Canadian Rockies Arrival and Departure

Traveling to and within the Canadian Rockies

By Michele Kadison

Staff Writer

Rockies.com

Calgary to Banff

There are plenty of options for travel in the Canadian Rockies.

CANADIAN ROCKIES (Rockies.com) – Calgary International Airport is located 75 miles (120 km) from the town of Banff, and is the closest airport in the area.  Modern and spacious, the airport handles international air travel with daily non-stop flights.

Once you have arrived at the airport, it is easy to rent a car, which will provide you with the flexibility you need to enjoy your travels.  Driving from the Calgary Airport to Banff takes approximately two very scenic hours, so you can enjoy yourself once you have cleared immigration and customs.  Plan on taking the drive during the daylight hours so that you don’t miss the sensational mountain views.

Once on the road to Banff, you will be traversing the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy #1).  If you decide not to rent a car, you can take a shuttle service from the airport to Banff.  This is not recommended if you plan on summer travel where visiting the many canyons, lakes and waterfalls is simplified by having your own car.  But if you are traveling to Banff just to ski, the shuttle buses are perfectly suited for getting you to the hotels near the slopes.

Note:  If you have jet lag or land in the evening or at night, plan to stay over in Calgary and continue on to Banff in the morning.  When staying in Calgary, the best area to find a hotel is in the northwest quadrant.

Make sure you read about driving regulations in Canada before you set out.

Other forms of transportation

Sedan Service:  If you prefer a luxury vehicle with a hired driver, this service is available from the airport.

Train: Take the Rocky Mountaineer train across the Kicking Horse Route from Vancouver to Calgary, with a stop in Banff.  You can also take the Rocky Mountaineer’s Yellowhead Route, which connects Vancouver to Jasper.  Fraser Discovery Route connects Whistler and Jasper, and Via Rail has a westbound connection for Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Edmonton to Jasper.  From Jasper you can rent a car or catch a bus to Banff.

Bus: The Greyhound bus line offers scheduled service from downtown Calgary to Banff.  This is an hour and forty-five minute ride once you reach downtown Calgary from Calgary International Airport.

Jasper to Banff

Arrive in the best Canadian Rockies hot spots by bus, plane or train.

From Jasper you can rent a car for the drive to Banff.  You can also take a bus with Brewster, a company that operates from April 15^th through October 15^th.  If you are arriving in  December, you can take the Mountain Connector shuttle bus, which operates from December through the end of April.

Edmonton International Airport

The best way to get from this airport to Banff is by renting a car.  The drive takes approximately 4 ½ hours at 280 miles (450 km).  The most expedient route is to drive south on Queen Elizabeth II Highway to Calgary.  Then go west on the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy #1) to Banff.  If you want to circumvent the traffic in Calgary, turn west before reaching the city.  One option is to go to the south end of Airdrie, the last town before Calgary.  Once you reach the end of the town, turn west to Big Hill Springs Road.  Once you reach the T-junction with Hwy #22, go south.  Drive through the town of Cochrane until you reach the interchange that connects to the Trans-Canada Highway.  Turn west towards Canmore and continue on to Banff.

Vancouver to Banff

A 10 ½ hour drive, not counting stops, the trip is 530 miles (880km).

Note: See our Rockies.com special section on Vancouver travel for more information.

Seattle to Banff

An 11 ½ hour ride of 600 miles (1,000 km), you will need authorization from your car rental company to take the vehicle across the US-Canadian border.  If you are making a one-way trip by flying into Seattle and flying out of Calgary or Edmonton, the fee to pick up a car rented in the United States and drop it off in Canada can be very expensive.  A better option is to take the Quick Shuttle or Amtrak Train from Seattle to Vancouver and rent a car from there.

Kalispell

When flying to Kalispell, you can rent a car and take a circular tour through Montana’s Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies.  Be sure you get the car rental company’s written authorization to take the vehicle across the US-Canada border.  If you don’t want to pay the high drop off cost on a rental made in the US and left in Canada, take the Mountain Perks bus from Kalispell or Whitefish, Montana to Cranbrook, BC or another Canadian town on route.  Once you’re in Canada you can pick up a rental there.

Guided Coach Tours

There are a number of guided coach tours that take you through Banff as you tour the Canadian Rockies.

Flying from Banff back to Vancouver

If you are slightly pressed for time on your return from Banff, the solution is not necessarily to take a flight.  You cannot fly out of Banff, but must drive instead to Calgary and fly out from there.  From Banff to Vancouver takes approximately 5 ½ hours with a two hour drive to the Calgary Airport, the hour it takes to check in for a domestic flight, the 1 ½ hour flight, the 30 minutes to collect your bags, and the half hour to drive to downtown Vancouver.  Driving from Banff to Vancouver will take you double the time, not including stops, but with the advantage of seeing some of the most breathtaking sights imaginable.  If you can drive, it is well worth your time.

But… if you are going to Vancouver from Banff during the winter months, it is best to fly.  Winter road conditions can be treacherous, including the possibility of avalanches, rock slides and blizzards.

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