How to Book Shuttles on the Parks Canada Reservation System

Even as a local, I find the Parks Canada reservation site confusing and sometimes still struggle with it. After years of dealing with it, I know how hard it can be for first-time users to navigate. Throw in the stress of trying to get a shuttle reservation to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, and I know it can make you want to pull your hair out on launch mornings. Let’s go over how to book your shuttles to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, step by step.

About the Parks Canada shuttles to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise

It may or may not be common knowledge to you that you cannot drive to Moraine Lake anymore and that parking at Lake Louise is extremely limited. One of the easiest (and certainly the cheapest) ways to see the lakes is with the Parks Canada shuttles. I want to keep this relatively short, and shuttles are covered extensively on this blog, so if you’d like more information on these shuttles, see below.

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Shuttle Reservation Launch Dates

The 2026 Reservation Launch date for shuttle reservations is April 15 at 08:00 a.m. MDT. Shuttle reservations on the Parks Canada shuttles get you access to Lake Louise AND Moraine Lake via the Lake Connector Shuttle. One reservation gets you access to BOTH LAKES.

Reservations for 40% of the operating season will open during this time.The remaining 60% will be released on a rolling window at 8:00 a.m., two days before departure throughout the season. The shuttle service to the lakes operates every 30 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and the last return bus departs from the lakes to the parking lot at 7:30 p.m. The Alpine Start shuttles run at 4 and 5 am.

Remember that shuttles to Moraine Lake begin on June 1st and shuttles to Lake Louise begin on May 15th.

Booking Shuttle Reservations on the Parks Canada Website

Reservations are required for the shuttles to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise and should be made in advance either online or by calling 1-877-737-3783. It is cheaper to book online as there’s a $6 fee if you book by phone and only $3 if you book online. As stressful as booking online can be come April 15th, and every other morning in the summer, it can even be more of a headache to call and try and book by phone – trust me.

Pre Step Checklist ✅

• Log in to your Parks Canada reservation account before 8am. We recommend 7:30 am MDT. Those logged in will be placed randomly in a queue at 8am. Logging on earlier does not move you to the front of the queue.
• If you log in after 8am, you will be placed at the back of the queue.
• Use a computer if you can – the mobile experience under pressure will be frustrating.
• Make sure you’re in a place with a stable internet connection.
  

Step One

When you reach the reservations page, select ‘Day Use’ from the heading bar. It’s all the way to the right of the screen (you might have to hit the scroll arrow on the side, depending on your screen size).

Step Two

Select the ‘Shuttle to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake’ option on the left.

In the ‘Park’ box select Banff-Lake Louise, then your date and the number of people in your party. Hit ‘Search’. Remember that shuttles to Moraine Lake begin on June 1st and shuttles to Lake Louise begin on May 15, so you won’t be able to book anything before these dates.

Step Three

A list with of times by the hour is displayed. If the dot is red, there are no shuttle reservations available; try another day/time. If it’s green, select the Shuttle dot and it will bring up the times available for that day to either Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. If it’s green and says available, it is still available. On the right of the screen, continue through by clicking reserve.

Once Moraine Lake Road (June 1st) opens for the season, one ticket gives you access to BOTH lakes on the same day, using the Lake Connector shuttle (included in reservation)

Sometimes I find it easier to select the “List” view

Step Four

Click through. Available slots will be marked in green; if it’s not available, you’ll see a red circle. Click “reserve” and continue following the instructions to verify and complete your registration. You’ll be taken to a checkout and payment page.

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Helpful Tips to Maximize Effectiveness

• Create Your Parks Canada Account Early: Reservation day can be hectic, so set up your login beforehand.
• Know Where to Go: It’s best to familiarize yourself with the booking site a few days in advance so you’re not confused at the last minute.
• Flexibility is Key: Of course, it’s great to have a plan, but if you have more flexibility with your date and times, it will help secure a reservation faster.
• The More the Better: If you are traveling with a group, having multiple parties on separate devices helps your chances of scoring tickets.
• Remember: Whether you book the shuttle to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, know that your shuttle ticket gets you to BOTH LAKES via the Lake Connector shuttle (which is free for shuttle reservation holders).
• Your ticket gets you access to hop back on the shuttle back to your car at the end of your day!

If you don’t get tickets, you can always sign up for a service like Schnerp that will notify you in case of last-minute cancellations.

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Have a Backup Plan

If you cannot book the date you want on the shuttle, we recommend having a back up plan. Here are some options.

• Option 1: Remember that Parks Canada has only released 40% of reservations. The remaining 60% will be released at 8 am MDT, two days before your intended departure date throughout the season.
• Option 2: You can still go to the Lake Louise Park and Ride Parking Lots and hope there is space on the shuttle. If there is, the Parks Canada staff will try and assist you. This option isn’t super popular or recommended, as the shuttles do sell out.
• Option 3: Get a Roam Super Pass from Roam Transit. Roam Transit Route 8X is for those traveling from Downtown Banff. Hop on the bus there, it will take you to Lake Louise. The Super Pass gets you access to the Lake Connector shuttle to Moraine Lake.
• Option 4: Book a guided Moraine Lake Tour. This is great for those who want a guided experience and don’t want to think about logistics. Tours depart from Banff and Lake Louise, depending on which you book.
• Option 5: Book the Moraine Lake Bus Company, a flexible way to get to and from Moraine Lake or Lake Louise without reserving on Parks Canada or dealing with lines. This also guarantees you will get to the lakes, hassle-free and spend as long as you want at Moraine Lake. They also run sunrise shuttles, in case you miss the Alpine Start Shuttle reservations. Other operators that run shuttles are Fairview Limo, the Banff Hop On Hop Off Bus, and Via Via Bus who run from Banff/Canmore.
• Option 6: Hike or bike to Moraine Lake or Lake Louise. You can rent bikes at Wilson Sports in Lake Louise Village or at the Lake Louise Summer Gondola. Bike rental reservations are highly recommended in the summer.
• Option 7: Book a night at the Moraine Lake Lodge or the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Guests of Moraine Lake Lodge are permitted to drive to Moraine Lake, while guests of the Fairmont get to stay right on Lake Louise. Guests of the Chateau are able to book a private bus run by the Fairmont to Moraine Lake.
• Option 8: Make alternative plans and try for a different day.
• Option 9: The Route 8X: Lake Louise Express from Banff operates daily to Lake Louise in the summer. You must reserve tickets on this bus and they do sell out. This does not get you to Moraine Lake. Roam Transit does not run to Moraine Lake.
• Option 10: Although you can’t drive to Moraine Lake, you can still drive to Lake Louise by car after 7 or 8 pm; typically, you can find parking in the summer after these times. Though this isn’t ideal for those wanting to hike, it does allow you to see a spectacular sunset.

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Is it possible to purchase walk-up shuttle tickets?

If space is available, Parks Canada staff at the Lake Louise Park and Ride can assist you in reserving the next available time slot that day if you show up to the Park and Ride lot without a reservation.

However, booking in advance is highly recommended, as Lake Louise shuttles generally sell out, and those without reservations are usually turned away. If you arrive to the Lake Louise Park & Ride without reservations and unable to purchase walk up seats, it’s best to book with the Moraine Lake Bus Company next.