June 2018
From the rolling prairies, to the soaring majesty of the Rockies, to the world-renowned Calgary Stampede, Calgary has become a tourist destination that is famous around the world. Many people who visit Calgary include a trip to Banff National Park (and if they don’t, they should!); a trip to Banff National Park is popular even for those who have lived their whole lives in Calgary.
If you’re visiting Calgary, however, you don’t always have a car or want to rent one, and even if you did, parking can be a challenge on busy days in this popular destination. Thankfully, shuttles from Calgary to Banff are readily accessible and affordable. So, grab your camera and your backpack, and let’s head to Banff for a day!
Transportation to Banff National Park
If you’re flying into the Calgary International Airport, the Banff Airporter is a popular option. There are private chartered options available, as well as many scheduled options. During the summer, some scheduled options leave Calgary as late as midnight and leave Banff as early as 3 am, making it a convenient choice for catching some of those more difficult flights. Adults are $64.99 (seniors are $58.49 and children ages 3 – 12 are $32.49) and you can be dropped off right at your door in Banff.
New to the Calgary-Banff bus service is On-It Regional Transport. It operates on weekends and holidays, and the route runs from Calgary’s downtown and the Crowfoot LRT, to Canmore, the Banff train station, and the Banff High School. Tickets are $10 one-way and include complimentary Roam transfers when you get to Banff – good for same day travel! Children ages 2 – 5 are free, but need to be registered to reserve a seat.
Banff Chauffeur provides luxury chauffeur-driven transportation services from Calgary International Airport to Banff and once there, to all hotels in the Bow Valley. They offer travel from the airport to Banff in 90 minutes.
Banff Taxi will also pick up in Calgary and take you to Banff, and they are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. You can request a quote through the website.
One of the biggest names in the mountain travel industry is Brewster Charter Services. Their luxury motor coaches are well-equipped to carry you in comfort wherever you plan to roam in the National Park.
Canada Coach Lines also offers a comfortable, chartered service to the mountains.
Transportation in Banff National Park
Once you’re in Banff, Hop On Banff is a convenient, efficient way to explore the park with your own interests in mind. For only $55 a day ($45 for kids 12 and under), you can get on or off the bus whenever it suits you, and a guide on the bus offers knowledge and stories about the area. Or you could use Roam Public Transit Service for an inexpensive way to get around when you just don’t want to walk another step. Single fares are $2 for adults ($1 for children and seniors) and day passes are available for $5 for adults ($2.50 for children). Children under 6 ride free.
There are really no excuses not to visit Canada’s first national park this summer! Shuttles to Banff have made it easier than ever to get to where you want to go when you want to go there. So, get outside and soak up summer in one of the most picturesque places in the world!
