Explore Banff National Park Car-free
One of the best things about Banff National Park is how a visitor can take a “choose your own adventure” approach to exploring the park. No two travellers are alike, and in Banff and Lake Louise you can experience the mountains in your own way, making each day entirely different from the one before. Visitors can travel here in a multitude of different ways and many of those is not dependent on having your own vehicle.
Whether you have your sights set on hiking for the day or seeing one of Banff or Lake Louise's famous landmarks, many of the hotspots in Banff National Park can be accessed using public transit. Not only is this an affordable means of travelling, but by reducing your carbon footprint, you are also doing your part to help protect the pristine environments in the national park.
Ready to hop on board? Here are your options:
PARKS CANADA SHUTTLES
Lake Louise Lakeshore
This summer there is a daily shuttle service between the Lake Louise Park and Ride on the Trans Canada Highway, the Village of Lake Louise, and Upper Lake Louise.
Shuttles run daily from May 17 to October 14, 2019.
For fares and scheduling information visit Parks Canada.
Lake Louise Village and Campground
New in 2019, a free daily shuttle will be available between the Lake Louise Park and Ride, the village of Lake Louise, and the Lake Louise campground.
Shuttles leave from the campground every 15 minutes between 8:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Moraine Lake Shuttle
A daily shuttle will be available from May 24 to October 14, 2019 between Moraine Lake, the Lake Louise lakeshore, and Lake Louise Park and Ride.
New in 2019, an earlybird shuttle will be available from June 24 to September 29 for visitors wanting to get an early start on their day. Space is limited so arrive early.
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.
Bus Routes
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 Upper Hot Springs, Banff Gondola, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site (seasonal).
Within Banff National Park
Starting May 17, 2019, Roam Transit will run buses out to Lake Minnewanka. Leaving from the stop outside the Banff Community High School, these buses will run 7 days a week and stop at campgrounds and popular day-use areas on the Minnewanka Loop. This route will be running until the fall.
Check out Roam Transit for all schedule and route information.
To Lake Louise
In summer 2019, Roam Transit will offer routes to Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise via the Bow Valley Parkway and Highway 1. You can choose between the direct or scenic routes which both make getting to Lake Louise easier than ever.
To 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).
HOP ON BANFF
Looking for a car-free travel option that lets you venture further into Banff National Park? New to the Banff scene is HopOnBanff!
Getting aboard is easy. Travellers simply need to book their day passes on the HopOnBanff website and tell them which day you'd like to ride on! With your day pass, you can hop on and off the bus wherever you like. All buses return to Banff after their last stop.
Bus Route
- Johnston Canyon
- Lake Louise Gondola
- Lake Louise Village
- Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
- Moraine Lake
Check out Hop on Banff for all schedule and route information.
Ready to plan your trip activities? Check out all the Things to Do in Banff and Lake Louise. For a wide variety of accommodations, check out Places to Stay.
Are you coming to Banff National Park?
Make sure you purchase your Parks Canada Discovery Pass in advance for express entry into the park. All of the details, including frequently asked questions can be found in our Guide To The Parks Canada Pass.
For more information on visiting Banff National Park, please visit with ExploreThePark.ca.
