Plan Your Trip to Banff and Beyond
If you are just starting to plan your trip to Banff National Park and the surrounding area, then you’re in the right place. I live in Canmore and help travellers plan trips to Banff and the Canadian Rockies all year long. Below I’ll walk you through the exact steps I use with clients so you can skip the guesswork and build a plan that actually works. Start with when to visit, sort out where to stay, pick a few must-dos, then plug everything into an itinerary that fits your pace.
I’ll walk you through the steps to build the perfect Banff trip that works for you!
Step 1: When to Visit Banff
Your first step in planning a trip to Banff is deciding what time of year to come. A summer trip is completely different than visiting in spring, fall or winter. In the summer everything is open but you’ll face the biggest crowds. If you visit in spring or late fall, you run the risk of not getting to do some of the epic hikes on your list or some road may be closed. Finally, winter is a completely different set of activities and requires more preparation for being outside.
Prefer to Listen?
In this episode, Celine tackles one of the biggest questions travellers have when planning a Banff trip: When is the best time to visit?
Best Time to Visit Banff
Read our full guide on finding the best time to visit Banff National Park.
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Banff by Season
Wondering what each season offers? Check out our Banff by Season page.
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Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t make these common mistakes when you plan a trip to Banff National Park
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Banff Travel Tips
Here are over 30+ Banff Travel Tips that you should know when planning a trip. Learn more →
What to Know Before You Go
- Book early for peak months: Hotels, gondolas, and Moraine/Lake Louise shuttles sell out.
- You need a park pass: Every day in the national parks requires a pass; the annual Discovery Pass pays off at 7+ days.
- Summer is the easiest time to go car-free: Roam buses and shuttles reach most highlights; car-free works well late-May until late-September.
- See both lakes on one ticket: Parks Canada shuttles are cheap, flexible and allows you to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in the same day.
- Weather is unpredictable: Be prepared for all types of weather. In the shoulder seasons, expect closures or delays and keep a flexible plan.
- September is still busy: Larch season crowds make it feel like peak summer.
- Build in extra time: Especially in peak summer months, build in extra time for line-ups and to find parking.
- Carry bear spray and know basics: Make noise, keep a safe distance, and educate yourself on travelling in bear country.
- Winter has extra rules: Icefields Parkway requires proper M+S or winter tires Nov 1 to Apr 1.
Free Banff, Jasper & Area Cheatsheets
Step 2: How to Get Around
Knowing how you will get around can make a big difference on where you stay. Driving gives you the most flexibility, but you don’t need a car to see the highlights. In summer, shuttles and Roam Transit make it easy to reach the busy spots. In winter, the Roam Transit schedule is significantly reduced making it difficult to reach as many places without a car.
If you plan to go car-free, choose a hotel that makes it easy to use Roam Transit or join tours. The town of Banff is the most central hub for all tours and public transit.
Prefer to Listen?
In this episode, Celine breaks down when a car is worth it, when it’s not, and how to make the most of Banff without one.
How to Get to Banff
Here are all the options on how to get to Banff National Park.
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Banff Airport Shuttles
Get from the Calgary airport to Banff with ease.
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How to Get to Lake Louise
Travelling without a car? Here’s how to get to Lake Louise.
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Get Around Banff Without a Car
What you need to know about getting around without a car in Banff.
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Step 3: Where to Stay
One of the biggest challenges in planning a trip to Banff is choosing where to make your base. Banff town is the most central. Canmore gives you space and better prices. Lake Louise and the Bow Valley Parkway are quiet and close to the big lakes. Jasper is perfect if you want more wildlife, dark skies, and a slower pace, with the Icefields Parkway as the jaw-drop drive connecting it all.
Before you choose your hotel, figure out how long you want in each place and which towns make the perfect base for you. They all offer something a little different.
Then book your hotel for one base or choose a couple of hotels if you want to save on some driving.
Prefer to Listen?
Choosing where to stay in Banff National Park can be confusing. Should you split your stay between Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, or Jasper? In this episode, Celine shares how to decide.
Where to Stay
Check out our guide on where to stay around Banff!
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Banff vs Canmore
Wondering if Banff or Canmore is the best fit? This will help you decide.
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Other Banff Alternatives
Here are other alternatives to stay in Banff and Canmore.
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Banff Hotels Without a Car
Find the hotels in Banff that are most convenient without a car.
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What to Know Before You Book
Step 4: Best Things to do Around Banff
This might be the hardest part of planning your trip to Banff. There are so many things to see and do, that it will be hard to fit it all in. Just know that you won’t be able to do every single hike and see everything, so just pick the ones that are highest on your list. Keep in mind that summer days are long, so you may be able to fit in a few more activities than you thought.
From scenic drives and boat cruises to long hikes and white water rafting, there are fun activities for everyone around Banff. I recommend making a list of those top ones, then list other things in the same area so you have other options nearby if you have extra time.
Banff Activities
Scroll through our full list of all the best things to do around Banff and area.
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Rainy Day Activities around Banff
The weather isn’t always perfect, so here are some rainy day activities.
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Scenic Drives in Banff
Scenic drives are ideal if you need a rest day or don’t do long hikes.
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Activities for Non-Hikers in Banff
Not a hiker? Here’s a list of other activities around Banff.
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What to Know Before You Go
- Pre-book popular tours: Popular activities like Maligne lake Boat Cruise, Banff Gondola and Columbia Icefield Adventure will sell out.
- Start early or late: Plan to get to trailheads and parking lots early or later in the day, especially in peak season. Better parking and fewer people.
- Check trail reports: Wildlife and weather can close trails.
- Have a backup plan: Know what else is nearby and have a backup plan.
Step 5: Build Your Banff Itinerary
Now is the time to pull it all together. You don’t need a full hour by hour schedule for your trip, but you should have a good idea of what your main activity is for each day, if you need shuttles and how early you should arrive. You should also know what else you can see on the way or near that activity, in case you have extra time and energy.
Putting the plan together can be the most challenging part if you don’t know where things in relation to each other. Use Google maps to work out a plan for driving and leave extra time for parking or line-ups. This is also the time where you need to know when to book your activities, especially shuttles to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
Prefer to Listen?
In this episode, Celine breaks down how to take that long list of must-sees and turn it into a realistic, stress-free Banff itinerary that flows smoothly, without the overwhelm.
Sample Banff Itineraries
Learn from these itineraries to help plan your trip to Banff.
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Banff Travel Planning
Get some help from me to put your Banff plan together.
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How to Get to Moraine Lake
Planning ahead for Moraine Lake shuttles is a must!
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How Many Days in Banff
Know how many days to stay in Banff before you book your hotel!
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Putting Your Banff Plan Together
- Lock your must-dos: Pick top hikes or tours first, then plan around them.
- Plan your shuttles: Don’t leave your shuttles to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise until the last minute and risk being disappointed.
- Mix easy with hard: Pair a longer hike with short walks or scenic stops to make the most of your day without being exhausted.
- Leave some time flexible: This will allow you to move your days around in case of rain, smoke, or that spot you fall in love with.
