3 Best Calgary to Banff Tours + What You Need to Know (2023)
For anyone visiting or passing through Calgary, undoubtedly one of the top things to do is visit Canada’s beloved Banff National Park! And, if you don’t have a car, the best way to maximize your time is by going on one of the awesome Calgary to Banff tours!
Within this post, you’ll find the 3 of the best Calgary to Banff tours as well as some options for transportation if you plan on traveling directly from Calgary’s airport to Banff!
This way, you can easily include witnessing the stunning beauty of Banff National Park in your itinerary, no matter if you want to spend a day or several days in Banff!
Table of Contents
- 3 Best Calgary to Banff Tours (2023)
- Why Do a Calgary to Banff Tour?
- Calgary to Banff Tours Comparison
- Calgary Airport to Banff
- What to Bring to Banff
- Where to Stay in Calgary
- Calgary to Banff Tours: FAQ
- Wrap-Up: 3 Best Calgary to Banff Tours (2023)
3 Best Calgary to Banff Tours (2023)
1. Experience Banff National Park – Private Day Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 out 5 – taken by 75+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 8 – 10 hours
The Experience Banff National Park – Private Day Tour includes:
- Visit top sites like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, & Lake Minnewanka
- Direct pick-up from your housing accommodations in Calgary
- Private tour with only your group
- Customizable & flexible experience
- Park entrance fees
- Private transport in a comfortable SUV
This tour is the highest-rated and most popular Calgary to Banff tour! The full-day tour includes stops at some of the most famous locations in Banff National Park, as well as the option to customize the experience based on what you want to see/do (i.e. Tunnel Mountain, Johnston Canyon, ride Banff Gondola Ride, etc.)
And with a local guide, you’ll be able to get a unique insight into the history, culture, and wildlife of this stunning region.
So if you’re looking for a private, unforgettable experience in one of Canada’s most beautiful destinations, look no further than this Calgary to Banff tour!
“Amazing experience with Jef, an exceptional tour guide. He made sure we did what we wanted and that we had the full experience since we only had one day. It was a day well worth the price. This tour is how you must see Banff and the surrounding lakes. Beautiful and breathtaking!”
– Bill M. (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
2. Discover Banff National Park – Day Trip
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 70+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 10 – 12 hours
The Discover Banff National Park – Day Trip includes:
- Visiting Canmore & several iconic spots within Banff
- Encountering unique wildlife
- Exploring true hidden gems spots
- A personal photographer aka your guide :’)
- Park entrance fees
- Pick-up & Drop off in Calgary + Private round-trip transportation
- Ice cleats for shoes (in winter)
For those looking for a more affordable option, this semi-private Calgary to Banff tour is an excellent option. Throughout the full-day tour, you’ll get to experience some of the best attractions in and around Banff, such as Banff Town, Castle Mountain, and Lake Louise, along with a few stops at the lesser-known spots that are only known by locals.
And to document your wonderful time in Banff, the highly knowledgeable and friendly guides are more than happy to be your personal photographers for the day!
So if you’re looking for an excellent value option that is still a top-notch experience, then this Discover Banff National Park – Day Trip tour is the best choice for you!
“Amazing trip! Natalia was a bright life with lots energy and knowledge. I was thinking of doing the trip by myself but would have missed out without the guide. Many spots off the beaten path that I would have missed. Thanks to Natalia and Steve for an amazing experience. Highly recommend this trip.”
– Gregory B. (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
3. Icefields Pkwy: Private Day Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 out 5 – only 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 10 – 12 hours
The Icefields Pkwy: Private Day Tour includes:
- Explore 4 lakes: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Bow Lake, & Peyto Lake
- Visit Bow Summit
- Drive along the scenic Icefields Parkway
- Stop at Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre
- Walk around Mistaya Canyon
- Wander Around Banff Town
- Private sightseeing tour
If you’re looking for a luxury, stress-free experience that maximizes your one day in Banff, then the Icefields Pkwy: Private Day Tour is the tour to take!
During your full-day tour, you’ll not only see the crowd-favorite spots but also get to drive along Icefields parkway. This parkway features endless breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and is consistently voted as one of the top 5 most scenic drives in the world!
Thus, if you’re looking for top-notch service with guides who are very knowledgeable about Banff National Park, then definitely check out this private tour.
“Amazing trip with Jeff, we saw so much and he is brilliant at taking photos of us so we got ones will all three of us at each stop. Spectacular views. It is a long day as it’s a long way but so very worth it. The price for the private tour seemed a lot sat at home but once we got going it was 100% worth it to make our trip unique and go to the places we wanted to.”
– Lorraine F. (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
Why Do a Calgary to Banff Tour?
Honestly, aside from the obvious reasons of having your own car or plenty of time to explore on your own, it’s hard to think of a reason not to visit Banff with a tour. But, if you’re still unsure, here’s why I believe Calgary to Banff tours are worth it.
First of all, it’s a convenient way to get up close and personal with Canada’s number 1 destination. I know we all like saving money, but I genuinely believe it’s worth paying to travel off the beaten path.
Banff receives well over 4 million tourists a year, so more often than not, you’ll see LOTS of tourists around you.
But, if you go with a local guide, you’ll actually get the chance to savor a few precious moments in areas unhindered by throngs of tourists. And it feels freaking ✨magical ✨!
In a similar vein, all the tours I’ve recommended offer direct pick-up from downtown Calgary hotels and housing. This means you don’t have to stress about navigating a foreign area or dealing with hairy parking situations in Banff!
It’s insane how chaotic some of the hot spot tourist areas are. Truly, I’m so thankful I wasn’t the one driving, because it’s madness sometimes.
Finally, the best part is that you’ll get to experience the best of Banff without worrying about any logistics. You can just sit back, relax, and enjoy your day being chauffeured around one of Canada’s most beautiful locations.
Of course, the decision is yours. But, if you have the opportunity to go, I highly encourage it. You’ll be rewarded with such a positive and unforgettable experience that will stay with you for years!
Calgary to Banff Tours Comparison
And since I know it can be hard to remember the differences and nuances between different tours, here’s a little chart with a quick overview!
🏔 PRO TIP: If you’re viewing on your mobile device, I suggest turning your phone so you’re reading the information across the long side. This should improve readability and make life a little easier 🙂
| Tour Name | Duration | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Experience Banff National Park | 8 – 10 hrs | > Fully customizable tour > Direct pick up from Calgary housing > Private tour with only your group |
| Discover Banff National Park – Day Trip | 10 – 12 hrs | > See iconic spots + true hidden gems > Tour guide as personal photographer > Semi-private tour w/ pick up/drop off |
| Icefields Pkwy: Private Day Tour | 10 – 12 hrs | > Fully customizable to your group > Drive along Icefields parkway > Private tour w/ hotel pick up/drop off |
Calgary Airport to Banff
Each of the tours above is great if you plan on calling Calgary your home base and only want to do a day trip to Banff National Park.
That said, I know some people would rather stay in the heart of Banff and then do a tour that begins in Banff. Or maybe you know someone who lives in Banff but they don’t want to drive 1.5 – 2 hours to pick you up from the airport…cause same lol.
Either way, if you don’t plan on renting a car, you’re going to want to book transportation from Calgary’s International airport (YYC) to Banff.
Below are three highly rated transportation options I recommend checking out for easy and direct transport between the two locations!
- Round Trip Transportation from YYC airport to Banff | ⭐️ Rating: 5 / 5
- One-Way Transport from YYC airport to Banff | ⭐️ Rating: 5 / 5
- One-Way Transport from Banff – YYC airport | ⭐️ Rating: 5 / 5
What to Bring to Banff
To ensure you have the best possible experience, here are a few things you’ll want to bring no matter what Calgary to Banff tour you select!
- ❄️ Jacket – Even if your travel plans fall within the summer season, make sure to pack a lightweight jacket or some warm layers. The days may be quite warm but early mornings tend to bring cooler temperatures and it’s often chilly on mountain hikes!
- 🥾 Good Hiking Shoes – You’ll be doing lots of walking and possibly some hiking, so make sure you wear shoes that offer plenty of grip and traction. Plus, the ground can become pretty slippery when wet.
- 🌞 Sunscreen/Sunglasses/Hat – Since the air is thinner in Banff at higher elevations, the sun’s radiation has a more potent effect. Therefore, protect yourself by lathering on sunscreen! I neglected to do this my first day and ended up with blistered, sunburnt lips 🥲
Additionally, sunglasses are an absolute must-bring item because let me tell you — the reflections off of the lake water can also be quite intense!
- 🍎 Water & Snacks — Be sure to bring a reusable water bottle and plenty of snacks! You’ll have the opportunity to grab a meal in Banff Town, but like every other touristy place, prices are heavily inflated. I recommend packing some energy-boosting snacks like nuts, granola bars, and trail mix to tide you over and minimize your chances of becoming hangry!
- 📸 Camera — Last but not least, don’t forget to bring a camera! I’ll be honest, they won’t do the views justice, but they can still capture the feeling in the air and all the memories you make along the way! And regardless, you’ll be thankful for them later on when you get to show off all the amazing things that you got to see and do!
Where to Stay in Calgary
And in case you haven’t figured out where to stay in Calgary, here are a few highly-rated places I recommend checking out. They are all centrally located in Downtown Calgary, so each of the tours I suggested should be able to pick you up from them 🙂
Low-Cost Stay
- Wicked Hostels – Calgary — best hostel that’s clean & centrally located | ⭐️ 8.9 / 10
- The Westley Calgary Downtown — 4-star hotel w/ restaurant | ⭐️ 9.4 / 10
Mid-Range Stay
- Le Germain Hotel Calgary — 4-star hotel w/ spa | ⭐️ 8.8 / 10
- Residence Inn by Marriott — 4-star hotel w/ breakfast & bar | ⭐️ 9.4 / 10
Fancy Stays
- Fairmont Palliser — 4-star hotel w/ indoor pool | ⭐️ 8.8 / 10
- Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire — super family-friendly 4-star hotel | ⭐️ 9 / 10
Feel free to click these buttons to head to your favorite booking platform and see additional housing options there.
Calgary to Banff Tours: FAQ
This is probably a little redundant by now, but YES! You most definitely can do a day trip to Banff!
You’ll be exhausted by the end of the day, but I promise Banff is worth visiting! The views are unmatched and I was practically in a state of disbelief the entire time I was in Banff!
The peak summer season is between June and August, so if you want to avoid the crowds, try and plan your trip for May or September. That said, winter sports enthusiasts or people who enjoy lots of snow will want to visit between October and April for the full winter wonderland effect!
If you can, I recommend spending a couple of days in Calgary. It’s a pretty neat city, and I spent almost two weeks in Calgary thanks to WestJet for canceling my flight and rescheduling it 5 days later.
That said, I know most people only spend 24 hours in Calgary and then continue on their way.
As for time in Banff, I suggest a full 4 days in the National Park. This will give you enough time to see lots of what Banff has to offer without feeling rushed!
The road to Banff is not scary at all! If anything, it’s gorgeous…it’s not Icefields Parkway level of beauty, but it’s so green and beautiful with the towering mountains!
If you’re visiting during the winter season, it can be rough because the snow makes the roads tricky to navigate. But, if you have chains and take your time, it’s not bad.
Wrap-Up: 3 Best Calgary to Banff Tours (2023)
From all the gorgeous lakes and majestic mountain views to the ethereal wildlife encounters and quaint shops, Banff has endless activities for both tourists and locals alike.
And, if you’re only in the city for a few days and don’t have a car, the best way to discover Banff is by going with one of the fantastic Calgary to Banff tours. You’ll be able to sit back and relax as they help you make the most out of your limited time!
So if you’re ready to experience one of the most magical places in Canada, then I cannot recommend visiting Banff enough! And with that, I wish you an incredible time exploring the Canadian Rockies!
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