Understanding The Lake Louise Shuttle in 2024

If you are a first-time visitor to Banff, chances are you have Lake Louise on your list. Over the years, there have been many changes in how we access some of the most popular places in the park, including paid lots and shuttle systems.

The Lake Louise shuttle system undergoes some changes every year, but we still believe it is the best way to guarantee you see beautiful Lake Louise in the summer. Let’s explore all the specifics of how to utilize the Lake Louise shuttle.

All About the Lake Louise Shuttle

Can You Park at Lake Louise?

Unlike Moraine Lake, visitors can still park at Lake Louise. However, finding a parking spot can be challenging from June to October, and to relieve the stress of parking at Lake Louise Lakeshore, Parks Canada has implemented a Lake Louise shuttle.

Visitors usually arrive well before 7:00 a.m. to secure a spot during the summer. This requires quite an early rise if coming from Banff or Canmore. Parking at Lake Louise is rarely an issue during the shoulder season or winter. Parking at Lake Louise is not free, and paid parking is present from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m. between May 17 and October 14, 2024.

The parking fee is $36.75 per vehicle per day and $8 if you have a handicapped placard. You will also need a valid Parks Canada Pass for all National Parks in Canada. Parking overnight at Lake Louise is not allowed.

When Does the Parking Area Fill Up?

During the high season, which runs from the end of May until the end of larch season (around the first week of October), you can expect the Lake Louise parking area to fill up well before 8 am, even earlier on weekends and holidays.

Once the lot is full, parking attendants will step in to direct traffic and turn away vehicles to Lake Louise. You’ll want a backup plan if you don’t get parking at Lake Louise.

Some of our suggested backup plans include the following:

• Try your luck at the Park and Ride Lot and get on the Lake Louise shuttle without reservation. If there is space available, Parks Canada will try to accommodate you. Tickets typically sell out before 9 a.m. on the day of departure.
• Book a Parks Canada shuttle reservation online if they are available. There is cell service around Lake Louise to try to do this.
• Book last-minute tickets with a private operator like Moraine Lake Bus Company, Fairview Limo, or WowBanff.
• Drive the Icefields Parkway to Bow Lake or Peyto Lake, two gorgeous blue lakes in Banff.
• Drive the Bow Valley Parkway and stop at Morants Curve.
• Head to Emerald Lake and Tak Falls. For a long day hike, check out the epic Iceline Trail.
• Take a ridge up the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola for incredible views of the Bow Valley.

Is the Road to Lake Louise Open?

Lake Louise Drive is open year-round.

When Does Lake Louise Thaw?

Lake Louise is typically frozen solid from November to late May, but every year is different in the Rockies. It typically begins to thaw in late May, and you’ll be able to see Lake Louise in all her blue glory by the first or second week of June.

All About the Lake Louise Shuttle

Parking at Lake Louise has become a growing concern year after year, and finding a spot without waking up at the crack of dawn can be challenging for visitors in the summer.

For visitors who want to see Lake Louise in the summer without the hassle of parking or paying for an expensive tour, the best option is to take advantage of the Lake Louise Shuttle. The Lake Louise shuttle is an excellent option for any park visitor with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on their Banff itinerary.

This convenient service ensures that visitors can enjoy Lake Louise and nearby Moraine Lake while avoiding the stresses of finding a parking spot. It also reduces congestion and emissions, making it an excellent environmental choice. It’s highly recommended you book shuttle reservations in advance, as Lake Louise is easily the most popular place to visit in Banff.

When Do Shuttle Reservations Open for Lake Louise?

The 2024 Reservation Launch date for Lake Louise shuttle reservations is April 18, 2024, at 08:00 a.m. MDT. Shuttle reservations on the Parks Canada Lake Louise shuttle also get you access to Moraine Lake via the Lake Connector Shuttle.

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.

Parks Canada changes these times slightly throughout the season. We try to keep this article as updated as possible, but it’s always important to check the last bus time.

What Are the Lake Louise Shuttle Times?

The Lake Louise Shuttle will run from May 17 to October 14, 2024, every 30 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The last return shuttle from Lake Louise to the Park and Ride Lot will be at 7:30 p.m. Keep in mind that this is different from the Moraine Lake Shuttle, which begins operations on June 1st. It’s not possible to access Moraine Lake via vehicle before June 1st.

Where is the Parking and Departure Point for the Shuttle?

To park for the Lake Louise shuttle, you must park at the Park & Ride Shuttle lot and catch the shuttle from there. The Lake Louise Park and Ride lot is at the Lake Louise Ski Resort/Summer Gondola (1 Whitehorn Road – GPS POINT). Parking here is ample and free.

How Do I Book My Lake Louise Shuttle Reservation?

To make a reservation for the shuttle, you can use the Parks Canada Reservation Service, then select “Day Use” on the right and “Shuttle to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.”

You can also call 1-877-737-3783. To proceed with the booking, you must have an account on Parks Canada Reservation Service. We recommend you create your account beforehand to avoid any inconvenience during checkout.

Is it Possible to Purchase Walk-Up 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 before the day of departure. Last year, we saw Parks Canada employees turn several visitors away.

What is the Lake Connector Shuttle?

The Lake Connector Shuttle connects Lake Louise to Moraine Lake on a first-come, first-served basis and is free of charge for pass holders. You must have a reservation on the Moraine Lake Shuttle or Lake Louise shuttle to use the Lake Connector Shuttle.

Reservation holders must check in at the shuttle departure point at the Lake Louise Ski Resort and Summer Gondola to acquire their boarding pass. The only exception is for ROAM Super Pass holders or those staying at a hotel on the lakeshore. Hotel guests must still have a shuttle reservation.

The shuttle runs every 30 minutes starting at 7:00 am, and the last shuttle runs at 7:00 pm from both lakes. Most visitors to the park want to see Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in one day – the Lake Connector Shuttle ensures that can happen. You can not park at Lake Louise, and then take the Lake Connector Shuttle.

How Do I Visit Moraine Lake and Lake Louise on the Same Day?

With the Lake Connector Shuttle, you can easily visit Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in one day. You can select the shuttle to Moraine Lake or Lake Louise when booking the shuttle. It’s up to you which one you select to visit first. We see no difference in which lake you visit first unless you plan a particular hike at one of the lakes.

Once finished at either Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, you can hop on the shuttle to the other lake. Remember that the Lake Connector Shuttle to Moraine Lake does not start running until June 1st, when Moraine Lake Rd is set to open yearly.

What If I Can’t Book the Lake Louise Shuttle?

If you cannot book the date you want on the Lake Louise shuttle for whatever reason, we recommend:

• Keep your plans flexible and try to find a different date or time.
• Taking the Roam Transit bus from Banff or Canmore. The Route 8X: Lake Louise Express operates daily to Lake Louise.
• Book a Tour of Lake Louise. You can see some of our recommended tours that get you to both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in one day. Radventures and Fairview Limo both operate fun tours.
• Book a private shuttle to the lakes with companies like Moraine Lake Bus Co, WowBanff, or Banff Hop On.
• 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.

Roam Public Transport to Lake Louise

If you don’t have a car while visiting Banff or would prefer to leave your car at your hotel, you can catch public transport to Lake Louise. The Roam Transit Route 8x (Lake Louise Express) operates daily, providing transportation between Banff and Lake Louise. Known as the Roam Route 8X: Lake Louise Express, it follows the Trans-Canada Highway, with stops at Lake Louise Village.

The fare is $10 per adult, and reservations are advised, though walk-up purchases at fare boxes are also available. Roam buses accept US and Canadian currency, ranging from nickels to $20 bills. Children under 12 travel free but still require a reservation.

What If I’m Staying at a Hotel in Lake Louise?

Guests of hotels in Lake Louise do not get special access to the lake or Moraine Lake. Unless they stay at the Fairmont Château Lake Louise, as the hotel is on the lakeshore. If you can splurge on one night here, we highly recommend it.

Other Lake Louise hotels may run shuttles to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, but you must contact them to find out their details. The Deer Lodge and Paradise Bungalows are within walking distance of Lake Louise.

Guests staying at Deer Lodge, Paradise Bungalows, and Chateau Lake Louise can take the Lake Connector Shuttle directly rather than driving to the Park & Ride lot. However, they still need a shuttle reservation for that day and must prove they are staying at one of the above hotels.

If you are staying at the Lake Louise Campground or a hotel in the Lake Louise Village, you can take the Park and Ride Connector for free to the Lake Louise Park and Ride, where you can hop on the shuttle to Moraine Lake or Lake Louise. You will still need reservations on the shuttle.

Can I Bring My Kayak/Canoe to Lake Louise?

You can bring your kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard to Lake Louise since you can still park there. Unlike Moraine Lake, getting your personal watercraft on the lake is much easier. If you get parking at the Lake Louise Lakeshore, you can walk your watercraft from the parking area to Lake Louise, about a 5-minute walk.

However, there is no public boat launch, so you may have to awkwardly find one. If you use the Lake Louise shuttle, you can bring inflatable kayaks and stand-up paddleboards in bags on the shuttle as long as space is available. You may also rent a canoe from the Lake Louise boathouse.

Remember to Clean, Drain, and Dry your watercraft and water-related gear before entering any river, lake, or stream in Banff. Anyone launching non-motorized watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, inflatables, and water-related gear must complete a self-certification permit every time they enter a new lake, river, or stream in Banff National Park. Learn more.

Is the Lake Louise Shuttle Pet Friendly?

Certified assistance animals are allowed on board, and owners should be prepared to show the animal’s verification of training. Passengers are permitted to bring their pets on board free of charge.

These pets must be placed in a secure carrier designed for animal transportation and small enough to fit on the owner’s lap. If you have a larger dog, Fairview Limo is the only company we know of that will transport larger dogs at an extra cost, while smaller dogs that can fit on your lap are free!

Are Strollers Permitted on the Lake Louise Shuttle?

The Lake Louise shuttle can take strollers, climbing gear, and large backpacks.

Is the Lake Louise Shuttle Accessible?

The Lake Louise Shuttle has limited accessibility, and it’s advised that those with a blue accessibility tag visitors try to get parking at Lake Lakeshore. There are multiple handicapped spaces available for those with a disabled permit. Parking at Lake Louise costs $8 for those with a handicap placard.

Does the Lake Louise Shuttle Run in the Winter?

The Lake Louise shuttle operates in the summer only, as there are rarely parking and congestion issues at Lake Louise in the winter and shoulder seasons. This is separate from the Lake Louise Ski Resort Shuttle, which runs from November to May and is operated by Lake Louise Ski Resort. You can read all about their winter shuttle here.

Is There a Shuttle From Lake Louise Village to Lake Louise?

If you are staying in the Lake Louise Village or the Lake Louise Campground, you are encouraged to leave your vehicle at your accommodation and use the free Park and Ride Connector shuttle to the Park and Ride Lot.

Once at the Park and Ride parking lot, you can get on either the Lake Louise Shuttle or the Moraine Lake Shuttle (you still need to pre-purchase shuttle tickets).

Visiting Lake Louise FAQ

When is the Best Time to Visit Lake Louise?

If you are interested in seeing the brilliant blue Lake Louise, you have likely seen on social media and in countless photos, the best time to visit is between mid-June and late September.

Lake Louise is buzzing and beautiful in July and August, but these are also the busiest times in the park. For a quieter summer experience, visit in the early morning or late evening.

What are the best hikes around Lake Louise?

There are so many fabulous hikes around Lake Louise ranging in difficulty. A few of our favorites are the Plain of Six Glaciers, the Beehive Circuit, Fairview Summit, and Mount Saint Piran. You can see all our favorite Lake Louise hikes here.

How Long Should You Spend at Lake Louise?

When we visit Lake Louise, we typically go for a hike, a paddle, or both, so we spend most of the day there. However, if you visit only to enjoy the views, we recommend you allocate 1-2 hours there.

This allows you enough time to enjoy the beautiful scenery and walk around the lakeshore. If you plan on hiking, you’ll need at least half a day, depending on which hike you choose.