HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO BANFF & LAKE LOUISE IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES?
GET TO THE ROCKIES SOONER – FLIGHTS TO THE CALGARY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (YYC)
If you want to fly to Banff and Lake Louise, the closest airport is located in Calgary, Alberta. Frequent direct flights connect Calgary International Airport (YYC) to many cities cross Canada, the US, UK, and the rest of the world. From there, the town of Banff is an easy 90 minute drive along the all-weather, four-lane Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy #1). Lake Louise is a scenic 45 minutes further west.
Frequent airport transfer services are available between Calgary International Airport and Banff-Lake Louise hotels – this can be booked with your package with our reservations specialists.
FLYING TIMES
The cities below offer direct flights to Calgary/Banff (YYC)
| CITY | FLIGHT TIME | Halifax, NS | 5h 29m |
|---|---|
| Ottawa, ON | 4h 25m |
| Montreal, QC | 4h 40m |
| Toronto, ON | 3h 40m |
| Vancouver, BC | 1h 25m |
| Winnipeg, MB | 2h 20m |
| Chicago, IL | 3h 25m |
| Dallas, TX | 3h 40m |
| Denver, CO | 2h 30m |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | 6h 18m |
| Houston, TX | 4h 29m |
| Los Angeles, CA | 3h 15m |
| CITY | FLIGHT TIME | Minneapolis, MN | 3h 2m |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | 4h 45m |
| Phoenix, AZ | 3h 3m |
| Palm Springs, CA | 3h 9m |
| San Francisco, CA | 2h 46m |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 2h 17m |
| San Diego, CA | 3h 22m |
| Seattle, WA | 1h 34m |
| Amsterdam, Netherlands | 9h |
| Cancun, Mexico | 6h 5m |
| London, England | 9h 5m |
| Paris, France | 9h 15m |
| Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | 4h 45m |
DRIVING TIMES
From Calgary, the town of Banff is an easy 90 minute drive along the all-weather, four-lane Trans-Canada Hwy (Hwy #1) and Lake Louise is a scenic 40 minutes further west. This divided highway is a direct and easy commute from Calgary with no mountain passes or twisting curves.
| CITY/TOWN | DRIVING DISTANCE |
|---|---|
| Calgary to Banff | 126 km (78 miles) |
| Calgary to Lake Louise | 185 km (115 miles) |
| Edmonton to Banff | 415 km (258 miles) |
| Vancouver to Banff | 850 km (528 miles) |
| Banff to Lake Louise | 59 km (37 miles) |
| Banff to Jasper | 292 km (181 miles) |
| Banff to Revelstoke | 283 km (175 miles) |
GROUND TRANSFER OPTIONS
Airport Shuttle
Frequent airport transfer services are available between Calgary International Airport and Banff and Lake Louise hotels – this can be easily booked with your online-package or directly through our reservations team.
Hire a Car
Calgary International Airport has many car rental services available so you can explore on your own terms. Enjoy free parking throughout Banff and Lake Louise, but don’t forget to purchase your Park Pass when entering Banff National Park.
Within the National Park
Free ski shuttle service is included with every SkiBig3 Lift Ticket, so you can get from your hotel to all ski resorts with ease.
Learn more about your air transfer options.
GETTING AROUND BANFF AND LAKE LOUISE
Banff and Lake Louise are extremely easy to get around. The main shopping and dining district of the town of Banff is within easy walking distance of many hotels. In addition, several Banff lodging properties include a complimentary pass for their guests on the ROAM regional bus service.
Included in every SkiBig3 Lift Ticket is complimentary ski shuttle service that runs regularly to all three ski resorts. This makes getting to and from the ski areas easier than ever. Leave the driving to us!
ROAM BUS Public Transit
While Banff can easily be experienced on foot, there is also the Roam bus service, Canada’s first all-hybrid electric community bus service, to expedite your movement around town. Bus tickets are sometimes included with your accommodation, and Roam now features a bus route to the neighbouring town of Canmore. Taxis are also easily found throughout town.
For more public transit information, schedules and maps, visit the Roam Public Transit website.
FROM OUR BLOG
More about Banff & Lake Louise
Checklist: 11 Steps to Plan your Banff and Lake Louise Ski Trip
Girls Weekend in Banff and Lake Louise: The Ultimate Guide
How to SkiBig3: 4 Easy Arrival Steps
