How to Get From Banff to Moraine Lake
The distance between Banff and Moraine doesn’t look far on a map. However, when planning your trip to the most famous lake in Canada, knowing there’s a bit more to getting there than hopping in the car and hitting the highway is essential.
Whether by public transport, tour, or Parks Canada shuttles, we’ll break down all the best options for getting from Banff to Moraine Lake.
How Long Does it Take to Get From Banff to Moraine Lake?
If you plug Downtown Banff to Moraine Lake into the GPS it will tell you it takes about one hour to get there. However, GPS does not account for the fact that personal vehicles can no longer drive up Moraine Lake Road and to Moraine Lake unless they have a handicap tag.
If you are taking a car, know that you’ll have to park it at the Lake Louise Ski Resort to hop on the Parks Canada shuttles or various tour operators, meaning that with all the checking-in and transfer time, it might actually take you close to 1.5-2 hours to get to Moraine Lake.
The fastest way to get from Banff to Moraine Lake is with a private tour, which picks most passengers up in Banff and goes right to Moraine Lake or Lake Louise – depending on your booking.
How Do You Get From Banff to Moraine Lake?
By Car
Private vehicles may no longer drive to Moraine Lake. The only exception is if you have a valid handicap placard. Those with a car and looking to drive should look into the Parks Canada Moraine Lake shuttle, which must be pre-reserved on the Parks Canada Reservation Page.
With a Parks Canada shuttle reservation, visitors should drive to the Lake Louise Ski Resort/Summer Gondola, where the Parks Canada shuttles to Moraine Lake leave from. There is free and ample parking at the Park & Ride. The Parks Canada shuttles have been covered extensively on our blog, click the button to learn about them.
Park And Ride Shuttle Fairs (Return Trip)
(prices listed in CAD)
- Adults: $8
- Seniors (65+): $4
- Youth (17 and under): Free
- *When purchasing shuttle tickets on the Parks Canada Reservation System, there is a $3 non-refundable transaction fee per reservation.
- It’s important to note that these fees are in addition to your National Parks entry fee.
The 2024 Reservation Launch date for Lake Louise shuttle reservations is April 18, 2024, at 08:00 a.m. MDT. 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., 48 hours 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.
A few private operators, such as the Moraine Lake Bus Company and Wow Banff, also run to Moraine Lake from the Lake Louise Park & Ride.
You can also book a shuttle with Fairview Limo, which runs shuttles throughout all hours of the day to Moraine Lake. Their shuttles leave from the Lake Louise Inn, where you can park your vehicle with a Fairview Limo reservation.
By Public Transport
Roam Transit is our public transport service in the Bow Valley. It does not run directly to Moraine Lake most of the year, except for the fall season between September 16th – October 14th, 2024. During this time you can catch the Roam Route 10: Moraine Lake Express from Banff to Moraine Lake.
The Roam Transit Route 8x runs daily from Banff to Lake Louise Lakeshore, not all the way to Moraine Lake. The cost is $10 per adult; reservations are recommended. However, you can walk- up to the fare boxes. Roam buses accept US and Canadian currency as small as a nickel and up to $20. Children 12 and under are free but still require a reservation.
You can book the Roam Bus to Lake Louise and continue on to Moraine Lake by hopping on the Parks Canada Lake Connector. Details on the Super Pass are below.
Roam Super Pass
During the 2024 summer season, the Roam Transit Reservable Super Pass provides all route access for one day. For $25, this One Day Reservable Super Pass allows unlimited travel on all Roam routes, including Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise. Additionally, it is the sole fare option granting access to the Parks Canada – Lake Connector Shuttle between Lake Louise Lakeshore and Moraine Lake.
The Reservable Super Pass must be pre-purchased exclusively online at Roam Transit. Show your valid Roam Reservable Super Pass to Parks Canada staff at the Lake Louise Lakeshore or Moraine Lake to receive your Parks Canada boarding pass.
By Tour
One of the best ways to get from Banff to Moraine Lake is to book an organized tour that will connect you. Tour operators have access to drive and park at Moraine Lake and often provide not only transport but also a guided tour of the area.
Radventures is one of our favorite tour operators and offers small group (max 14 guests) guided tours. The tours start and end with hotel pick-up in Banff, with local interpretation and an amazing guide on hand to answer questions. Enjoy complimentary hot drinks, see the best spots at Moraine Lake to view the sunrise, and get set up for sunrise photos (as their guiding team has photography training).
After guests can get an optional hot cafe breakfast at Trailhead Cafe, before heading to Lake Louise, you get front-of-the-line access to canoe rentals (something unique to only a Radventures tour). Book that tour here.
Not much of a sunrise person? They also run a Golden Hour tour to Moraine Lake in the evening. This tour sees far fewer people and ends with a relaxing drive back to Banff on the Bow Valley Parkway, where you will search for wildlife.
Discover Banff Tours runs a very popular tour that picks up in Banff and brings visitors to both lakes. This tour lasts 4 hours and gives visitors one hour at each lake.
Explore Banff runs sunrise and daytime tours with pick-up and drop-off at select locations in Banff and Canmore. This tour departs at a pre-determined time based on the timing of the sunrise (between 3:45 a.m. and 6:15 a.m.) and is 7 hours long. Snacks and a guide are included, and you may even get a bonus surprise stop on the way back to your hotel!
Want to leave from Canmore? This tour operates sunrise shuttles, leaving as early as 2:30am (so don’t plan on sleeping)! Parties are limited to 14 individuals, fostering a familial atmosphere throughout the journey. The tour includes hot chocolate, tea, or coffee as you wait for the enchanting sunrise at Moraine Lake. Following sunrise at Moraine Lake, you’ll head to Lake Louise before the crowds arrive, immersing in the extraordinary ambiance of the early morning light. You can also take advantage of renting a canoe during your ample time here (optional).
Other Moraine Lake Tours Include:
- WowBanff: Operates an open-top shuttle to both Moraine and Lake Louise, but this leaves from the Lake Louise Summer Gondola.
The Banff Hop On Hop Off Bus has become quite popular recently. It is exactly what it sounds like—a bus that lets you hop on and off when you want! The bus starts in Downtown Banff and makes multiple stops, such as Johnston Canyon, the Lake Louise Gondola, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake. We recommend utilizing your time to enjoy some of the amazing Lake Louise hikes, like the Plain of Six Glaciers or Lake Agnes.
Buses depart seven days a week from either the Moose Hotel and Suites on Banff Avenue or The Banff Heritage Train Station. Just note that the later you depart, the fewer places you can explore. The buses come back to Banff at 4:55 PM and 6:00 PM.
By Private Shuttle Bus from Banff or Canmore
Via Via is a new shuttle company in town that operates sunrise shuttles from Canmore and Banff. This is not a tour but a shuttle that will transport you to Moraine Lake at sunrise. Not up for waking up at 3am? They also offer Moraine Lake and Lake Louise combo tours throughout the day.
Their prices are quite competitive, starting at $99 for a sunrise shuttle, and fluctuate from there based on time and day of the week. This is a great option if you want flexibility for hiking or canoeing at Moraine Lake.
What to Do Once at Moraine Lake
Once you arrive at Moraine Lake, there are so many things to do. Most people will head to either the lakeshore or climb up the Rockpile Trail for a killer view. We recommend not stopping there, as there are plenty of hikes in the area, or you can enjoy Moraine Lake from the water.
- Hike to Consolation Lakes: A 7km return trip from Moraine Lake will bring you to more stunning lakes in the Rockies. Consolation Lakes is a great hike to break away from the crowds of Moraine Lake.
- Canoe on Moraine Lake: One of the best ways to experience the serenity of Moraine Lake is to canoe on it. Canoe rentals are operated by the Moraine Lake Lodge on a first come, first served basis. Rates are high, but to paddle in the most beautiful place on earth is worth it.
- Hike Larch Valley: If you are up for a hike, the best one in the area is the hike through Larch Valley. Combine it with Sentinel Pass during the larch season, and you are really in for a treat.
- Scramble up Tower of Babel: A great scramble above Moraine Lake is the Tower of Babel. It’s steep, but it’s short! Bring a helmet for this one, as there are lots of loose rocks.
Combine Moraine Lake with Lake Louise
If you’re heading to Moraine Lake you might as well get to Lake Louise too! Nearly every tour runs to both Moraine Lake AND Lake Louise, and if you have booked the Parks Canada shuttle, the best way to get between the two lakes is the Lake Connector Shuttle. The Connector Shuttle is included in your Parks Canada shuttle reservation. This option is for shuttle reservation holders only.
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 Lake Minnewanka (here’s a combo tour with both!). If you want a stress-free way to get to Moraine Lake, we highly recommend looking into Moraine Lake Bus Company. For a full day tour, we can’t recommend Radventures Best of Banff Tour enough!
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get Hiking: If hiking we highly recommend you download offline maps with AllTrails+ to always know your location, preview trails to plan ahead, and find trails that fit your schedule. Get wrong-turn alerts and advanced trail conditions to enjoy your hike with less stress and more preparation.
- 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.
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