How to Get to Banff: Self Drive, Shuttle, or Bus
Being surrounded by colossal peaks, you may think that getting to Banff will be a tough endeavor. However, this famous mountain town is actually situated just off the Trans-Canada Highway. It can be reached in under an hour and a half from Alberta’s largest airport! Here is how we recommend getting to Banff.
Fly Into Calgary
The closest airport to Banff is Calgary International Airport (YYC). Most of this article takes into account a start at YYC or Downtown Calgary. There is no commercial airport in Banff. Many major airlines fly into Calgary, with WestJet and Air Canada being the two most common.
Rent a Car
The most popular option for visitors is to rent a car at the airport and drive to Banff. There are numerous rental car agencies available at Calgary International Airport, including Enterprise, Budget, and Dollar.
It takes approximately 1.5 hours to travel from YYC to Downtown Banff without making any stops. Most hotels in Banff offer free parking for their guests. Having a car gives you the freedom to get around the park on your own time! We recommend searching for rental cars on Discover Cars.
How to Get to Banff Without a Car
Airport Shuttle to Banff (and Beyond)
Several companies offer private shuttle bus transfers right from the Calgary International Airport. These bus companies run on a schedule with multiple departures from the airport to Canmore and 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: Easily the most popular shuttle in Banff and Canmore. The Banff Airporter provides a comfortable ride that transports you directly from the airport to either Canmore or Banff. If you have a drop-off in Canmore, the bus will drop you at the Coast Hotel near Downtown. If you stay in Banff, they offer drop-offs at most hotels.
- Brewster Express: Runs from the airport and multiple locations around Calgary to Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, the Columbia Icefield Centre, and even to Jasper. They offer the best public option in the valley to get you beyond Banff!
- Mountain Park Transport is a popular tour company in the Rockies. They run shuttles from YYC to Banff and Lake Louise in both the winter and summer.
Public Bus
- On-It is a regional transit company that connects the towns of Banff and Canmore to Downtown Calgary during the summer weekends only. The bus is not as luxurious as shuttle buses, and there is no ample luggage storage in the back, but at under $15, it is an economical option! It’s designed primarily for Calgarians to use public transportation to access the park and vice versa, as it doesn’t depart from the airport. Once in Banff On-It riders can connect with Local Roam Transit Routes 1, 2, 4, and 6 for free. On-It tickets often sell out, so we recommend purchasing tickets online in advance.
- Flixbus is another bus option that also leaves from Downtown Calgary and travels to Banff and Canmore. There are multiple daily departures, and the bus ride takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. Rates start at $15, which is an absolute steal. Buses have free WiFi and outlets.
Getting Around Without a Vehicle
It’s possible to get around Banff without a car by utilizing Roam Transit and the various shuttles offered.
Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- We now have an interactive map! With over 300 stops around the Canadian Rockies, our personal map is your one stop shop to an epic trip here.
- Recommended Experiences: There are many things to do in the Rockies, but our top recommendation is the Banff Gondola – a must do experience! Want to get up close and personal with a glacier? We cannot recommend this Icewalks tour enough!
- Planning your visit to Moraine Lake and don’t want to deal with the Parks shuttles? We recommend using Moraine Lake Bus Company or booking with ViaVia (these leave from Banff/Canmore).
- 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 Discover Car. 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 hop on a 1 on 1 phone call, and PERSONALLY go over your itinerary, and will save you money with our personal recommendations. Calls are followed up with detailed trip notes afterward that I personally write myself. See our services here.
New in 2025! We just released our local guide to the Canadian Rockies! Discover 300+ hidden gems, hikes, and cabins not found in your typical guidebook. We’re offering a 10% off intro offer using code BLOG10 at checkout!
