How to Get From Calgary to Banff
Wondering how to get from Calgary to Banff? The International Airport of Calgary (YYC) is an excellent gateway to the Canadian Rockies. Many visitors to Banff find this is where their trip to the region starts. Most journeys start from the city and then to the Alberta prairies, before setting your eyes on the Canadian Rockies and finally making your way to the Bow Valley.
If you’re arriving in Calgary before your trip to Banff, the good news is there are many ways to get from Calgary to Banff. These options include rental cars, private transfers, shuttle buses, and public transport. If you are curious how far Banff is from Calgary, we’ll answer that for you and all the best options between the two. Read on; you may be surprised you can make this journey without renting a car.
What Is The Closest Airport to Banff?
You may be wondering what the closest airport to Banff is. That would be the Calgary International Airport (YYC). Most of this article starts at YYC, which, in our opinion, is one of the most pleasant airports in North America. It’s rarely super busy and has a great layout for a major city. There is no commercial airport in Banff.
How Far is it From Calgary to Banff?
If you’re wondering the distance from Calgary to Banff, the answer is – it’s not that far. You can make the drive in about 1.5 hours, and you’ll start getting great views of the mountains as you drive in around the 45-minute mark. If traveling to Canmore, you are looking at one hour and 15 minutes, depending on where you are coming from in Calgary. That being said, you can take a few different routes to get to Banff.
- The Fastest Route is on the Trans-Canada Highway. From YYC to Downtown Banff is approximately 144.0 km via AB-1 W. This route isn’t very scenic but does start to get pretty once you pass the Stoney Nakoda Casino on your left-hand side. You’ll then see famous mountain peaks like Yamnuska before reaching Canmore. Right after Canmore, you’ll see Banff’s Parks Canada entrance gates. You can purchase your Banff Park Pass here if you don’t have one yet.
- The Scenic Route doesn’t take much more time than the fast route, so we recommend it if you have an extra 30 minutes. When driving from Calgary to Banff, you’ll take the exit towards Cochrane and take Highway 1A from Cochrane to Canmore. It’s a slight detour with different views. If you want to make it a little quicker, you can get on the 1A in Cochrane and get off near Morley before continuing to Banff on the TransCanada.
Important Routing Notes
- If time allows, consider driving each route to and from Calgary. When driving from Calgary to Banff, take the 1A. For the return home looking away from the mountain, take the TransCanada from Banff to Calgary.
- Expect the drive 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.
- Take extra care as you approach the mountains as Chinooks, gusts of warm air that descend from the mountain, have blown unsuspecting drivers off the road. This is a real threat in the winter when gusts of snow can make the road disappear. If it’s a bad storm, consider spending the night in Calgary. Other than that, the drive is easy!
Calgary to Banff by Shuttle Bus
Several companies offer private shuttle bus transfers from the Calgary International Airport. These bus companies run on a schedule with multiple departures from Calgary to Banff. The two most popular are Banff Airporter and Brewster Express. They’re excellent options with various times and routes, so your travel plans may be better suited for one over the other.
Banff Airporter
The Banff Airporter is a year-round service between Calgary, Canmore, and Banff. They have many scheduled times, so you rarely have to wait more than an hour after your flight has landed. Only one location is available for pickup/dropoff in Calgary at the airport and one in Canmore at the Coast Hotel. While they offer a pickup/dropoff hotel service in Banff.
The staff is always friendly, with modern buses with power points, comfortable seats, blankets, and water available. The journey takes about 1:15 hrs to reach Canmore and 1:45 to reach Banff. Of course, the exact travel time depends on your location in Banff and road conditions. They do not offer a service to Lake Louise. We’ve used them as we like leaving our car in our garage at home when we travel abroad, always good service.
Calgary to Canmore
| Ticket | One Way | Return |
| Adult | $76.99 | $153.98 |
| Senior (65+) | $69.49 | $138.58 |
| Child (6-17) | $38.49 | $76.99 |
| Kid Under 5 | Free | Free |
Calgary to Banff
| Ticket | One Way | Return |
| Adult | $79.99 | $159.98 |
| Senior (65+) | $71.99 | $143.98 |
| Child (6-17) | $39.99 | $79.98 |
| Kid Under 5 | Free | Free |
Brewster Express
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. Brewster, the transportation company, operates group tour buses that deliver guests to all the park’s major sights. Even if you opt for another transport option, one of their tours may be a great option to explore the park.
Brewster Express operates only in the summer, connecting Calgary with Kananaskis, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. You have a greater selection of pick-up and drop-off points with the Brewster Express. Most notable is the regular service to Lake Louise and the once-a-day shuttle to Jasper from the Calgary Airport. They also offer a shuttle service with hotel pickups in the Calgary city center.
This is an excellent option if you have time to explore Calgary, which you should do in the summer months. There are some great things to do in Calgary if you time your visit during the Calgary Stampede, or you can enjoy some fine dining or check out Studio Bell. They also offer a winter service that connects the ski resorts to the town of Banff, but no service for Calgary to Banff.
The bus service also allows you to purchase point-to-point tickets. You can hop on a shuttle bus from Canmore to Lake Louise or Banff to Jasper.
Calgary to Banff
| Ticket | One Way | Return |
| Adult | $81 | $137 |
| Children | $54 | $92 |
Calgary to Lake Louise
| Ticket | One Way | Return |
| Adult | $122 | $244 |
| Child | $50 | $85 |
Discover Banff Tours
Discover Banff Tours runs shuttles between Banff, Canmore, Downtown Calgary, and the Calgary Airport. These coach cars run daily and start at $78 a person. This shuttle service offers pickups from select Lake Louise locations, including the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and most hotels in Banff. They offer pick-ups and drop-offs in Canmore at the Coast Hotel only and will drop off in Calgary at either YYC or a selection of Downtown hotels.
Mountain Park Transport
Mountain Park Transport is a popular tour company in the Rockies. They run shuttles to Banff in the winter and summer from YYC to Banff or Lake Louise. Their prices start at $85 per person.
On-It Public Bus
This is only available in the summer, but it is a public bus route that can get you from Calgary to Banff. 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 shuttle buses, and there is no ample luggage storage in the back, but it costs less than $15! The bus also operates only on weekends.
It’s designed more so that Calgarians can take public transport to the park and vice versa, as it doesn’t leave from 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.
The weekend buses sell out quickly, so book your tickets well in advance if possible. The Buses depart from Downtown Calgary, Bridlewood / Somerset LRT, and the Crowfoot LRT Station. They stop in Banff at the Corner of Elk Street and Banff Ave and Canmore at the Benchlands and Bow Valley Trail.
New! On-It riders can connect with Local Roam Transit Routes 1, 2, 4, and 6 for free, which can get you to the Banff Upper Hot Springs and the Banff Gondola (Route 1), Bow Falls (Route 2), the Cave & Basin (Route 4), and Johnson Lake, and Lake Minnewanka (Route 6).
Also New – On-It Also offers bus routes that go between Calgary and Lake Louise and Moraine Lake during the summer. From June 14, 2024 – September 2, 2024, their schedule runs from Calgary to Lake Louise, and from September 6, 2024 – October 14, 2024, they are offering buses to Moraine Lake. Tickets are less than $20 per person and only run on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Banff Express
The Banff Express offers great value fares to Banff and Canmore. Buses leave from Calgary Eau Claire Market (Good Earth Coffeehouse), Calgary – Foothills Hospital McCaig Tower (West Entrance), and the HI Calgary City Centre Hostel.
Passengers are dropped off at the Banff – Heritage Train Station in Banff or the Canmore – Visitor Information Centre. Drop-off at your hotel or home is available in Banff; you just have to ask your driver. Compared to the airport options, The Banff Express is pretty affordable And charges the following one-way fares:
| Banff – Calgary | Canmore – Calgary | |
| Adults: | $40 | $35 |
| Children (12 and Under): | $22 | $22 |
Vivo Public Bus
The Vivo Shared Bus, a small-group shuttle bus between Calgary and Canmore or Banff, is slightly cheaper than some options listed here. Drop-off options include the Solara or Northwinds in Canmore or the Mount Royal in Banff. Prices start at $50 per person.
Flixbus
New is the option to book the Flixbus from Downtown Calgary to Banff. 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. Every time we ride Flixbus, we’re reminded of how comfortable the seats are!
By Private Transfer
If you’re not looking to drive but prefer more flexibility, consider a private transfer from Calgary. You can leave at any time or from any address in Calgary. There is a wide range of options for vehicles that range from taxis to charter buses and luxury sedans. You can also choose your destination anywhere in the region. Rates vary naturally.
A taxi charges a flat rate of $250 as mandated by the government of Alberta. The local Calgary taxi companies include:
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 (they also run shared shuttles!)
While Banff Sedan offers several luxury vehicles you can book, they are slightly higher priced. If you’re a large group, these services can work out cheaper in the long run or be similarly priced to the shuttle bus service with the added bonus of your own schedule. For example, a 10-person sprinter van costs $803.31 for a private transfer and $799.90 for the Banff Airporter.
Banff Sedan Rates (YYC to Banff/Canmore)
| Luxury Sedan (3 pax) | Cadillac Escalade (5 pax) | Sprinter (7-10 pax) | Coach (24 pax) |
| $476.19 | $496.90 | $803.31 | $1,138.72 |
Other Private Transfer Companies
- Banff Transportation Group: This popular transportation group will take you between the city and Banff or vice versa.
- Banff Private Charters: This is a good option for a large group, like a wedding party, as they cater to up to 24 people.
- Limo To Go: If you want to arrive in Banff in style, be it a luxury dean, luxury SUV, or even a limo Limo to Go has you covered.
Get a Rental Car and Drive Yourself
Self-driving is easy peasy! Renting a car or driving your own vehicle is one of the best ways to explore Banff and provides many advantages over public transport. There’s no need for a shuttle with this option! A vehicle allows you to avoid crowds, make up your own schedule, and explore all of the various parts of Banff. If you plan to do a lot of hiking, you will need your own rental car.
Of course, if you don’t want to drive, you can book tours or use public transport around the park. If you have plans to visit the most popular sites, it might make more sense to use tours and public transport. Parking at sights like Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, and Moraine Lake can be far more difficult than a public option, and there are public transport options to get to these places. However, anything, even vaguely off the beaten path, will require your own set of wheels.
All major car rental companies operate at Calgary International Airport with a large fleet of options. You do not need a truck or SUV in the summer months, and it’s questionable in the shoulder seasons when snowy roads are infrequent. If you are on a budget, renting a car from the Calgary city center rather than the airport may be worth it, as prices are typically $50-$100 cheaper.
Visiting Banff in Winter
If you plan to visit Banff in the winter, it’s imperative you rent a car with winter tires on it. If you visit between November and April, you should get a car with winter tires. Inform your rental car company you are driving to Banff, and they should know what to do. Keep in mind that just because you are renting a car in the winter does not mean it automatically comes with the proper tires.
If you plan on driving on the Icefields Parkway, winter tires are necessary for the winter. Snow tires or chains are required by law for travel on Hwy #93N / Icefields Parkway) and Hwy #93S / Banff-Windermere Highway (Banff and Kootenay National Parks) between November 1 and March 31.
Canadian Rockies Car Rental Resources
- Our guide for everything you need to know about renting a car for Banff.
- Travel Alberta: For road laws and driving guidelines
- 5.11 Alberta: For up to date road conditions
- Bow Valley Road Conditions Facebook Group: For pictures and first-hand info about the roads. Especially handy in the winter.
- Rentalcars.com and Expedia: We use these platforms to book rental cars around the world.
- Outdoorsy: Go the campervan route and have your kitchen, wheels, and hotel all in one!
Unconventional Options
- There is no train connecting Calgary and Banff, but there are talks of it happening in the future.
- There’s always Uber. However, I wouldn’t rely on this service as many drivers will require a return fare to justify the drive and cost of taking you to Banff.
- Like BlaBlaCar in Europe, Poparide is a rideshare company where you can find drivers already driving between Calgary and Banff. Prices vary, but typically, it’s not much more than the fuel cost.
- Plenty of Bow Valley Facebook groups with drivers and passengers often seek others to ride with. Of course, this is a riskier option, and I wouldn’t recommend it to most visitors, as it might ruin your plans, though Canada is very safe. However, it is an option if you are on an extreme budget.
- Hitchhiking is not common between this route, and you will likely be waiting a while to find a ride by hitchhiking between Calgary and Banff.
- Turo is like Airbnb for cars. If you can’t find great car rental prices or options, check out Turo.
Local Transport While in Banff
Once you arrive in Banff, you can do anything around the town, car-free. You are not required to rent a car to get around Banff; however, it gives you significant freedom. There are even hikes from the town center, like Tunnel Mountain and Sulphur Mountain, and even more hikes around Lake Louise.
Our Guide on How to Visit Banff Without a Car
Public Transport in the Bow Valley
Although the towns of Banff and Canmore are not the typical size you’d expect to find an extensive public transport network, Roam Transit serves the area reliably. Most of the major sites are covered, especially during the summer.
You can get around quite easily from Lake Minnewanka to Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise, and the Banff Gondola. You can buy your fare individually, multiple fares at once, or a daily/monthly card. Fares are pretty affordable, too, with local routes starting at just $2.
Shuttle Buses in Banff
It may be best to check out the Brewster Express that connects Kananaskis, Canmore, Calgary, Lake Louise, and Jasper for transfers with luggage. You can book individual legs for easy hotel transfers between Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise.
Booked Tour in Banff
Several tour providers will pick you up and take you to all the hotspots in Banff. You can book private tours, large group tours, or unique experiences like dog-sledding or white water rafting. Going on a tour offers more than just transport as you gain a knowledgeable guide who can share facts and history about the park’s natural wonders. This awesome tour leaves Calgary and is a great day tour option. It takes guests to Banff highlights like Bow Falls, Johnston Canyon Walk, and the Hoodoos.
Booking a tour means you don’t need a car to visit Banff. Discover Banff Tours and the Pursuit are two of the biggest operators in the region, but there are many different operators, so shop around for the tour that best suits you. You can see our recommended tours in Banff here.
Other Options for Getting Around Banff
- Taxi: There are only a handful of taxis in Banff, and they are not the cheapest option, but they are there if you need them!
- By Bike: In the summer, I get almost everywhere by bike. I love riding my bike from Banff to Canmore and vice versa. It’s a fantastic and active way to explore the park on a sunny day. If you are driving from home, I highly recommend bringing bikes to explore the park. Banff Adventures also rents mountain bikes and cruisers during the summer. Bike rentals include a helmet, lock, and trail map.
- Banff Parking: Parking in Banff can be challenging during peak summer months. A few free lots are around town, but most are paid parking now. Check out the Banff parking website to see where it is available.
Entering Banff National Park
Anyone visiting Banff National Park will need a Parks Canada pass for their visiting days. The Parks entrance gate to Banff is right after you pass Canmore. Driving from Calgary to Banff, you can expect to find the gates around the 120.0 km mark.
You’ll see cars driving past the gates on the right, but either they already have a pass or are just driving through and not planning on stopping in Banff. Visitors who don’t have their pass or have not pre-purchased online must stop at the gates to purchase their pass.
Parks Canada employees check if you have your pass, and you can get a ticket. The lineup to purchase a Parks Canada pass at these gates can get long on a nice summer day, so I recommend purchasing in advance. Parks Canada pass prices are as follows:
- Adult: $11.00
- Senior: $9.50
- Youth (up to 17): Free
- Family/group of 7 people: $22.00
- Day passes expire at 4 pm the following day.
Or you can buy them from Parks Canada in advance online. If you’re staying in Banff for over a few days, I highly recommend a Discovery Pass. A Parks Canada Discovery Pass, which gets you entrance to all Parks Canada destinations for the year, is only $151.25 for a family. Again, day passes are $11 per person, so depending on how many days you are staying and if you have plans to go to Banff, you may want to consider the Discovery Pass.
Pass fees are as follows:
- Adult: $75.25
- Senior: $64.50
- Family: $151.25
Where to Stop Between Calgary and Banff
Most of the fun happens once you get to the mountains, but there are a few fun things to do between Calgary and Banff!
- Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary: Interact with wolves in a controlled environment.
- Bowness Park: A beautiful park to stop in as you leave Calgary.
- Barrier Lake: Barrier Lake is a beautiful lake in Kananaskis, not far from the TransCanada. It’s a bit of a detour, but if you are looking for somewhere to stop for lunch, it’s a stunning setting.
- Lac Des Arcs: Wonderful lake on the right-hand side of the road when driving from Calgary to Banff.
You Have Made it to Banff!
Do a little dance because you are in one of the prettiest places in the world! There are many things to do, restaurants to eat at, and places to stay.
Things to do in Banff
- Hike Tunnel Mountain: One of my favorite easy hikes in Banff is Tunnel Mountain. It’s easily accessible from Banff Ave and a great intro hike to the Rockies.
- Take the Banff Gondola Up Sulphur Mountain: A classic thing to do in Banff. You won’t get such beautiful views for the low effort anywhere else.
- Check Out Bow Falls: An easy walk from Downtown will lead you to Bow Falls. A beautiful waterfall near the Banff Springs Hotel.
The Best Restaurants in Banff
- Bear Street Tavern: Great pizza, awesome beer, and good vibes. A fantastic and affordable place for lunch.
- The Waldhaus Restaurant: In the summer, few places have as amazing views as here. It overlooks the Banff Springs golf course and dishes up German fare and beer.
- The Bison: Save this modern restaurant for date night. It has great food, cocktails, and views.
Where to Stay in Banff
- Elk+Ave Hotel: Mid-range to higher-end hotel located right in the center of the action on Banff Ave.
- Castle Mountain Chalets: Unique cabins away from Downtown Banff near Castle Mountain along the Bow Valley Parkway. You’ll need your car to stay here, but it’s worth it!
- Banff Springs Hotel: One of the most iconic hotels in Canada. This castle has the most mesmerizing views in the valley. It’s a splurge, but you’re guaranteed to love it.
Hopefully, this helped you determine how to get from Calgary to Banff efficiently. If you have any other questions leave a comment or see our Canadian Rockies travel guide for more articles about photography spots, lakes, hikes, and everything else.
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Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- Recommended Experiences: There are many things to do in the Rockies, but our top recommendations include the Banff Gondola and a cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island in Jasper. If you want a stress-free way to get to Moraine Lake, we highly recommend looking into Moraine Lake Bus Company.
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get to Banff or Canmore Without a Car: The Banff Airporter provides fantastic service connecting you from the Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Banff or Canmore.
- 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.
- Cheaper Airfare: We also use Going for airfare deals and travel credit cards to earn points on purchases. Those credit card points can be redeemed for free flights and hotels! Our favorite cards is the Capital One Venture X (which has an insane welcome bonus right now) as it has no foreign transaction fees.
- Hop On, Hop Off: This tour is taking Banff by storm. It’s exactly what it sounds like, hop on and off a bus to visit all the best attractions at your own pace!
Hey guys,
I’ve been soaking up everything this blog has to offer for the past couple days as I plan a couples trip to Lake Louise. 2 questions that I was hoping you could help me with (will likely have more in the future): 1. Are any of these shuttle options going to take me from Calgary to Lake Louise in March? Looks like Brewster Express is the only explicit option, but sounds like it’s seasonable. 2. Unrelated, but interested in your opinion of beginner/novice ski opportunities around Lake Louise in March. Thank you for such amazing content!
Hey Dan,
Glad you’ve enjoyed it! Yes, Brewster is the only option in the winter. You could theoretically take the Banff Airporter to Banff and then the public bus to Lake Louise, but that could be a bit of a pain. If you’re looking to ski, you can always stay in Banff and take the free shuttle bus daily that the ski resort operates. We think all of the resorts in Banff are great for beginners as they have beautiful views and plenty of beginner runs.
Hope you have a fantastic trip!
Best,
Cameron