Check two destinations off your bucket list and discover why Calgary and Banff were made for each other. Banff is just 90 minutes west of Calgary with several inexpensive options to get there. Explore the energy of urban life in Calgary and the natural beauty of Banff National Park without a car.

Easy ways to get to Banff

Great ways to travel from Calgary to Banff without a car:

AM PM Limousines: Travel in style with a luxury car or party bus to Banff with AM PM Limousines. Rates vary depending on the number of passengers and the vehicle you select from their fleet of world-class vehicles.

Airport Shuttle Express: Take the Airport Shuttle Express with daily service from YYC Calgary International Airport to any hotel or residence in Banff or charter a private van, sedan, or minibus and make your own schedule. Tours of Banff & Lake Louise are also available.

Brewster Express: Brewster Express provides direct shuttle service from YYC Calgary International Airport to Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Kananaskis, and Jasper. You can save 15% when you book a round trip.

Banff Airporter: The Banff Airporter offers a flexible schedule of service between Calgary and Banff, departing from Calgary International Airport. 

RTB Tours & Shuttles: RTB Tours & Shuttles provides friendly and accommodating shuttle service from Calgary and YYC Calgary International Airport to Banff.  Airport reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.  RTB Tours & Shuttles is the only company currently operating a scheduled service to Banff and Canmore from downtown Calgary and from the airport.

Other ways to travel:

Carpooling: Sharing a ride with friends and family from Calgary to Banff is a great way to save money. You can also check Carpool World to find other travellers and locals looking to carpool from Calgary to Banff. Stay safe when using online car pool services like Carpool World.

Canmore to Banff by Bus: If your travels have already taken you to Canmore, you can park in town and take Roam Transit Route 3 to get from Canmore into Banff for only $2.00.

Canmore to Banff by Bike: Take the scenic route and travel from Canmore to Banff on the Banff Legacy Trail for a 2-3 hour ride through the mountains.

Explore Banff without a Car

There are plenty of things to do and ways to explore the Town of Banff as well as many of the big experiences in Banff National Park without a vehicle. The Town of Banff is very walkable, with the main street of Banff Avenue being a popular pedestrian friendly street that runs through the centre of town. Full of shops, restaurants, and photo-worthy sights, you can spend the whole day exploring on foot.

To explore Banff National Park, Roam Transit offers both local and regional bus services in the area. Roam Transit travels throughout the Town of Banff, as well as Canmore and Lake Minnewanka, with one way adult fares for $2.00 or purchase a one day pass for $5.00.

Or hop on board Parks Canada Shuttles for daily service from the Banff train station to Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake, for between $5.00 and $10.00, round trip.

Get to Banff for $10

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to get to Banff is the On-It Transit service. Buses run a direct route from Calgary to Banff and fare is only $10 each way, so you can create a schedule that suits your individual plans. The shuttle runs during weekends and holidays from May to September.

Buses depart from Downtown Calgary (205 9 Avenue SE), the Crowfoot LRT Station (141 Crowfoot Way NW), and the Somerset-Bridlewood LRT Station (Shawville Way SE). Buses depart Banff on Elk Street (304 Elk Street). Tickets go on sale three weeks in advance of your departure and it is recommended to book your trip early.

Explore Calgary without a Car

Explore all the great things to see and do in Calgary without a car

Walk: Explore Calgary neighbourhoods on foot and get a unique perspective of the city. The Beltline, Inglewood, Kensington, East Village, and Chinatown are full of great restaurants, shops, and festivals that are accessible with a 10 – 30 minute walk of downtown Calgary.

Calgary Transit: Calgary Transit is an efficient and inexpensive way to explore Calgary without a car. Bus routes and two C-Train lines make it easy to navigate almost anywhere in the city. The C-Train is free to ride between City Hall Station and Downtown West/Kerby Station in the downtown core.

Taxi: Taxi and cab services in Calgary are a great way to get direct access to your next destination. You can download the Checker Yellow Cab mobile app to book a taxi on your phone.

Rideshare: Ridesharing applications like Uber are available in Calgary and are a great way to safely navigate throughout the city.

Bike: Calgary is home to the most extensive network of urban bike paths of any city in North America. Explore the pathways and bikeways in Calgary with bike rentals from organizations like Bow Cycle or the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre.