Explore Banff National Park Car-free
Your summer mountain adventures are waiting for you in Banff National Park and exploring with public transport is the best way to see more. Spend more of your day paddling, exploring hiking trails, or trying something new, rather than hunting for parking. Wander beyond the townships of Banff or Lake Louise and enjoy the ride to your next adventure and hotspot.
Ready to discover more of Banff and Lake Louise? Here are your options:
Getting Around Lake Louise with Parks Canada
Lake Louise Lakeshore
Get to the lake with ease with daily shuttle services between the Lake Louise Park and Ride and the Upper Lake Louise parking lot.
Shuttles run daily from May 14 - October 11, 2021, every 15 minutes from 8 a.m. - 6:20 p.m. Reservations are required to guarantee a seat on the shuttle.
Lake Louise Village and Campground
A free shuttle service between the Lake Louise Campground, Lake Louise Park and Ride, and the village of Lake Louise.
Shuttles run daily from May 21, 2021 – October 11, 2021, every 30 minutes from 8:00 a.m. - 8 p.m. Reservations are not required.
Moraine Lake Shuttle
Spend less time finding parking and reserve your spot on the daily shuttle to Moraine Lake.
Shuttles run daily from June 1, 2021 - October 11, 2021, every 20 minutes from 8:10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. The last shuttle to return from Moraine Lake to the Park and Ride is 7:50 p.m. To guarantee a spot on the shuttle, reservations are required.
An early bird shuttle will be available from June 21 to October 11, 2021, for visitors wanting to get an early start on their day. Services are available from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., departing every 30 minutes. Reservations are required for this service.
Lake Connector
If you’re keen to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in one day, from June 1, 2021 - October 11, 2021, you can catch the Lake Connector Bus. Simply present your purchased shuttle ticket for a free ride between the two iconic lakes.
Shuttles leave from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 9:40 a.m. - 6 p.m. from Moraine Lake to Lake Louise.
Tip: If you want to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, catch Roam bus 8X from Banff to the Lake Louise Village. Then transfer to the Parks Canada shuttle to get you to the Lake Louise Park and Ride. You can then connect to either the Lake Louise shuttle or the Moraine Lake shuttle (Reservations required). If you’re exploring late in the day, make sure you don’t miss the last services.
Reservations
Starting April 28, 2021, reservations for Parks Canada shuttles will be available. Additional seats may be released 48 hours prior to departure. To guarantee a seat to get to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, reservations are required.
For fares and scheduling information visit Parks Canada.
ROAM TRANSIT
Banff’s official municipal transport is Roam Transit, a fleet of eco-friendly hybrid buses that run on electrical power for their in-town circuits. It’s hard to miss these buses: they come wrapped in beautiful images of local wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, and bighorn sheep. And thanks to a GPS real-time information system that keeps you up-to-date on wait times, you’ll never be left guessing when the next bus will arrive.
For passengers travelling with gear in tow, Roam Transit buses are outfitted to transport your equipment, too! Bikes, skis, snowboards, and strollers can all be brought on board or secured to the exterior of the bus. Passengers requiring wheelchair access will find these buses equipped with a fold-out ramp and low floor.
Starting at just $2 for an adult one-way fare, you’ll want to roam everywhere. For contactless boarding of Roam, ensure you download Token Transit and pre-purchase your tickets.
In Banff
The Roam Transit Banff Local Routes have the town well-covered, so you can access all the sought-after locations, including the Banff Gondola, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site (seasonal).
Tips: As a registered camper, catch the LOCAL Roam transit for free FROM the Tunnel Mountain Campground to the town of Banff.
Lake Minnewanka
From May 21, 2021 - September 19, 2021, Roam Transit will run buses to Lake Minnewanka. Leaving from the stop outside the Banff Community High School, these buses will run daily and stop at campgrounds and popular day-use areas on the Minnewanka Loop.
Lake Louise & Johnston Canyon
Choose between direct or scenic routes to Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon this summer. Take the 8X up the Trans-Canada Highway for an express option. If you’re wanting to visit both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, transfer to the Park and Ride (From the Lake Louise Village) to explore more with Parks Canada shuttles. If a visit to Johnston Canyon or scenic journey is more your jam, the journey up the Bow Valley Parkway on the 8S or 9 is spectacular (reservations required).
Moraine Lake
Roam transit will offer services from Banff to Moraine Lake from September 2021 – October 2021. This is the perfect option for those wanting to spend the day around Moraine Lake and hiking.
Canmore
The Roam Banff-Canmore Regional Route goes to nearby Canmore, where you can access additional amenities, restaurants, and outdoor activities. Don’t forget you can bring your bike! That means you can ride the bus to Canmore and ride your bike back to Banff on the Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail, a scenic 22 km (13.7 mi.) paved route adjacent to the Trans-Canada (Hwy 1). Be prepared, there is a limit on bike spaces, you may have to peddle both ways!
Tours of Banff National Park
Did you travel to Banff and Lake Louise via a shuttle? Don’t feel like driving for the day? Why not join a tour to get the most out of your day. Choose from half-day tours of the aqua lakes, or travel further to Yoho National Park and view the spray of Takakkaw falls. It’s the perfect way to learn more about Banff National Park,
Are you coming to Banff National Park?
Plan ahead before visiting Banff National Park. Reserve shuttles, accommodation, and restaurants where possible. Purchase your Parks Pass in advance for express entry into the park.
For more information on visiting Banff National Park, please visit with Explore The Park
