How to Get From Banff to Calgary Without a Car

Getting from Banff to Calgary takes about 1.5-2 hours and is easy. Whether you are looking to get to Calgary International Airport or travel to Downtown Calgary, there is a way to get there without a car.
Important Routing Notes
- Expect the journey to take longer during winter, especially after a big snowstorm.
- During the weekends in July and August, the TransCanada can become very congested, with Calgary and the surrounding region entering the mountains. This means it may take longer to get to Banff on a Friday night, and on Sunday evening, it will take longer to get back to Calgary. Keep this in mind if you have flights during these times.
- There is no train connecting Calgary and Banff, but there are talks of it happening in the future.
- Like BlaBlaCar in Europe, Poparide is a rideshare company where you can find drivers already driving from Banff to Calgary. Prices vary, but typically, it’s not much more than the fuel cost.
- If you are traveling to the USA, note that US customs is done in Calgary, right after security. While security may be fast, we’ve found that the customs lines in the summer can get very long. Plan accordingly with your flight time. We recommend getting to YYC three hours before your flight if traveling to the United States.
Private Shuttle Bus From Banff to Calgary

The Banff Airporter is a year-round service between Calgary, Canmore, and Banff. It has many scheduled times, so you can plan accordingly with your flight times. They offer pick-ups from various hotels in Downtown Banff and will drop you right at Calgary International Airport. This is one of the more expensive options on this list and caters to travelers who want to easily get from Banff to Calgary without a car.
Brewster Express is the largest operator of group tours and bus services in and around the Canadian Rockies. Their parent company, Pursuit, also operates major attractions like the Banff Gondola and Lake Minnewanka Cruise. They run buses all day from Banff to different locations in Calgary, including the Calgary International Airport.
Mountain Park Transport is a popular tour company in the Rockies. It runs shuttles from Lake Louise to Calgary and Banff to Calgary. Prices start at $85 per person.
Buses

On-It is a regional transit company that connects the towns of Banff and Canmore to Downtown Calgary. The bus is not as luxurious as the shuttle buses mentioned, and there is no ample luggage storage in the back, but it costs less than $20! On-It buses have more limited schedules than the shuttle buses, and do not operate in the winter.
It’s designed more so that Calgarians can take public transport to the park and vice versa, as it does not travel direct to the airport. However, if you’re traveling to Banff on a budget, it’s a great way to save some money. The ticket includes free local transport on the Roam transit system around Banff.
Flixbus is one of the cheapest ways to get from Banff to Downtown Calgary. There are multiple daily departures, and the bus rides take between 1.30 and 2 hours. Rates start at $12, which is an absolute steal. Buses have free WiFi and outlets. Pay attention to the Flixbus drop-off, as they do not go to YYC.
Private Shuttle
Many companies offer a private shuttle service, and you’ll likely get the best rate booking directly rather than with your hotel/resort. A Best Transport and Tour starts around $350 with a private shuttle service to Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper.
Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- Recommended Experiences: There are many things to do in the Rockies, but our top recommendation is the Banff Gondola – a must do experience! If you want to get active, consider snowshoeing on top of the world. Lastly, enjoy nighttime in Banff on this Sunset and Stars Tour!
- Want an all in one tour? Pursuit is running this special Winter Wonder tour on weekends!
- Transport in the winter: If you don’t want to drive to Banff in the winter, we totally get it. To avoid this book with the Banff Airporter.
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. For a campervan trip, you can check prices and compare on Outdoorsy.
- We can help you plan your 2025 trip to Western Canada! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by planning we can assist! We’ll personally go over your itinerary, hop on a 1 on 1 phone call, or create a bespoke itinerary just for you! See our services here.