Getting to Banff

by K Gordon Schultz April 10, 2009

written by K Gordon Schultz April 10, 2009

Banff National Park, Alberta

Located in the province of Alberta in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff National Park is easy to get to.

Getting to Banff National Park by Air

Banff is easily accessible from the Calgary International Airport, the Canadian Rockies hub for world-wide
connections. Calgary Airport has many of the top airlines that operate regular flights to Calgary. These airlines include Canada, Westjet, American Airlines, United Airlines,

Continental Airlines, and Northwest Airlines. All of the major car rental agencies are represented at the Calgary International Airport.

Getting to Banff National Park by Car

Transportation to and from Banff is easy on Canada’s national Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway. It’s one of the most splendid and enjoyable drives in all of western Canada. Banff town site is located 120 kilometers from Calgary and the journey takes approximately 1.5 hours. Lake Louise is 58 kilometers west of Banff. Because Banff is situated inside a national Park, you will need to purchase a national park pass at the park gate. Rates are $9 per day per person, or $18 per day for a car with 2-7 people.

Getting to Banff National Park by Bus

There is direct bus service connecting downtown Calgary and the Calgary International Airport with the town of Banff and the Village of Lake Louise. There is also bus service connecting Banff and Lake Louise with the town of Jasper. Taxi service is available in Banff and Lake Louise. Several tour guide companies also offer shuttle service to hiking trailheads.

Maps of Banff National Park

Please find below printable copies of Banff National Park.

Banff National Park
Banff Townsite
Lake Louise
Jasper

Driving Distances to Banff National Park

Here are some driving distances in the Banff, Canmore Kananaskis area

Lake Louise: via #1 Hwy (west), 45 minutes.
Lake Louise: via #1A Bow Valley Parkway (west), 1 hour.
Jasper: via #1 Hwy & #93 (north), 3 – 4 hours.
Columbia Icefields: via #1 Hwy & #93 (north), 2 hours.
Calgary: via #1 Hwy (east), 1.5 hours.
Vancouver: via #1 Hwy (west), 10 – 12 hours.
Edmonton: via #1 Hwy (east) & #2 Hwy (north), 4.5 hours

Distances from the Town of Banff and:
Calgary – 128 km
Canmore – 26 km
Edmonton – 401 km
Golden – 134 km
Halifax – 5,121 km
Jasper – 287 km
Lake Louise – 58 km
Montreal – 3,872 km
New York – 4,448 km
Quebec City – 4,142 km
Radium – 134 km
San Francisco – 2,050 km
Toronto – 3,563 km
Vancouver – 850 km
Whitehorse – 2,514 km

K Gordon Schultz

K Gordon Schultz is a well-known figure in the golf community and currently serves as the President of the Canmore Golf & Curling Club in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role, having spent many years working in the golf industry. Schultz has been a member of the Canmore Golf & Curling Club for over 40 years and has been actively involved in the club’s operations since he joined. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 2001, becoming Club President in 2005. In 2019, he was acclaimed as Club Vice-President, assuming the role of Club President again in 2022. In addition to his work at the Canmore Golf & Curling Club, Schultz is also an avid traveler. He has visited over 30 countries around the world, on all continents. But his most enjoyable travel experiences have come from within Canada, visiting many of Canada's National Parks including Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, Jasper National Park, Kootenay National Park, Grasslands National Park, Mount Revelstoke National Park and Pacific Rim National Park. Along with golf, he enjoys scuba diving, biking, hiking and relaxing with a fine Pinot Noir.

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