This blog may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more info.
We’ve spent a lot of time exploring the Canadian Rockies, and it’s safe to say they’ve secured a special place in our hearts! Stunning powder-blue lakes, photo-worthy mountain peaks towering in the background, lush alpine forest landscapes, and cute critters roaming around. What more could you ask for?!
There are so many things to do in Banff – it’s truly a Canadian treasure! It’s no surprise then that it’s also one of the most popular spots in the country, with around 4 million visitors annually! Luckily it’s super close to Calgary too. As it’s only 90 minutes to drive from Calgary to Banff, a visit is an absolute must!
Booking a tour to Banff from Calgary means you can just show up and enjoy – no worrying about driving, directions, or missing out on the best activities. You’ll be able to stroll around charming downtown Banff, hang out at coffee shops and cafés, catch a glimpse of the famous Fairmont, or take a chill ride up the Banff Gondola for the best scenery.
If you’re up for more adventure, there’s everything from paddling glacial lakes to exploring canyons, walking on a glacier, and everything in between. Whether it’s for one day or five, you won’t regret spending time in the Canadian Rockies, one of Canada’s most stunning regions!
So read on for our recommendations on the 9 best Banff tours from Calgary so you can explore this mountain paradise!
Why take a tour from Calgary to Banff?
Banff is pretty accessible if you’re traveling in your own car or a rental car, but take a minute to hear us out on why you should consider hopping on a tour instead! For starters, it is way more convenient to jump on a guided tour than do all the planning yourself.
We’ve explored just about every corner of Banff, Jasper, and Yoho, but nothing beats having someone take care of all the planning for you. Figuring out which sites to visit, opening times, driving time, hotels, entrance fees, and parking time slots can get overwhelming quickly!
It really is awesome to have someone narrow it down for you, especially with so many sites to choose from. Guides and drivers will also make readjustments as necessary for bad weather or unexpected closures, which is a huge bonus when life suddenly throws a wrench in your itinerary!
Tours are also perfect for those who only have a little bit of time to explore. Only have a day to spare in Calgary? No sweat – just hop on a day tour and visit some of Banff’s highlights, like this tour to Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway.
Got just a few days to spare? Let someone else plan them, so your time gets spent wisely at the best sites! You’ll spend zero time worrying about all the logistics and more time getting excited about setting your eyes on gorgeous lakes around Banff and mountain peaks!
Another thing we’ve noticed is some visitors are surprised at the cost of rental cars in Canada, and the associated fees, too! Rental cars can get pretty pricy, plus you’ve got to allocate funds to extras like gas, parking fees, and shuttle fees for certain areas, for example, parking at Moraine Lake is no longer available.
When you factor it all in, tours are a way more cost-effective way to visit! Guides and drivers also have a wealth of knowledge about the park (and some of the best advice for secret spots!), so it’s a great way to learn about the area from some of the folks who know it best.
And maybe the most underrated perk of all is that instead of driving yourself and looking for road signs and parking, you’ll just get to kick back, relax, and be totally mesmerized by the unbelievable scenery the Canadian Rockies are so famous for!
Top attractions to visit in Banff on a tour from Calgary
Moraine Lake: Walk up the Rockpile trail and gaze at the powder-blue glacial lake with the Ten Peaks staggering in the background. There are so many things to do at Moraine Lake – hop in a canoe for a closer look, pick one of the many surrounding trails to explore like the Moraine Lake Lakeshore Trail or Larch Valley Trail (spectacular if you visit in autumn), or pop into the super cute Snowshoe Café!
Lake Louise: The poster child of Banff, Lake Louise has epic blue hues and towering mountains, with the iconic Fairmont Hotel overlooking it all. Canoe, hit the Lake Agnes Tea House trail, summit one of the surrounding mountains, or just hang out at the dock and take it all in! If you’re here during the colder months, there’s no doubt that Lake Louise in winter is a top-rated ski destination, so if you love to slay those slopes, definitely check it out!
Banff town: The perfect little mountain town to explore! Visit awesome bars and restaurants on Banff Ave like the Rose & Crown, get a blast from the past at the Banff Park Museum, or enjoy a brew with a view at the Three Bears Brewery and Restaurant.
Icefields Parkway: Consistently ranked as one of the most scenic drives in the world, the Icefields Parkway offers 232 km (144 miles) of amazing views with scenic spots like Athabasca Falls and Peyto Lake. And don’t forget about the jaw-dropping views at the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield to check out along the way!
Yoho National Park: A Rockies favorite, Yoho National Park will spoil you with beautiful lakes, waterfalls, towering mountains, and over 400 km (248 miles) of trails ranging from easy strolls through alpine forests to challenging hikes up mountain summits.
Our FAVORITE Tour of Banff From Calgary
Whether you’re in Banff in summer or winter, I highly (highly) recommend trying out this full-day Banff tour. With passionate guides, one of the best itineraries we’ve seen on a tour in Banff, and stops at some incredibly scenic locations, what more could you ask for?
You can purchase tickets online for this tour here, costing just $185 CAD per person – great value for money considering it’s a 10-hour tour if you ask me!
Best Tours to Banff from Calgary
1. Lake Louise and Yoho National Park full-day tour
If Banff and Yoho National Parks are calling your name, this full-day tour of Lake Louise and Yoho is an awesome way to see them both. An extra bonus of this tour? You won’t have to worry about parking at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, which is super limited and requires pre-planning if you’re in a rental!
These tours operate year-round, and summer visitors will take in the unreal blues of Banff’s Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, Yoho’s famous Emerald Lake, and the incredible Natural Bridge rock formation along the Kicking Horse River. Don’t underestimate the winter scenery, though; the snowy mountain ranges are jaw-dropping, and snowshoeing on the lakes is something you’ll never forget.
What we loved about this tour was that they gave us ample opportunity to explore each stop, so we could hop on short trails around Lake Louise, find the perfect photo op, or just find a quiet spot to take in the beauty of the parks.
Pickup in Calgary is at the Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel, and this tour runs between 8–10 hours (depending on whether you start in Calgary or Banff) and can accommodate groups of up to 50 guests. The friendly guides do an awesome job of pointing out places of interest and sharing historical tidbits about the park.
This tour costs $164 CAD per adult and $143 CAD per child (ages 6-15), with your ticket including park entrance fees, gratuities, and a comfy air-conditioned ride! You can select your dates and grab your tickets online here.
Related Read: We had a blast putting together this list of all the fun things to do in Lake Louise in summer!
2. Discover Banff National Park – day trip
For an amazing day out seeing all of the top spots in Banff National Park, it doesn’t get much better than this full-day Banff tour. It’s an absolute blast no matter what time of year you decide to visit!
We were blown away by the carefully crafted itinerary on this tour, and were delighted to see it has a maximum group size of 10 people, perfect for a personalized tour of this stunning destination!
Our guides were so passionate about all of the areas we were visiting – it was honestly infectious! Along the way they were cracking jokes, telling fascinating stories, and of course, they’re always there to lend a hand when you need someone to hold the camera too.
Your guide will take you to all the best spots, including some real hidden gems. We visited Lake Minnewanka, Castle Mountain, and the beautiful town of Banff. There’s also a trip to Canmore scheduled into the trip, and if your group is up for it, a stop at the stunning Lake Louise.
We loved just how customizable the trip was, you can always let your guides know what you’d prefer to do, and they’re happy to accommodate, or you can just go with the flow!
Depending on where you’re staying in Calgary, pickup and drop-off may be included in the rate or at a small extra cost. Tickets for this awesome experience cost $185 CAD, which we think is an awesome deal considering all transport is included! However, this does mean that the tour is quite popular, so don’t delay and secure your dates online here.
3. Columbia Icefield adventure
You’re in for a real treat with this Columbia Icefield full-day tour, as you journey through some of the most stunning landscapes in Alberta to the amazing Columbia Icefields! It’s hands down one of the most beautiful drives in North America, and we’re certain you’ll agree.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy as you visit the top sights along the Icefields Parkway, including the Waputik Range, Bow Lake, and the Crowfoot Glacier. Our eyes were permanently glued to the windows, how could they not be with views as beautiful as these?
But the absolute best highlight of this tour for us was the visit to the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest non-polar icefields in the world. So what’s so special about this place, you may ask? Well, it’s here that you have the option to upgrade your tour to include a ride on the all-terrain Ice Explorer, where you then cruise along the Athabasca Glacier.
You even get to stop off on the way for a walk on the glacier too, which was so, so cool!
Although this tour has a maximum of 50 participants, we didn’t find it crowded at all, with the guides doing a great job of making everyone feel a part of the tour and answering any questions we had. The tour itself operates between May and October, with tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so make sure to plan accordingly!
Tickets for this tour cost $200 CAD without the Ice Explorer tour, however, we seriously recommend you make the most of this opportunity and add this on for a mind-blowing experience! The entire trip, with admission on the explorer tour, costs $299 CAD. You can check availability and book your tour here.
Related Read: Can’t get enough of beautiful mountains and frozen glaciers? Here are more of our favorite Icefields Parkway tours.
4. Icefields Parkway private tour
We love hopping on tours and meeting new people, but sometimes it’s nice to go on your own private tour, too! This Icefields Parkway private tour is a pretty awesome way to experience the world-famous Icefields Parkway, with stops at major Banff highlights like beautiful Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Bow Lake, Bow Summit, Peyto Lake, and Mistaya Canyon.
You’ll also get to explore Columbia Icefields Discovery Center, where you can learn about the glaciers for which the Icefields Parkway is named. In our opinion, it’s one of the major highlights of the area!
One of the best parts about this particular tour is that it’s your private experience, so you can also request customized stops to see the sights you want to see or maybe spend a little extra time in some places. Your group can jump on the comfy van in either Calgary or Banff and this tour can accommodate between 2-14 guests, so it’s an excellent option for families or groups of friends.
Tickets for this tour vary depending on numbers, from around $650 CAD per person for smaller groups to $525 per person if you’re going for max capacity. Tours are approximately 10–12 hours long, but since you aren’t doing any of the driving or worrying about logistics, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the ride in between stops.
The price includes park entrance fees, but remember you’ll have to pay extra for activities like the Glacier ice walk, canoe rentals, and lunch and snacks. You can book your very own private tour of the Icefields Parkway here.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here!
5. Lakes, glaciers, and thrilling peaks private tour
Personalized tours give you an amazing sense of freedom, letting you hand-pick your destinations while taking away stressful responsibilities like driving, parking, and filling up on gas. This exclusive private tour gives you a fascinating inside look into the cultural heritage of the Icefields Parkway, with some truly spectacular sights along the way!
With pickup from both Calgary and Banff, the tour itself lasts between 6 and 11 hours depending on where you’re staying. It’s also the only open-air Jeep tour in Banff! Our guide on the trip was Jerzy, who instantly showed his knowledge by taking us to some hidden and beautiful lakes with barely any tourists around.
There’s a minimum of two guests and a maximum of three on this tour, so you really do have one-on-one time with your guide every step of the way! What we like most about their itinerary is that they emphasize getting outside and connecting with nature by taking a stroll on the trails in and around the lakes to escape crowds.
The itinerary is full of incredible locations, including the top spots like glacier-fed Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Bow Lake, but it also adds Peyto Lake, Herbert Lake, and the Saskatchewan River Crossing. Of course, as it’s a private tour, you can also customize it to your liking – or better yet, ask your guide for some suggestions to switch it up if you’ve already been to one or two of the locations.
This is also an awesome tour to take in the wintertime, with tons of optional activities you can jump in on, like ice skating on the lakes, snowshoeing, or just gazing at the towering mountains glistening with snow.
Tickets start at $335 CAD per person and you can check your dates and secure your spot online.
6. Canadian Rockies 2-day tour
Itching for more than one day to explore Banff and Yoho? We can’t blame you – we’ve spent countless days exploring here and still can’t get enough! This Canadian Rockies 2-Day Tour is the perfect way to explore Banff National Park, with one night spent in a comfy hotel, before checking out Yoho National Park the next day.
We think that’s a pretty awesome deal, especially considering you get to enjoy the major highlights of each park without doing the driving, parking logistics, or pre-planning! Day 1 starts off strong at Sulphur Mountain for an optional ride up the Banff Gondola (you can add this on!), then onto grabbing some photos in charming downtown Banff.
The afternoon is filled with natural attractions like Bow Falls, Hoodoos Trail, and Johnston Canyon, with lots of time to explore each one before you check in to your hotel in Banff. Day 2 is just as awesome, with stops at the Spiral Tunnels, along the Continental Divide at Emerald Lake, and the popular (for good reason!) Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on your way back to the starting point.
Park entrance fees, accommodation, and tour guides are all included in your ticket, but you’ll have to grab your own food in Banff and optional extras like the Banff gondola ride are an additional cost.
This tour runs year-round, so there might be slight adjustments when certain sites are closed for the winter, but they’ll sub in somewhere just as awesome, and you’ll get to try snowshoeing at Johnston Canyon for free! Ticket prices for the full package (including the gondola ride) do vary depending on the number of adults who join, with it costing $465 CAD per adult based on a group of 4.
Enjoy two amazing days in the stunning Canadian Rockies by booking your spot on this 2-day tour here.
Related Read: Did you know that there are actually four incredible gondolas in Banff National Park?
7. Rockies 4-day tour from Calgary
We love Banff and Yoho National Parks for their epic beauty, but the slightly quieter neighboring Jasper is also packed with mountain vistas, serene lakes, and a charming small town that are well worth a visit. So, why not amp it up and jump on a 4-day Rockies tour?!
If you’ve got the time and budget, this trip is an excellent way to explore what the Canadian Rockies is all about. Geared towards those visiting from outside of Calgary, it includes a pickup from the Calgary Airport and a hotel for the night, so you’re taken care of from the get-go!
On Day 2, you’ll start heading towards the Rockies and sites like the Columbia Icefields and Peyto Lake, taking the Icefields Parkway all the way to Jasper, where you’ll spend the night. Meals aren’t included in the tour, but we have a few favorite restaurants in Jasper you should definitely check out!
Day 3 stops off at popular spots like Medicine Lake, Maligne Lake, and Maligne Canyon before making your way to postcard-worthy Banff town to explore and spend the night. On the last day, the big hitters like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Emerald Lake come out to play as you slowly make your way to the drop-off point.
You can end this tour in a few different locations like Banff or Calgary, or you can also get dropped off at the airport where you started (make sure your flight is after 9:30 pm, though!).
Tickets start at around $700 CAD per person for a group of 4 and include 3 nights’ accommodations, park admission, airport pickup, a comfy ride with an awesome driver, and a knowledgeable tour guide. Guests pay for food, snacks, and any extra activities, so remember to factor that in! You can book your spot on this private tour here.
8. Banff, Jasper, and Yoho 5-day Fairmont experience in the Rockies
If you’ve got a little extra time and want to explore at a slower pace, then this Banff, Jasper & Yoho 5-Day Tour is ideal for you!
After an overnight stay in Calgary, you’ll head off to Banff to check out popular spots like Bow Falls, Hoodoos Trail, and the beautiful Sulphur Mountain. The star of the show on this day, hands down, has to be your stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, also known as the “Castle of the Rockies”!
This is easily the most luxurious hotel in Banff, with two incredible pools, and a relaxing spa with 27 treatment rooms! And don’t even get us started on the views – they are literally to die for. When you’re feeling peckish, there are also 12 restaurants, bars, and pubs for you to choose from, including the amazing 1888 Chop House!
After a super relaxing night’s sleep, it’s time to enjoy a grand total of 6 beautiful stops on Day 3! Two of our favorite stops on this day are at Bow and Peyto Lake, as gazing out at the turquoise waters is nothing short of mesmerizing! But hands down, our favorite moment has to be the stop at the Columbia Icefields, where you can add on experiences like the Columbia Icefields Skywalk or Ice Explorer tour (driving out onto the glacier!).
Making your way up the incredibly scenic Icefields Parkway, you’ll settle in for the night at Banff’s chill neighbor, Jasper. Day 4 includes 4 unique stops at some of Jasper’s most impressive attractions, giving you time to explore Medicine Lake, Maligne Lake, and the bridges and trails deep in Maligne Canyon!
You’ll head back to Banff for the night, then end the last day on a high note with 6 stops, including time at Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Emerald Lake. You can end this tour in a few different locations, so they’ve got you covered whether you’re hanging out in Banff for longer or going back to Calgary to hop on your flight.
We think this tour is a pretty great option if your time and budget allow it, as it really lets you experience so much of the parks without feeling like you’re being rushed from one place to the next. Plus, this tour starts from the airport pickup, so all you have to do is grab your flight, hop on the bus, and then the rest is taken care of!
The price per person drops the more people who come on the tour, and you can include up to 4 people in your booking, so it’s perfect for small groups and families. For 2 adults and 2 children, tickets cost $1,590 CAD per adult and $740 CAD per child. Accommodation for 4 nights, park admissions, tour guides, and super comfy transport are all included as well!
Make the most of this amazing opportunity to deep dive into some of the best areas in Banff, Jasper, and Yoho – you can select your dates and book your tour online here.
Related Read: If you’re looking for more flexibility for your Banff trip and you’re flying into Calgary, these are all the options to get from the Calgary Airport to Banff!
Travel Insurance is more important than ever right now!
If you’re traveling during these uncertain times, be sure that you have travel insurance!
SafetyWing is our go-to insurance when we are going on longer trips. They offer travel medical insurance that’s super affordable (only $45 USD per 4 weeks!) and even have coverage in case you get that dreaded c-word. The only thing to note is that the insurance must be purchased once you’ve left your home country – we typically buy it as soon as we land at the airport.
We’ve personally used SafetyWing for many different trips, and we’ve been reimbursed for countless expenses when we’ve fallen ill. SafetyWing even covered our flights back to Canada in full when the pandemic first happened (when last-minute flights before the borders closed were super expensive!)
It’s safe to say that travel insurance has saved us thousands over the years!
9. Lake Louise and Abraham Lake (winter only)
If you have the opportunity to visit Banff in the winter, you’re in for a real treat! This full-day tour runs exclusively during the wintertime, as this is when you’ll see Lake Louise and Abraham Lake in all their frozen majesty.
We began our day on this tour with pickup from the Banff Aspen Lodge, but the tour also picks up guests from Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel & Suites too! A short time later and we were standing in front of our gorgeous first destination! Lake Louise in winter really is a special sight, with the snow blanketing the mountains, the trees … everything!
While you’re here, you’ll visit the very famous Lake Louise Ski Resort, which really has a ton of stuff to do! On this tour, you have the option of purchasing the basic package or the upgraded package, with the latter including a ride on the gondola at Lake Louise or the opportunity to go snow tubing. It’s great fun for the whole family and highly recommended if your budget allows it.
If you decide to opt for the basic package, you’ll have two hours to check out any of the available activities nearby, like going for a scenic walk down the nearby trails. Of course, any paid activities must be paid for separately.
Abraham Lake is your next destination, and we were delighted to find a tour that could take us to this scenic area, as it’s a little bit more remote, being just outside of the Banff National Park. That’s why it’s so great to go as part of a tour, you don’t need to worry about parking or the driving aspect at all!
You know, when I first saw Abraham Lake in winter, I couldn’t help but think of that cute yellow fish called Bubbles from Finding Nemo! As the water freezes over, the methane bubbles get trapped in the layers of ice, which creates a unique spectacle you just have to see for yourself.
Another optional activity you can add on to this tour is to include a jaw-dropping helicopter ride over Abraham Lake. This really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this magical, bubbly wonderland from up high, so if you’ve got the budget for it, we highly recommend it!
With a maximum of 25 participants per tour, this experience doesn’t feel crowded at all, with plenty of time to get to know your friendly guides as you explore. The basic tour package costs $160 CAD for adults and $142 CAD for under 15s, a great deal, not least considering the price of gas at the moment!
This really is an unmissable experience if you’re visiting during the wintertime, so don’t delay and secure your dates online here.
Parks Canada Pass Quick Info
If you plan on spending time in Canada’s national parks (including Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Kootenay, and more) then you’re going to have to pay for a Parks Pass.
Single Daily Admission:
This type of pass is valid for one person for one day. It is ONLY the best value if you are traveling alone and only plan to visit a national park for a couple of days.
- Adult (ages 18-64) is $10.50 CAD
- Senior (65+) is $9.00 CAD
- Youth/Child (17 or younger) is FREE
Group Daily Admission:
If you’re traveling in a group or with family, you can buy a single-day admission for your entire vehicle (up to 7 people in one vehicle.)
- $21.00 CAD gets your entire vehicle entry for one full day
Parks Canada Discovery Pass
The “Discovery Pass” is what Parks Canada calls their year-long (365 days from the purchase date), multi-park entry pass. This pass will give 365 days of access to all participating national parks in Canada. This includes the most popular parks like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke, and so much more.
- Adult (age 18-64) – $72.25 CAD
- Senior (64+) – $61.75 CAD
- Group/Family (up to 7 people in one vehicle) – $145.25 CAD
Hot Tip: Although more expensive up front, if you plan on spending more than 7 days in different parks in Canada within a 12-month period, then the Discovery Pass is actually the better deal!
Parks Canada Passes can be bought online here or at one of the Visitor Centers or booths at the entrance to many national parks.
Thanks for reading!
I really hope that our guide to the best tours in Banff from Calgary has given you some fresh ideas for planning your next trip! The Canadian Rockies will always hold a special place in our hearts, and I’m sure they will for you too.
Feel free to leave a comment below and let us know what you’ll be getting up to when you’re over here! We’ve also included three more blogs below that we think will be helpful for your journey. Safe travels!
Where to Stay in Banff National Park – Pros and Cons of 5 Different Areas