Are you wondering how to go from Banff to Calgary? The Calgary International Airport (YYC) is a great starting point for visiting the Canadian Rockies. This is where a lot of travelers to Banff find that their journey begins. For you, a trip from Calgary to Banff begins in the city, continues through the prairies of Alberta, ends with the Canadian Rockies in the background, and ends in the Bow Valley.
The good news is that there are numerous ways to get from Calgary to Banff if you’re arriving in Calgary before your trip to Banff. These choices include shuttle buses, public transportation, private transfers, and rental cars. We’ll provide you with the distance between Banff and Calgary as well as all the best ways to get there if you’re interested in knowing.
Now let’s examine the most effective routes to take from Calgary to Banff. Continue reading to find out how this trip can be completed without renting a car. You might be surprised. (However, we do believe that most guests would prefer to be attended by one.)
Which Airport Is Nearest to Banff?
You might be wondering which airport is closest to Banff. The Calgary International Airport (YYC) is that. We think YYC is one of the nicest airports in all of North America, so that’s where we begin most of this article. Its layout is excellent for a major city, and it’s rarely extremely busy.
How far is it between Banff and Calgary?
The short answer to the question of how far it is from Calgary to Banff is that it’s not that far. The drive from Calgary to Banff takes approximately 1.5 hours, but about 45 minutes into the drive, you’ll start to see some amazing mountain views.
Depending on where you are coming from in Calgary, the trip to Canmore should take you about one hour and fifteen minutes. That being said, there exist multiple pathways that lead to Banff.
The Trans-Canada Highway offers the quickest route between Calgary and Banff. The distance on AB-1 W from YYC to Downtown Banff is roughly 144.0 km. Although there isn’t much scenery along this route, it does become more picturesque after you pass the Stoney Nakoda Casino on your left. Before you reach Canmore, you’ll pass by other well-known mountain peaks like Yamnuska. The Parks Canada entrance gates to Banff are located immediately after Canmore. If you don’t already have a Banff Park Pass, you can get one here.
I would advise taking the scenic route if you have an extra thirty minutes to spare because it doesn’t take much longer than the fast route. You will take the exit towards Cochrane and travel Highway 1A from Cochrane to Canmore when driving from Calgary to Banff. There is a small detour with some alternative views. To expedite your journey, you can join the 1A in Cochrane and exit close to Morley, then proceed to Banff via the TransCanada.
Consider taking each route to and from Calgary by car, if time permits. Use the 1A to go from Calgary to Banff and the Trans Canada to go from Banff to Calgary, or the other way around.
During the winter, plan on the drive taking longer—especially after a significant snowfall.
With Calgary and the surrounding area entering the mountains, the TransCanada can get extremely congested on weekends in July and August. This implies that traveling to Banff on a Friday night might take longer than traveling back to Calgary on a Sunday evening. If you have flights during these times, bear this in mind.
Because chinooks, or warm air gusts that descend from the mountain, have blown unwary drivers off the road, exercise extra caution as you approach the mountains. This is a serious risk during the winter, when strong winds can cause the road to vanish. If the storm is exceptionally severe, you might want to stay overnight in Calgary. Apart from that, it’s a simple drive to Banff from Calgary.
Options for Transportation
Banff to Calgary via Shuttle Bus
Private shuttle bus transfers are provided by a number of companies from Calgary International Airport. There are several daily transfers available on the Calgary to Banff bus, which runs on a schedule. Brewster Express and Banff Airporter are the two most well-liked. Your travel plans may favor one of them over the other because they are both great choices with different offerings.
Option 1 for the Calgary to Banff Bus is Banff Airporter.
There is a year-round service between Calgary, Canmore, and Banff called the Banff Airporter. You almost never have to wait longer than an hour after your flight lands because they have a lot of scheduled times. There is only one airport pickup location in Calgary and one Coast Hotel location in Canmore for pickup and drop off. Even so, they provide a hotel pickup and drop-off service in Banff.
The buses are new, have power outlets, comfy seats, blankets, and water available, and the staff is always welcoming. It takes roughly 1:15 hours to get to Canmore and 1:45 hours to get to Banff. Of course, where you are in Banff and the state of the roads will determine how long it takes to get there. They don’t provide Lake Louise with any services. We’ve used them a lot because we prefer to leave our car in our garage when we go on vacation; they’ve always provided excellent service.
Option 2 for the Calgary to Banff Bus is Brewster Express.
The biggest provider of bus services and group tours in and around the Canadian Rockies is Brewster Express. Major attractions like the Lake Minnewanka Cruise and the Banff Gondola are also run by their parent company, Pursuit.
Group tour buses run by the transportation company Brewster take visitors to all of the park’s main attractions. One of their tours might be a fantastic way to see the park, even if you decide to use a different mode of transportation.
Brewster Express connects Calgary with Kananaskis, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper and runs only during the summer. Pick-up and drop-off locations are more plentiful when using Brewster Express. The most noteworthy are the daily shuttle from the Calgary Airport to Jasper and the regular service to Lake Louise. They also provide a shuttle service that picks people up from hotels in the heart of Calgary.
If you have time to explore Calgary, which you should during the summer, this is a great option. If you plan your trip during the Calgary Stampede, you can take advantage of some fantastic activities, eat at some excellent restaurants, and explore Studio Bell. Additionally, they provide a winter service that links the ski areas and Banff town; however, there isn’t a service that runs from Calgary to Banff.
Point-to-point tickets can also be purchased via the bus service. From Canmore to Lake Louise or Banff to Jasper, you can take a shuttle bus.
Option 3: Explore Banff Tours for the Calgary to Banff Shuttle
Find out Shuttle services between Banff, Canmore, Downtown Calgary, and the Calgary Airport are provided by Banff Tours. These coach buses cost $78 per person and operate every day.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the majority of Banff hotels are among the Lake Louise locations from which this shuttle service picks people up. They will only drop you off at the Coast Hotel in Canmore, and they will pick you up and drop you off at YYC or a few Downtown hotels in Calgary.
Option 4: Transportation to Mountain Parks
In the Rockies, Mountain Park Transport is a well-known tour operator. Currently, shuttles are offered from YYC to either Lake Louise or Banff in the summer and winter. The starting price per person is $63.
Option 5: Shuttles & RTB Tours
A small business called RTB Tours is headquartered in Calgary. They provide service to both Canmore and Banff, with numerous pick-up and drop-off locations.
RTB Tours has some of the lowest prices for shuttle service; one-way transfers start at $50, and round-trip transfers cost $82. They provide transfers all year long! If their pick-up times conflict with your schedule, they also provide private, personalized transportation.
Offering full-service tours to Banff, Drumheller, and surrounding areas of Calgary, RTB Tours
The On-It Public Bus is Option 6.
You can go from Calgary to Banff via a public bus route, though this is only available in the summer. Downtown Calgary is connected to the towns of Banff and Canmore by the regional transit provider On-It. Although it only costs $10, the bus is not as opulent as shuttle buses and does not have enough space for luggage in the back. Additionally, the bus only runs on weekends.
The plan is primarily for residents of Calgary to use public transportation to go to the park and back. However, it’s a great way to save some cash if you’re visiting Banff on a tight budget. Free local transportation within Banff on the Roam transit system is included with the ticket.
Plan ahead and purchase your tickets well in advance, as the weekend buses tend to sell out quickly. The busses leave from the Crowfoot LRT Station, Bridlewood / Somerset LRT Station, and Downtown Calgary. Buses stop at the Benchlands & Bow Valley Trail in Canmore and the intersection of Elk Street & Banff Avenue in Banff.
The Banff Express is Option 7.
Excellent value fares to Banff and Canmore are available via the Banff Express. Buses depart from the HI Calgary City Center Hostel, Calgary – Foothills Hospital McCaig Tower (West Entrance), and Calgary Eau Claire Market (Good Earth Coffeehouse).
The Banff – Heritage Train Station and the Canmore – Visitor Information Center are the destinations where passengers are dropped off. In Banff, drop-off at your house or hotel is possible; simply ask your driver. In contrast to airport options, The Banff Express is reasonably priced, with one-way fares starting at:
Vivo Public Bus is Option 8.
Vivo shared bus is a small-group shuttle bus that runs between Calgary and Canmore or Banff and is slightly less expensive than some of the options listed here. The Solara or Northwinds in Canmore and the Mount Royal in Banff are two locations for drop-offs. The starting price per person is $53.
Private Transfer from Calgary to Banff
If you would rather have more flexibility than drive, think about booking a private transfer from Calgary. You are free to depart from any address in Calgary at any time. There are many different options available for cars, including luxury sedans, charter buses, and taxis. Anywhere in the area can be your choice of destination as well. Naturally, rates differ.
The Alberta government has mandated that taxis charge a flat rate of $250. Among the nearby taxi services in Calgary are:
Connected Cabs
Checker Cabs
Calgary Taxis
Private shuttle services are provided by numerous businesses, and booking directly will probably result in a lower price than staying at a hotel or resort. Starting at approximately $350, the Best Transport and Tour offers private shuttle service to Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. Although you can reserve a number of luxury cars from Banff Sedan, their prices are a little higher.
In the long run, these services may be more affordable for large groups or cost no more than the shuttle bus service, plus you can set your own schedule. For instance, a private transfer for a ten-person sprinter van costs $587.77, whereas the Banff Airporter charges $689.90.
Rent a vehicle and travel to Banff from Calgary
The drive from Calgary to Banff is really simple! One of the best ways to see Banff is by renting or driving your own car, which has several benefits over using public transportation. With this option, a shuttle from Calgary to Banff is not necessary!
You can explore all of Banff’s different areas, avoid crowds, and set your own schedule with a car. You will require a rental car of your own if you intend to hike extensively.
Of course, you can schedule tours or take public transportation to get around the park if you don’t want to drive. Using tours and public transportation may make more sense if your plans include seeing the most well-known locations.
While there are public transportation options to get to locations like Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, and Moraine Lake, parking can be far more challenging there. You’ll need your own wheels for anything even slightly off the beaten path, though.
At Calgary International Airport, all of the major car rental companies have a sizable fleet full of choices. In the summer, you don’t need a truck or SUV, and in the shoulder seasons, when snowy roads are rare, it’s debatable.
If you are on a tight budget, renting a car from the Calgary city center instead of the airport might be worthwhile because the difference in cost is usually between $50 and $100.
Wintertime Travel to Banff
It is essential that you rent a car with winter tires if you intend to visit Banff during the winter. Get a car with winter tires if you plan to visit between November and April. Tell the company you rented the car from that you are heading to Banff; they ought to know what to do.
Winter tires are required for the Icefields Parkway if you intend to drive on it. Traveling on Highways 93N, the Icefields Parkway, and 93S, the Banff-Windermere Highway (which passes through the Banff and Kootenay national parks) between November 1 and March 31 is legally required to have snow tires or chains.
Resources for Car Rentals in the Canadian Rockies
Check out our comprehensive guide to all you need to know about renting a car in Banff.
For driving guidelines and road laws, visit Travel Alberta.
5.11 Alberta: For the most recent information on roads
Conditions of Bow Valley Road Facebook Community: for images and direct information about the roads. Particularly useful during the winter.
We rent cars all over the world through Rentalcars.com and Discover Car Rental.
Republic of Motorhomes: Consider a campervan to have your wheels, hotel, and kitchen all in one! Motorhome Republic offers rate comparison and search capabilities.
Unusual Ways to Travel Between Banff and Calgary
Though there isn’t currently a train from Calgary to Banff, there are plans to build one in the future.
Uber is always an option, but I wouldn’t depend on it because a lot of drivers will demand a return fare to cover the expense of driving you all the way to Banff.
Poparide is a ridesharing service where you can find drivers who are already traveling between Calgary and Banff, similar to BlaBlaCar in Europe. Although prices can differ, they are usually not much more than what fuel costs.
There are many Facebook groups in the Bow Valley where drivers and passengers are constantly looking for other people to ride with. Even though Canada is a very safe country, this is obviously a riskier option that I wouldn’t suggest to most tourists. That is an option, though, if you are extremely tight for cash.
You will probably have to wait a while to find a ride if you hitchhike between Calgary and Banff as it is not a popular route.
Similar to Airbnb for cars is Turo. Try Turo if you are unable to find a good deal or a variety of rental car options.
Transportation Within Banff
You can do pretty much anything you want to do in Downtown Banff without a car once you get there. While it’s not necessary, renting a car gives you a lot more freedom when traveling in Banff. There are even hikes around Lake Louise and hikes like Sulphur Mountain and Tunnel Mountain that start right from the town center.
Transportation in the Bow Valley
Roam Transit provides dependable service throughout the region, despite the fact that the towns of Banff and Canmore are not large enough to warrant a robust public transportation system.
Particularly in the summer, the majority of the main locations are covered. You can travel quite easily from Lake Minnewanka to Moraine Lake and the Banff Gondola. You can purchase a daily or monthly card, individual fares, or multiple fares at once. Local routes have fares as low as $2, making them quite reasonable as well.
Banff Shuttle Buses
For luggage transfers, it might be best to look into the Brewster Express, which links Kananaskis, Canmore, Calgary, Lake Louise, and Jasper. For a simple hotel transfer between Banff and Jasper or Lake Louise, you can reserve individual legs.
Tour in Banff reserved
Numerous tour companies will come to you and take you to all of Banff’s attractions. Large group tours, private tours, and unusual activities like dog sledding and white water rafting can all be reserved. Taking a tour gives you access to a knowledgeable guide who can tell you about the park’s history, natural wonders, and facts in addition to providing transportation. This fantastic tour departs from Calgary and visits some of the most iconic locations in Banff, including Bow Falls, Johnston Canyon Walk, and the Hoodoos.
All of this implies that a car is not necessary to visit Banff. Learn about Banff There are many different operators in the area, so compare prices and choose the tour that best fits your needs. Two of the largest operators are Tours and the Pursuit. Here are our suggested Banff tour options.
Alternative Routes to Avoid Banff
Taxi: Although they are not the most affordable option, the few taxis in Banff are there in case you need them.
By Bike: I commute virtually everywhere on my bike during the summer. I enjoy cycling back and forth from Banff to Canmore. On a sunny day, it’s a great and active way to explore the park. I would strongly advise bringing bikes if you plan to explore the park by car. In the summer, Banff Adventures also rents cruisers and mountain bikes. A trail map, lock, and helmet are included when renting a bike.
Banff Parking: During the busiest summer months, parking in the town of Banff can be difficult. While there are still some free parking lots in the town, most parking is now paid. To find out where parking is available, visit the Banff website.
Upon arrival at Banff National Park
A Parks Canada pass is required for every visitor to Banff National Park for the duration of their stay. Just past Canmore is the Parks entrance gate to Banff. The gates are located approximately 120.0 km from Calgary in the Banff area.
On the right, you’ll see cars passing the gates; however, these drivers are either passing through without intending to stop in Banff, or they already have passes. Passes must be purchased at the gates by visitors who do not already have one or who have not pre-purchased online.
Employees of Parks Canada do verify if you are in possession of your pass and are able to obtain a ticket. On a nice summer’s day, the line to purchase a Parks Canada pass can get pretty long, so it’s best to buy ahead. The cost of a Parks Canada pass is as follows:
$10.50 for an adult
Senior: $ 9.
Children (under 17): Free
Seven-person family or group: $21.00
Day passes expire the next day at 4:00 PM.
Alternatively, Parks Canada offers them for pre-purchase online. I heartily advise getting a Discovery Pass if you plan to stay in Banff for longer than a couple of days.
For just $145.25 per family, a family can purchase a Parks Canada Discovery Pass, which grants access to all Parks Canada locations for the entire year. Once more, day passes cost $10 per person, so you might want to think about getting the Discover Pass if you plan to visit Banff and how many days you will be staying. The cost of a Discovery Pass is as follows:
$72.25 for an adult
Elderly: $61.75;
household: $145.25
Where to Stay Between Banff and Calgary
There are some enjoyable activities to do in the area between Calgary and Banff, but the majority of the fun is found in the mountains!
WinSport: One of the best winter activities in Calgary is visiting this small ski resort.
Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary: Get up close and personal with wolves in a safe setting.
Bowness Park is a stunning park worth visiting on your way out of Calgary.
Barrier Lake: Located in Kananaskis, not far from the Trans Canada Highway, is a stunning lake. Although it’s a bit of a detour, this is a beautiful location to stop for lunch if you’re looking for one.
Wonderful lake Lac Des Arcs is located on the right side of the road when traveling from Calgary to Banff National Park.
You Have Made it to Banff!
You are in one of the most beautiful places on earth, so dance a little! There are lots of places to stay, restaurants to try, and things to do.
Activities in Banff
Trek Tunnel Mountain: Tunnel Mountain is one of my favorite short hikes in Banff. It’s a fantastic first hike in the Rockies and is conveniently located off of Banff Avenue.
Ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain: This is a traditional Banff activity. Nowhere else will you find such breathtaking views for the little effort.
See Bow Falls: You can get to Bow Falls from Downtown with a short stroll. A stunning cascade close to the Banff Springs Hotel.
The Finest Dining Options in Banff
Great beer, pizza, and vibes at Bear Street Tavern. An excellent and reasonably priced lunch spot.
The Waldhaus Restaurant: Few locations have views as breathtaking as these in the summertime. It serves German food and beer and has a view of the Banff Springs golf course.
The Bison: Reserve a romantic evening for this contemporary eatery. It offers fantastic views, food, and cocktails.
Where in Banff to Stay
Elk+Ave Hotel: This mid-range to upper-end hotel is situated in the heart of Banff Avenue’s activity.
Located close to Castle Mountain, these distinctive Banff cabins are situated away from the downtown area. It’s worth it, but you’ll need your own car to stay here!
The Banff Springs Hotel is one of Canada’s most famous lodging establishments. The views from this castle are the most captivating in the entire valley. Although it’s an investment, you’ll love it.
