Banff National Park Access: How to Get There & What You’ll Need
Few places in the world can rival the beauty and majesty of the Canadian Rockies. How do you get Banff National Park access, though? As you’re planning your trip to Banff, booking flights and hotels is no different from anywhere else, but accessing the park requires passes.
Here, we’ll break down how to get to Banff, what you need for Banff National Park access and everything else to know to have an incredible trip to the Rocky Mountains.
Key Takeaways
- Banff National Park access requires a daily pass or annual Discovery Pass for most visitors.
- Entry to Banff National Park is free from June 19 to September 7, 2026, through the Canada Strong Pass program.
- Park passes can be purchased online, at park gates, visitor centres, or Calgary International Airport.
- A Discovery Pass is cost-effective for visitors planning multiple days in the park.
- A valid park pass is required regardless of transportation method, including buses and tours.
- Staying in Canmore provides easy access to Banff National Park while avoiding higher prices and crowds.
- Canmore is just minutes from the park gates and about 20 minutes from the Town of Banff.
Do You Need a Pass for Banff National Park Access?
Every national park in Canada usually requires that visitors pay an entry fee, and you’ll need to do the same when you’re looking for Banff National Park Access. If you’re visiting in 2026, though, there’s good news: Across the country, the federal government is instituting the Canada Strong Pass, which grants free admission from June 19 to September 7.
You won’t need to physically apply for the Canada Strong Pass. Just show up between these dates, and you can get Banff National Park access or visit any other national park, including nearby Jasper and Yoho.
If you’re visiting at any other time of the year, though, you’ll still need to pay for Banff National Park access. You have two options.
Daily Passes
If you’re only visiting Banff National Park for a day, you can buy your admission pass online, at the gate of the park or at the visitors centres in Banff or Lake Louise. When you purchase a pass, it expires at 4 p.m. the next day.
Parks Canada also has a family or group pass for up to seven people arriving in a single vehicle.
Discovery Pass
The Discovery Pass is essentially an annual pass that gets you Banff National Park access for an entire year. It expires 365 days after the date that you buy it and pays off if you visit 7+ days, considering the cost of daily passes. The Discovery Pass is a no-brainer for locals who visit the park regularly for skiing and hiking, but it can be worthwhile for visitors who plan on spending lots of time at the park during their vacation, too.
What’s Needed for Banff National Park Access?
How to Get Park Passes
Getting access to Banff National Park is really quite simple, and while it doesn’t need to be done in advance, it can make life even easier if you take a few minutes beforehand to make sure you’ve got the passes you need for your trip.
You can do that online and print your pass. It must be displayed on your vehicle's dashboard at all times while you’re in the National Park.
You can also purchase park passes at the visitor centres in both the Town of Banff and Lake Louise, or purchase a Discovery Pass when you arrive at the Calgary International Airport.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Pass?
Buying a pass that gives you access to Banff National Park doesn’t take any longer than it would take to make any purchase.
During the busy summer season, there may be lines at the visitor centres in Banff and Lake Louise, but that will be your only delay. But if you’re visiting in the summer, with the Canada Strong Pass offering free access to Canadian national parks this summer, that won’t be something you need to worry about.
Can You Drive Into Banff National Park?
Yes, the Trans-Canada Highway goes right through Banff National Park. It’s roughly 75 minutes west of Calgary, although you may want to stop to check out the scenery when you hit the mountains or take a break in Canmore.
At the park gates, you have the option of driving right through if you already have a Discovery Pass or a daily pass, but you can also purchase your passes from Parks Canada staff.
If you’re driving from the west, there are no gates, so you’ll need to stop and buy passes at the visitor centres in Banff or Lake Louise.
How Much Does a Pass Cost?
Passes for Banff National Park access are reasonably priced, although for multi-day visits, many people choose to purchase a Discovery Pass, as you can save money if you visit the park for 7+ days. It’s worth remembering, though, that your daily passes and Discovery Passes only get you entry. You’ll need to pay more if you intend on camping or trying out attractions like the Banff Gondola.
Daily Passes
- Adult (18 to 64): $12.25
- Senior (65+): $10.75
- Youth (Under 17): Free
- Family/Group: $24.50
Discovery Passes
- Adult: $83.50
- Senior: $71.50
- Family/Group: $167.50
What Happens When You Enter By Bus? Do You Still Need a Pass?
Yes, you still need a pass to visit Banff National Park, even if you’re taking a bus. While vehicles are more likely to be checked for passes, every visitor to Banff is required to have a pass. Some tour operators will arrange a pass for you beforehand, but it’s best to check.
Do Costs Vary by Season or by Person?
Generally speaking, no, the cost is the same whenever you are visiting Banff National Park. Not everyone has to pay for entry during other times, either. You can get Banff National Park access for free if you are a:
- New Canadian permanent resident or citizen for up to one-year through the Canoo app.
- Support person travelling with a person who has a disability and requires help to travel.
- Active member or veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Does Staying in the Park Save You Money?
No. Anyone visiting Banff National Park needs to have passes for every day they’re visiting, and that doesn’t change whether you’re staying outside the park or you’ve got a hotel booked in the Town of Banff or Lake Louise.
These are very popular destinations that attract visitors from all over the world, and during the peak summer season, hotels in Banff can be considerably more expensive than those just outside the park gates.
These are very popular destinations that attract visitors from all over the world, and during the peak summer season, hotels in Banff can be considerably more expensive than those just outside the park gates.
Why Stay in Canmore for Your Banff Visit?
Visiting Banff National Park is on the bucket list of millions of people, but what many of them don’t know is that you can access everything the park has to offer without having to deal with the pricey hotels and restaurants or the large crowds that flock to the Town of Banff.
Staying in Canmore gives you access to all the amazing attractions Banff has to offer. Many people live in Canmore and work in Banff, that’s how close it is, and hotels like the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre make it easy to pop in-and-out of the national park and avoid chaotic crowds.
The town of Canmore has great restaurants, amazing coffee shops, breweries, art galleries and incredible hiking, biking and more.
How Far Is Banff from Canmore?
Banff is incredibly close to Canmore. The drive from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre to the Banff National Park gates is just a few short minutes, while the drive to the Town of Banff is about 20 minutes along the Trans-Canada Highway.
You can also take advantage of the amazing ROAM Transit bus system that connects the two towns and leave your car behind. There’s even a bike path. The 22.3-kilometre Legacy Trail is spectacular and a great way to get some exercise while surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.
Stay at the Coast Canmore for Your Next Trip to Banff
Getting Banff National Park access is as simple as picking up a pass. Staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre means you’ll have a peaceful retreat to come back to after you explore the breathtaking National Park, and you can get away from the hectic crowds that are sometimes a reality during Banff’s peak season.
With one of Canmore’s best restaurants right inside the hotel, staying with us makes your trip easy. Plan your trip to Banff and Canmore today.