time to stay, we’ve got a detailed guide on what to expect from Banff in the fall.
Banff is more touristy. Some people will like this, but some people will find that it is too busy for them, particularly in peak season.
Banff was set up as a tourist town from the off, so it has that vibe. If you’re someone that likes to feel like you’re one of the locals on holiday, Banff will not be for you.Parking is an absolute nightmare in Banff! Whilst you can get around without a car, if you do have one make sure your accommodation offers parking because in summer you will definitely struggle to find spaces in Banff.
Accommodation sells out quicker than in Canmore, so you need to book your trip really far ahead of time to stand a chance of securing a decent place to stay, particularly in July and August.
The views from the Fairmont in Banff
Staying in Canmore
The pros
Whilst still not cheap, Canmore is cheaper than Banff. If cost is your primary factor then Canmore is going to be the best option for you.
Canmore is a ‘normal’ town not a tourist town. It’s where most Canadians choose to stay when visiting the area and it has much more of a local’s vibe.
The 3 Sisters in Canmore
Canmore is a lot quieter than Banff. If you like the idea of visiting a small mountain town rather than a bustling tourist town then Canmore will be your best bet.
It’s much easier to get a parking space in Canmore than it is in Banff.
It’s closer to some of the less touristy hiking trails in Kananaskis Country, if you’re the type of person that likes to find off the beaten track places, it is easier to do so around Canmore than Banff.
Views above Canmore
Cons
Canmore is further from the main attractions in the Banff area. This means that you have to add on an additional 50km to every journey (25km each way) you make.
That starts to add up after a while, particularly when visiting the sights which are still a fair distance even from Banff town.Unless you are happy to make multiple connections, you will need a car if you are staying in Canmore. There is a good bus service connecting Banff and Canmore, but unless you are just visiting the town you will need to then get a further connection. This will eat into your time exploring.
The Canmore Valley from Ha Ling Peak
Canmore town is more spread out than Banff, so it isn’t really such a great town for walking.
A lot of the accommodation is in a slightly different area to the restaurants and bars, so you may find you need to drive which can be a pain (although parking is easier than in Banff).
So which is our favourite?
Having stayed in both our favourite was actually Banff. Normally we prefer non-touristy towns to touristy ones so this surprised us, the truth is we absolutely loved Banff. The area was buzzing and we met so many people to swap hiking and travel tips with!
Canmore is great but being so much closer to the main attractions around Banff was a huge thing for us. We also loved being able to walk to dinner each night in just a few minutes. We’d say that if money is no object go for Banff but if your budget is tight you will still have a great holiday if you’re based in Canmore.
If you need help planning your trip, check out our detailed Banff itinerary.
Where to stay in Banff
Banff is a pricey place to stay at any time of year and you won’t really find a bargain. We’ve picked three options for three different budgets.
We stayed in the midrange choice but our budget and luxury options are included because we personally spoke to people staying there and they came highly recommended. You can also see an overview of all your options in the Banff area by clicking here.
If you’re undecided between Banff and Canmore as a base, why not check out our post all about Banff vs Canmore.
Luxury - The Fairmont Banff or Lake Louise
Both Fairmont options are grand and luxurious so where you stay depends on whether you want to be in town or out by Lake Louise (just over 40 minutes drive). If you can, staying in both areas would be great and when we return to the area we will stay at Lake Louise for at least part of our trip as we loved that whole area so much. These are bucket list hotels when you’re really looking to treat yourself and one day we’d love to stay.
The Fairmont hotels don’t come cheap but if you have the budget they do come highly recommended. Rooms look stunning and a blend between modern and old world style - think marble bathrooms. There are onsite pools and jacuzzi with spectacular views. A major downside of the Fairmont in Banff though is that parking is charged in addition to the room rate which we think is quite tight. That is not the case at Lake Louise.
Most hotel sites will offer free cancellation, which is great if you think your plans could change.
Check the latest prices and availability for the Fairmont Banff Springs:
The Fairmont Chateau, Lake Louise
Check the latest prices and availability for the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise:
Budget - Samesun Hostel
This hostel is a bit of an institution and right in the heart of Banff town. When we returned to Banff in mid September as the peak season was winding down the Samesun was one of the few places to stay that still had a no vacancy sign up every single day. They have both mixed and single sex dorms and a friend of ours said there was a great, friendly vibe.
Check the latest prices and reviews on:
Midrange - Ptarmigan Inn
This is where we stayed on our third visit to Banff and we loved the really central location, we could walk everywhere in town and having previously stayed in Canmore it was a treat to be so much closer to the lakes and other attractions surrounding Banff - when you’re heading to Moraine Lake for sunrise those extra 30 minutes in bed really count!
Our room wasn’t huge but it was big enough and very comfortable, the bed in fact was so comfy that sometimes it was hard to drag ourselves out! The bathroom was also great and I loved the local Rocky Mountain shower products. There is a free underground car park and also a pool and sauna which we sadly never had time to use!
Check the latest prices and availability on:
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, that we will earn a small commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase. This helps towards the costs of running our website. :-)
Like it? Pin it!
Follow us on social media
Are you planning a trip to the Rockies? Where would you choose to base yourself? Let us know in the comments below!
12 big mistakes you will want to avoid when planning your trip to Banff in the Canadian Rockies! We’ll tell you the things no one else does. How to avoid the high costs for bad accommodation, how to see some hidden gems and tips to ensure you don’t visit the Banff Hot Springs when it’s a bit gross.