Guides › Alberta, Canada (Rockies) › Banff, Alberta
City guide

Banff, Alberta

Banff is a resort town in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, 126 km (78 mi) west of Calgary, 58 km (36 mi) east of Lake Louise, and 1,400 to 1,630 m above sea level.

Type City

Why go

  • Town in Canada.
  • 3 curated must-see attractions on record, including Banff Upper Hot Springs.
  • 1 hand-picked place to stay.
  • Served by Banff Airport (YBA).

History

Banff is a resort town in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, 126 km (78 mi) west of Calgary, 58 km (36 mi) east of Lake Louise, and 1,400 to 1,630 m above sea level.

Must-see attractions

Where to stay

419 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A7, Canada
Indoor

Airports

Banff Airport (YBA) 3 km to the centre
Banff, AB, CA — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Banff Airport (YBA). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Banff, Alberta. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Bus · Local and regional buses around Banff, Canmore and Lake Louise. · Fares: Cash, app or day pass

Trains & rail

Daylight luxury rail Vancouver–Kamloops–Banff or Jasper through the Rockies, April to October. · Vancouver, BC guide →
National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Shuttle along the Icefields Parkway between Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. · Jasper, Alberta guide →
Calgary airport to Banff via Canmore, hourly, about two hours. · Calgary, Alberta guide →
Calgary airport and downtown hotels to Banff, continuing to Lake Louise. · Calgary, Alberta guide →
Sunshine Coach ← Calgary, Alberta
Free Bus Transportation from Calgary and Canmore to Sunshine Village with the purchase of a lift ticket. (child ticket excluded) · Calgary, Alberta guide →
Sunshine Coach ← Canmore, Alberta
Free Bus Transportation from Calgary and Canmore to Sunshine Village with the purchase of a lift ticket. (child ticket excluded) · Canmore, Alberta guide →
Intercity coach
Intercity coach