From Calgary Airport to mountain paradise. Here's how.
Best overall: Shuttle (Brewster Express or Banff Airporter) - $75-150 CAD, reliable, stress-free
Best for flexibility: Car rental in summer - explore at your own pace
Skip: Uber - expensive, unreliable availability, drivers often decline
Winter: Take the shuttle. Seriously. Highway 1 is dangerous in winter.
Highway 1 between Calgary and Banff is one of the most dangerous stretches of road in Canada during winter. Black ice, sudden snowstorms, and whiteout conditions cause numerous accidents every year.
Our recommendation: Take the shuttle November through March. It's safer, cheaper when you factor in parking, and you can enjoy the scenery instead of white-knuckling the steering wheel.
All the ways to get from Calgary to Banff
| Option | Cost | Time | Winter Safe? | Flexibility | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚐 Shuttle Brewster/Airporter |
$75-150 CAD | ~2 hours | ✓ Yes | Low | Solo travelers, winter, budget |
| 🚗 Car Rental | $50-100/day + $20-30/day parking |
~1.5 hours | ⚠️ Risky | High | Summer trips, families, road trips |
| 📱 Uber/Taxi | $150-250 CAD | ~1.5 hours | ⚠️ Limited | Medium | Last resort, small groups |
| 🚙 Private Transfer | $200-400 CAD | ~1.5 hours | ✓ Yes | High | Groups, luxury, families |
| 🚌 Public Bus Roam Transit |
~$10 CAD | 3+ hours | ✓ Yes | Very Low | Ultra-budget travelers |
Everything you need to know about each option
The most popular and practical way to get to Banff. Professional drivers who know the road, comfortable coaches, and door-to-door service.
✓ Most established, reliable service
✓ Comfortable coaches with WiFi
✓ Direct hotel drop-offs
✓ More frequent departures
✓ Slightly cheaper
✓ Good for flexible schedules
Great for summer road trips when you want to explore at your own pace. Stop at viewpoints, visit Moraine Lake early morning, take day trips to Jasper.
| Rental (3 days) | $180-300 |
| Parking (3 nights) | $60-90 |
| Gas | $50-80 |
| Winter tire upgrade (if applicable) | $15-25/day |
| Total | $290-495+ |
Compare to shuttle: $150 round trip, no parking stress
If you must rent in winter:
Yes, you can technically Uber from Calgary to Banff. But should you? Probably not.
For those who want the convenience of a car without the driving. Professional drivers, comfortable vehicles, and personalized service.
Once you're there
Banff town is very walkable. Most hotels, restaurants, and shops are within a 15-minute walk of each other.
Local buses connect Banff town to Canmore, Lake Louise, and Johnston Canyon. $2-10 per ride. Great for car-free exploring.
Free shuttles to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in summer (reservation required). The only way to access Moraine Lake without a car.
Available for shorter trips. Useful for getting to trailheads or late-night returns. Book ahead in peak season.
What everyone asks
About 1.5 hours by car in good conditions, 2 hours by shuttle (includes stops). In winter storms, it can take much longer or roads may close entirely.
Uber operates in Calgary but service to/in Banff is very limited. Don't count on it for your return trip. Book a shuttle or arrange a taxi.
Not necessarily. Banff town is walkable, Roam Transit connects major areas, and Parks Canada runs shuttles to Lake Louise/Moraine Lake. A car adds flexibility but isn't essential.
Shuttle companies usually accommodate delays if you contact them. Book with a company that has multiple daily departures so you can catch a later one if needed.
Yes! Some visitors take the shuttle to Banff, then rent a car for a day to visit Moraine Lake or drive the Icefields Parkway. Best of both worlds.
You've got the transport sorted. Now plan the rest.