Flying
Calgary International Airport is the gateway to Banff National Park. Many major airlines operate regular scheduled flights to Calgary.
From the airport, a scenic drive along the Trans Canada Highway #1 gets you into the heart of the Canadian Rockies and directly to the mountain towns of Canmore, Banff & Lake Louise. There are regular shuttled bus connections from Calgary International Airport to Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise, or you could rent a car from the airport or in the city of Calgary.
Alternatively, if you care to do a little more touring of areas outside of Banff National Park during your visit, perhaps plan to arrive or depart from Vancouver International Airport (850 kilometres, or 530 miles, to the west of Banff & Lake Louise). or Edmonton International Airport (360 kilometres, or 224 miles) to the north-east.
Driving
Banff National Park is located along the TransCanada Highway. It is the main transportation route east to west across Canada and is open year-round. It is a well maintained, four lane highway that winds its way through the heart of Banff National Park.
If you are coming from the east, the main entry gates to Banff National Park are about an 1-1/4 hour (125 kilometre or 77 mile) drive west of Calgary, Alberta. If you are coming from the west, Banff National Park is a scenic day’s drive (850 kilometres or 530 miles) from Vancouver, travelling through the Coast Mountains, wine country of British Columbia and then the spectacular Canadian Rockies.
If you’re driving, you will need to purchase a Parks Pass to enter Banff National Park.
By Bus
There are scheduled bus services from Calgary International Airport and downtown Calgary to Banff & Lake Louise.
Directions to Banff National Park, Alberta
Here is our handy Banff National Park map for directions to throughout the park and the Canadian Rockies area.