Last updated: March 27th, 2020
Canada’s first national park is also the countries busiest. A “fairytale” mountain town surrounded by towering mountain peaks, Banff is a favourite amongst everyone who visits. Attracting approximately 3-4 million visitors each and every year, it’s no secret that Banff is a bustling tourist town. But that’s okay. With that comes a variety of hotels, activities, bars, restaurants, and, of course, plenty of souvenir shops as well.
Where is Banff National Park
Banff, Alberta is located just 125 kilometres west of downtown Calgary, Alberta. Many people, including tourists and locals, arrive in Banff from this fast-growing city but you can also come from British Columbia to the east and/or south, or from Jasper to the north. It’s easily accessible right off the Trans-Canada highway. There are no airports, so if you’re flying in, Calgary would be the best choice.
Getting to Banff
As mentioned above, there are no flights to Banff National Park. The closest airport would be Calgary International Airport (YYC), but Edmonton’s airport is another option. However, it’s an additional 2-3 hour drive. From there, you have several options for making it to Banff. You can rent a car and drive yourself or use a bus or shuttle service. Renting a car would be the best way to see all the different sites considering Banff National Park is the largest national park in Canada. However, if you’re not comfortable driving, there are always tours to bring you to many different. places.
The best way to visit Banff if not on a Canada road trip would be to fly into Calgary and go from Calgary to Banff. This is what most people do.
Getting to Banff by Car
We love road trips and Canada is the best place to do one. After all, it’s the second-largest country in the world! If you can rent a car, this is certainly the best way to explore Banff and the surrounding areas.
How far is Banff from Calgary?
Banff is approximately 125-km west of Calgary. You can simply take the Trans-Canada Highway all the way to Banff, passing by Canmore along the way. Another option would be to take Highway 1A, which goes through Cochrane and Morley, but I’m not sure it’s worth the hassle unless you want to see a little more scenery along the way. Once you start to approach Banff, everything is gorgeous anyways. You can expect to drive for about 1.5 hours.
How far is Banff from Edmonton?
Edmonton is much further from Banff than Calgary is. Banff is located approximately 400-km from Edmonton. The fastest way to go to Banff from Edmonton would be to take highway AB-s South followed by the Trans-Canada Highway (also known as Highway 1). This will take around 4 hours. Another option would be to extend your drive and go to Jasper first and then to Banff via the world-famous Icefields Parkway.
How far is Banff from Vancouver?
The drive between Vancouver and Banff is one of the nicest in the world. It takes close to 10-hours and is around 900-km in length. It passes by a variety of national parks and is also not far from BC’s Okanagan Valley. If you go this route, we’d certainly recommend spending time along the way to see Kelowna, Yoho National Park, Revelstoke National Park, and Lake Louise at the very least. This way you’ll see incredible mountain scenery, one of Canada’s most prominent wine regions, and the Pacific Coast when you’re in Vancouver.
How far is Banff from Jasper?
The road from Banff to Jasper is called the Icefields Parkway and it has often been ranked as the most scenic highway in the world. Excited yet? If you have the time, we highly recommend doing this road trip while you’re here. Banff is about 288-km from Jasper, which will take a good 3-hours without stopping. But trust us, you will stop a lot. It’s better to assume the better part of a day for this trip, especially if you’re thinking of doing some short hikes along the way.
Getting to Banff By Train
The only passenger train that travels through Banff is the Rocky Mountaineer, a luxurious tourist train that connects Vancouver with Banff. We haven’t done it yet, but it looks beautiful. However, we’ve also heard that it’s far too expensive for what it offers. We’ve been told it costs approximately $1,500 for the two-day trip.
Getting to Banff By Bus
There are options for getting to Banff by bus from both Edmonton and Calgary, but Calgary is the most convenient. Options include;
- On-it Transit Service
- Banff Airporter
- Brewster Express
- Sundog Tours (winter only)
There’s also the Rider Express, which takes you from Vancouver to Calgary or Banff for just $122,87.
Banff National Park Weather
The weather in Banff varies quite a bit between seasons. In the summer, you can expect highs of +25 Celcius and as low as -40 Celcius in the winter. In the summer, you’ll have long nights where the sun doesn’t set until 10 PM. In the winter, the sun will set around 5 PM. Each season has pro’s and con’s, but as long as you have the right clothes, each season is truly awesome in their own way.
Banff Park Pass
If you visit Banff, a Banff Park Pass, or the Parks Canada Discovery Pass, is needed when visiting any national park in Canada. The fees are as follow:
Daily Rates
- Adult: $9.80
- Senior: $8.30
- Youth: free
- Family/Group: $19.60
- Commercial Group, per person: $8.30
Parks Canada Discovery Pass (One Year Pass)
- Adult: $67.70
- Senior: $57.90
- Family/Group: $136.40
Basically, if you’re staying more than 7 days in any national park in Canada within a year, you’re better off just buying the yearly pass. Plus, you’ll get entrance to all the historical sites as well.
Banff is a great place to visit at any time of the year.
Banff Summer Activities
Canada’s summers are beautiful, not only because they’re warm, but because they’re very long. In Banff, you’ll have daylight until 9 PM or later, which allows you to do a lot more in a day. The warmth makes this season the most comfortable and also gives you an opportunity to see the many turquoise-coloured lakes. The downside is that it’s VERY BUSY and VERY EXPENSIVE. Hotels sell out months in advance, especially from July to September, and camping sells out as well. You’ll definitely want to book as far in advance as you can.
Things to do in Banff in summer: Hiking, rafting, biking, camping, hot springs, road trips, helicopter flights, and more.
Banff Winter Activities
Canada’s winters are quite cold. In Banff, the sun will set around 5 PM, giving you less time to enjoy the day. However, the winter has its own magic. The snow creates a winter wonderland, which is something people often love, especially if they come from countries with no snow. The winter also brings activities such as skiing and snowboarding. Plus, outside of holidays such as New Year and Christmas, the winter season is LESS BUSY and LESS EXPENSIVE.
Things to do in Banff in winter: Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, helicopter flights, hot springs, and more. Plus, there’s always the marvelous Banff Christmas, which feels like a winter wonderland when the snow begins to fall.
Things To Do in Banff Alberta Canada
When the views of the Canadian Rockies isn’t mesmerizing you, you’ll probably be looking for what to do in Banff National Park. There are so many things to do, including a variety of Banff tourist attractions, Banff sightseeing, natural attractions, hiking trails, ski resorts and more. While the list below isn’t fully comprehensive, it does sum up the top things to do in Banff.
Banff Downtown
The town of Banff itself is quite charming. It’s got one big main street with one of the most impressive mountains staring right down the street. In the summer, flowers decorate all the light poles and in the winter, it really feels like a winter wonderland out of a movie. There’s a lot of delicious restaurants, as well as bars, restaurants, candy shops, and more. You’ll also find many souvenir shops and a mall.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
This is where it all started. It’s because of the hot springs at the Cave and Basin that Banff became a national park. I’d go into the history here but it’s better if you visit the site and learn for yourself. The entrance is free with an annual park pass or a small fee without one. There’s also a beautiful little cave with one of the rarest snails in the world. This is one of the many Banff attractions you don’t want to miss just for the history alone.
Banff Hikes
One of the most popular Banff activities during the summer is hiking. Since the Canadian Rockies are one of the most beautiful places on Earth and very wild, it’s home to hundreds of hikes for all levels of fitness. There are plenty of half-day hikes, full-day hikes, and multi-day hikes. Some are easy and relatively flat while some take you to the top of the mountains. We’ll be creating a separate article just for hiking in Banff but some of the best hikes near Banff that don’t require heavy training are Sundance Canyon, Johnston Canyon, Boom Lake, Sunshine Meadows, Tunnel Mountain, and Sulphur Mountain.
Banff Helicopter Tours
Summer or winter, taking a flightseeing tour over Banff National Park is one of the coolest things you can do. If you think the mountains and lakes look spectacular from the ground, imagine how they look from the air! Helicopter tours take place throughout the year depending on the weather and offer anywhere from 20-minute flights to a full hour. Some people even take them to the top of a mountain where you can have dinner, go hiking, do yoga, or even get married! The possibilities are endless. (You can save money on a helicopter tour with the Canada Saver Card)
Banff Gondola
If you want to feel like your on top of the world, a trip up the Banff Gondola is a must. This gondola will take you up to the top of Sulphur Mountain, giving you views over the town of Banff and various mountain ranges. There’s a variety of platforms that take you to different lookout points and there’s also a restaurant, bar, and coffee shop. At $65, it’s quite expensive, but if you do want to save money, you can also hike to the top. There’s a trail that starts right where the gondola begins and it takes close to two hours to make it to the summit. From there, you can hike back down or take the gondola. Sometimes it’s free and sometimes it’s half price on the way down.
Banff Castle
The Fairmont Banff Springs is often known as the Banff Castle and rightfully so. It does look like a castle. Even if you’re not staying there, it’s well worth the visit. It’s beautiful inside and out, and anyone is welcome to tour the hotel. There are also a few restaurants inside if you want to enjoy a meal in Banff’s most famous hotel. Tip: Behind the hotel the gorgeous Bow Falls.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
Winter or summer, the Banff Upper Hot Springs is a very popular attraction. Who doesn’t like to sit in hot mineral water, relaxing amidst the views of the Canadian Rockies? My favourite time to visit is during the winter when the trees are covered in snow, and the water feels extra nice.
Horseback Riding
One of the coolest things we’ve ever done in the Canadian Rockies was when we went on a 6-day horseback riding experience into the backcountry. We stayed in luxury tents, ate gourmet cuisine, rode horses up and down mountains, and spent the nights singing songs around the fire. It was an incredible experience but even if you can’t spare a week, many companies offer trips ranging from a couple of hours to a full day. Whether you’re a beginner or practically a cowboy, there’s an option for you.
Rafting Banff
With raging rivers all around Banff National Park and nearby British Columbia, rafting is one of the most fun and exciting things to do during the summer. If you want the biggest thrills, go in the spring when the water is just starting to melt in the mountains and the rivers are extra powerful. There are also scenic and calm trips for those wanting more views than thrills.
Johnston Canyon
Summer or winter, Johnston Canyon is one of the most scenic hikes in the area. It’s also one of the easiest and busiest. You’ll get to walk through the forest, right alongside a canyon and river, eventually making it to a stunning waterfall. Actually, there are multiple waterfalls and one of them is accessible through a cave! In the summer, the waterfalls are flowing like normal, but in the winter, they freeze, creating one of the most beautiful works of natural art you’ll ever see. Highly recommended!
Bow Valley Parkway
The Bow Valley Parkway is a scenic drive with a variety of stops along the way. It provides a nice break from the main Trans-Canada Highway and is much more narrow and scenic. This is the road you’ll take to find Johnston Canyon, but there’s also a variety of other scenic lookout points and hikes. This is a beautiful short drive in both summer and winter.
Lake Minnewanka
This is the second longest lake in the mountain parks of the Canadian Rockies, which has resulted in a power dam at the west end. This dam caused a big flood “back in the day”, leaving an old town underwater. For this reason, scuba diving in the lake is popular, even in the winter. This lake can be seen from the top of Sulphur Mountain, which is accessible via hiking or the Banff Gondola. You can also drive to the lake and go on a scenic boat cruise.
Lake Louise
Quite possibly the most famous lake in Alberta, if not the country, visiting the lakeside area is one of the top things to do in Lake Louise. The scenic turquoise lake is always surrounded by tourists looking for the best photo or paddling around in a canoe, which you can rent on-site. There’s also the famous Chateau Lake Louise, another Fairmont hotel that sits right next to the lake. Many people simply enjoy the views while others might want to get on the lake or go for a hike. Tip: You can bring your own water vessels, such as a kayak or paddle-board, but there is no area to bring a car. So whatever you bring, make sure you can walk with it!
Moraine Lake
Located close to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake is another beautiful mountain lake. In fact, it’s more beautiful than Lake Louise in our opinion. The only downfall is that it has become a victim of its own success. In the summer, getting to this lake is difficult. If you’re not there before breakfast, the chances of getting your car to the lake are very slim. Instead, you’d have to take a shuttle, which has a price attached to it. In the winter, the road is closed, so the only way to get there would be to go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Another option is to stay at Moraine Lake Lodge, giving you access to the lake at night and early morning when very little people are there.
Icefields Parkway
Known as one of the most scenic drives in the entire world, the Icefields Parkway is well worth the drive. It starts close to world-famous Lake Louise and goes all the way north to Jasper, Alberta. The 230-km highway snakes its way around some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole world, including towering mountains, lush pine forest, turquoise rivers and lakes, as well as various glaciers. There are many things to do and see along the way, including popular stops such as Peyto Lake, the Glacier Skywalk, the Columbia Icefield, Sunwapta Falls, and Athabasca Falls. The highway is open year-round but is definitely safer (at least for those with no experience driving on icy roads) in the spring, summer, and fall.
Peyto Lake
This glacier-fed lake is accessible from the world-famous Icefields Parkway. The lake itself is not easy to get to but the viewpoint to see the lake from high above is only a 20-minute hike. Due to the significant amounts of glacial rock flour that flow into the lake during the summer, it becomes a stunningly bright turquoise colour, which has helped to make it one of the most photographed lakes in Canada. This is simply a stop to admire the view and take some photos.
Columbia Icefield
The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains and is the most popular stop on the Icefields Parkway. Located in the Canadian Rockies along the border of British Columbia and Alberta, the icefield shares itself among two national parks, which include Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. It’s about 325 square kilometres in area and more than 365 metres deep! It’s an unbelievable sight to see and can be viewed right from the highway. However, most people opt to take the Glacier Adventure tour, which takes you right onto the glacier aboard a massive all-terrain Ice Explorer. From there, you can step out and actually walk on the glacier, sampling some of the fresh glacier water as well. During the peak Banff tourism season, you’ll want to book in advance. If you don’t have a car, they also offer Banff tours that will pick you up at your hotel and bring you here, making it a full-day trip.
Glacier Skywalk
The Glacier Skywalk is a popular add-on activity to the Glacier Adventure tour mentioned above. The Glacier Skywalk is a glass-bottom cliff-edge walkway that allows visitors to step out onto a platform separating you from a 918-foot (280 metres) drop. The views don’t change much from the platform itself but for some, it’s an incredible thrill to walk on glass, looking down at the valley below you. There’s also an interpretative storytelling format that will educate you about the waterfalls, wildlife, fossils and more during your visit.
Banff Skiing
During the winter, Banff is home to world-class skiing and snowboarding. There are three famous ski resorts within the national park, including Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mount Norquay. Mount Norquay is the smallest and cheapest, and also offers a really cheap $2 ski pass once per month. For someone looking to just learn how to ski, it’s a good option as you don’t want to waste money on a big mountain if you won’t be doing any of the runs. Lake Louise is the biggest of the three, but Sunshine Village is also very big, is much closer to Banff, and is home to one run that takes you right over the continental divide, allowing you to ski in two provinces on one run! How cool is that!
Snowshoeing
While hiking is popular in the summer, snowshoeing is popular in the winter. You can rent snowshoes from a variety of shops in town or at the ski resort, and enjoy a variety of trails free of charge. This is basically the winter version of hiking and is a great way to get some exercise, enjoy the great outdoors, and see some views without breaking the bank.
What To Do In Banff, Canada
Whether you’re visiting Banff for the first time or coming for a weekend away from Calgary, the list above is the best of Banff. Once you’ve exhausted these things to see in Banff, there are many other things to do as well, which mostly include various lakes and hiking trails or getting into the backcountry. Banff does have some nightlife, shopping, and a thriving arts scene, but for the most part, it’s a place to get into nature. So whether you’re looking for things to do in Banff this weekend or looking to get some tips for your next Banff vacation, make sure you plan to get outdoors and truly see one of the most scenic areas in the world.
Banff Travel Quick Tips
What to see in Banff: Banff downtown, Banff Gondola, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Lake Minnewanka, Bow Falls, Banff Upper Hot Springs, Lake Louise, Lake Moraine, Peyto Lake, Johnston Canyon.
Popular Banff Canada points of interest include Sulphur Mountain, Castle Mountain, Bow Valley Parkway, Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise, and Lake Minnewanka.
Banff Accommodations
As one of Canada’s most popular tourist attractions, There is no shortage of hotels in Banff, Alberta. There are a variety of places to stay in Banff, including hotels, motels, hostels, and campgrounds. We’ve stayed at many hotels over the years and all of them are great in different ways.
If you’re visiting in the summer, booking in advance is highly recommended, as the entire town does sell out. In fact, prices can quadruple in the summer months, so it can be expensive. During the winter, prices drop and availability is much better, except for popular times such as New Year’s Eve.
Some of the best places to stay in Banff include:
Banff Camping: Tunnel Mountain Village 2 Campground, Two Jack Main, Johnston Canyon, Castle Mountain, Lake Louise, and many more. RVing in Banff is very popular but so is tent camping and backcountry camping.
Budget Options: Big Horn Motel, the Drake Inn, Homestead Inn Banff, YWCA Banff Hotel, King Edward Hotel, and many more.
Mid-Range Options: Best Western Plus, Banff Park Lodge, Mount Royal Hotel, and many more.
Luxury Options: Fairmont Banff Springs, Chateau Lake Louise, Rimrock Resort Hotel.
As you can see, Banff lodging is quite varied. The cheapest option is camping but some budget Banff hotels are only $60 in the low season.
Best Hotels in Banff
There are so many hotels in Banff that we could create a website dedicated solely to where to stay in Banff. However, just to give you some ideas, we’re going to list some of the places we’ve liked staying in over the years.
King Edward Hotel (Budget): While King Edward Hotel might be small and rather outdated, the location can’t be beaten. It’s right in the heart of Banff, sharing the building with the Maple Leaf Restaurant and a popular club. It’s one of those hotels that you just walk out of and you’re right in the action. This is a very basic hotel, but if you’re just looking for a place to crash that’s walking distance to all the main downtown Banff attractions, it’s hard to beat.
Fairmont Banff Springs (Luxury): For a date night, we once stayed in the Fairmont Banff Springs. This is a very expensive hotel with rates normally starting around $500 and quickly rising. The rooms are not all that big and the windows are quite small, but the hotel itself, as well as the amenities, are amazing. Just staying in the famous “Banff Castle” is an experience in and of itself. It has it’s own massive outdoor hot spring, which makes it a nice place for a quiet evening. There’s also a variety of restaurants on-site, shops, and a spa. From the back, there’s also the beautiful Bow Falls, which can be seen with a short hike. For a fancy date night, the Fairmont was great.
What’s Next – Things To Do Around Banff
As you can see, there are many things to do in Banff, Canada. However, there are also many things to do around Banff National Park. So if you’re looking for more things to do that aren’t so far away, you might want to consider:
- Visiting Canmore and camping in Spray Lakes Provincial Park, one of the popular Alberta Parks.
- Spending time in Calgary. For a city with more than a million people, there are many things to do in Calgary.
- Exploring Jasper National Park. This park is just as scenic as Banff National Park but a little more isolated. Considering it makes up half the Icefields Parkway, I’d recommending doing that road trip and spending time in Jasper as well.
- Exploring Yoho National Park. This is the first national park you’ll drive through in British Columbia if you head west from Banff. It’s gorgeous.
- Driving to the Kootenays. Calgarians love the Kootenays because they are quieter than Banff and just as scenic. There are many gems in the area, including Panorama Ski Resort and the famous Radium Hot Springs.
Banff Deals
Depending on the season, there’s always deals going on around Banff. It might be a hotel that has partnered with a ski resort or a tour company offering a package. There are also sites like Groupon, which regularly offer deals on restaurants and activities.
We also have our own Must Do Canada Saver Card as well, which saves you money on activities, attractions, and adventures all across the country! It’s only $29 and that includes shipping anywhere in the world. All you have to do is show the card or use the online discount codes, and you’ll save money on things to do in Banff, Jasper, Calgary, and other cities, provinces, and territories across Canada.
Learn more about the deals offered with the Canada Saver Card by clicking here.
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