How to Get from Calgary to Banff & Canmore
It’s often said that the Canadian Rockies are right in Calgary’s backyard, but in reality, the mountains are still about an hour and a half away from the Calgary International Airport. For visitors, that leads to questions about how to get from Calgary to Banff.
Fortunately, there are lots of options, whether you’re planning to rent a car or considering other ways to get to Banff from Calgary.
Key Takeaways
- Driving is the easiest way to reach Banff and Canmore from Calgary, but alternatives exist.
- Several bus options connect Calgary to Banff and Canmore, including Airport Shuttle Express, Brewster Express, Banff Airporter, The Fairy Bus, and Vivo Green.
- Private transportation options like limousines and charter buses offer convenience but at a higher cost.
- Canmore is often a more affordable and less crowded base than Banff, with easy access to both towns.
- Roam Transit provides public transit between Canmore and Banff, with bike paths available in summer.
Can You Get to the Mountains Without a Car?
If you’re trying to figure out how to get from Calgary to Banff and Canmore, the easiest way is to drive. While there are ongoing plans to get train service between the city and the mountain communities, those are still a long way off, and there’s no guarantee they move forward.
That means driving is the easiest way. Both Canmore and Banff are right off the Trans-Canada Highway and an easy drive from Calgary. You don’t need a car to get to the Bow Valley communities, though, and you can absolutely enjoy your time in Canmore and Banff without a car once you arrive by taking advantage of great public transit options, bike trails and other bus and driver options to get around.
How to Get from Calgary to Banff & Canmore
By Bus
Whether you’re leaving from downtown or trying to figure out how to get from the Calgary airport to Banff, there are lots of different bus options that offer comfortable and convenient transport.
Airport Shuttle Express
If you’re leaving from the Calgary International Airport and going directly to Banff, the Airport Shuttle Express offers bus shuttles that leave 11 times a day and generally take around two hours to get to the beautiful Rocky Mountain town. The buses will drop you off directly at any hotel in town and also offer services to Canmore hotels.
Brewster Express
The Brewster Express provides service to Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise and departs from the Calgary International Airport every hour and a half, starting at 9:30 a.m. and with the last bus leaving at 8 p.m.
There are three stops throughout the day in Downtown Calgary, too. The Brewster Express stops in Canmore right outside the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre and will drop passengers off at every hotel in Banff. The Brewster Express is one of the more popular options for getting to Banff from Calgary.
Banff Airporter
The Banff Airporter offers comfortable shuttle buses to Banff and Canmore from the Calgary International Airport. They pride themselves on knowledgeable and friendly drivers and having both the earliest and latest departure times, leaving from the airport. If you’re looking to get from Calgary to Banff, the Airporter is a great option that makes the whole process feel simple.
The Fairy Bus
The Fairy Bus offers a fleet of smaller shuttles that make several stops in Calgary before heading out to the mountains. The buses can be booked to be shared or for private transfers and are the newest shuttle option in the local market. Rides take around two hours and make a stop in Canmore before heading to one of two stops in Banff.
Vivo Green
Vivo Green offers comfortable, affordable shuttle service from Calgary to both Banff and Canmore, with 8 departure times from the Calgary International Airport during the summer and 5 throughout the winter. The bus makes a stop at the Crowfoot LRT Station on the way out of town.
By Car or Limo Service
While they cost more than taking a shuttle bus, if you’re looking for how to get from Calgary to Banff or Canmore even more conveniently, booking a private limo or charter can often be the best option.
- AM PM Limousines offers luxury transportation that will get you right to the front steps of your hotel.
- Signature Charters offers private buses.
- Banff on Demand offers 24/7 luxury transportation services.
- Brewster Express has the option of allowing you to book a private shuttle for larger groups.
There’s no shortage of options for how to get from Calgary to Banff or Canmore.
Getting from Canmore to Banff
Many visitors to the Canadian Rockies find that staying in Canmore is a better option than Banff. It’s generally less expensive, has smaller crowds, and is only about 20 minutes down the highway from Banff. You can easily access all that the beautiful national park has to offer, even without a car.
The Roam Transit system offers easy and affordable public transit between the two towns and has a stop right outside the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre. For anyone visiting in the summer, the Banff Legacy Trail is a stunning 22.3-kilometre bike path that connects the two communities, as well.
Stay at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre
Whether you’re visiting Canmore or Banff, staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre gives you a comfortable home base to explore everything the Canadian Rockies have to offer. Many of the buses that will help you get from Calgary to Banff stop in Canmore, and some of them will even drop you off right outside of the Coast Canmore, making it even more convenient.
Book with us today to get started on your next trip to the Rocky Mountains.
FAQ
How long does it take to get from the Calgary airport to Banff?
Depending on the type of transportation from Calgary to Banff you choose, it generally takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours. If you choose to take a shuttle bus from Calgary to Banff, there may be stops along the way that make the journey a little bit longer.
How much is Uber from Calgary to Banff?
This generally isn’t recommended, and many drivers won’t pick up riders from the Calgary airport and take them to Banff. It will cost a couple of hundred dollars, and there are more affordable ways to get from the Calgary airport to Banff.