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Looking for the best tours of Banff from Calgary? You’ve come to the right place!
Having been to Banff many times, we realize how difficult it can be to plan a trip to the Canadian Rockies. It’s a busy place, and dealing with driving and limited parking can be very stressful! This is why the easiest and most fun way to experience Banff is on a guided tour.
At only 90 minutes away, Calgary is the perfect starting point for a tour to Banff. Because of this, there are tons of options to choose from, making picking the right tour overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created the guide below to help you find the absolute best Banff tour for your time and budget!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE Banff tour from Calgary is this full-day adventure that takes you to all the iconic spots—Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Banff Town, and more—with a great guide, relaxed pace, and zero planning or stress!
Best Banff Tours from Calgary
1. Banff and Yoho National Park Full-Day Tour
- Duration: 8 to 11 hours
- Time: 7:30 am
- Highlights: Explore 2 Canadian National Parks; marvel at Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Emerald Lake; enjoy free time in Lake Louise Village
- Inclusions: A/C transportation, professional guide/driver, admission fees
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If Banff and Yoho National Parks are calling your name, this full-day tour is one of the best ways to see both—without the hassle of driving or dealing with impossible parking at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake!
This tour runs daily and hits all the iconic stops: the brilliant blue waters of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake (in summer), Emerald Lake in Yoho, and the stunning Natural Bridge rock formation. In the colder months when Moraine Lake is closed, you’ll visit Marble Canyon instead. And as a bonus, the last stop of the day is a visit to either Banff Ave or the stunning Bow Falls.
We loved that we had plenty of time at each stop to wander the lakeshore, stretch our legs on short trails, and soak up the scenery without feeling rushed. It’s a super convenient way to visit all the bucket-list spots in both Banff and Yoho National Parks.
Pickup is from the Delta Hotels Calgary Downtown, and the 11-hour tour includes national park entrance fees and comfy air-conditioned transport. With over 200 great reviews, it’s no wonder it books up so quickly!
Check availability and book your National Park adventure online here!
2. Banff Town and Banff Lakes Day Trip
- Duration: 8 to 10 hours
- Time: 7:45 am
- Highlights: Special access to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise, free time to explore Banff Ave, see Bow Falls and Lake Minnewanka
- Inclusions: A/C transportation, professional guide/driver, admission fees
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 1,500+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
For an epic day out in Banff, this full-day tour from Calgary is one of our favorites! It covers all the must-see spots like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake (in summer), Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, and downtown Banff—all without the stress of planning or navigating.
We loved that this tour hits so many highlights: Lake Louise’s sparkling turquoise waters, the dramatic peaks surrounding Moraine Lake, Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, and a stop in the charming town of Banff. In winter, Moraine Lake is swapped out for Marble Canyon, so it’s still a great option year-round.
Our guide was super knowledgeable and full of energy—sharing fun facts, cracking jokes, and taking amazing photos for us along the way. It honestly felt like exploring with a fun local friend! The itinerary is well-paced with plenty of free time at each stop to wander the trails, snap photos, and just soak in those jaw-dropping views.
The tour includes hotel pickup in downtown Calgary, park entrance fees, and comfy A/C transport. It runs daily and gets rave reviews—so if Banff’s on your bucket list, this is one tour worth booking in advance!
Read the hundreds of 5-star reviews and secure your spot here!
Related Read: Looking for some other great things to do while in Calgary? Have a look at our favorite activities here!
3. Columbia Icefield Day Tour
- Duration: 14.5 hours
- Time: 6:15 am
- Highlights: Ride the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier; take in epic views from the Columbia Icefield Skywalk; visit iconic spots along the Icefields Parkway like Lake Louise & Peyto Lake
- Inclusions: A/C transportation, guide/driver, Ice Explorer ride, Skywalk admission, lunch
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 70+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
We were in for a real treat with this Columbia Icefield full-day tour, as we got to journey through some of the most stunning landscapes in Alberta to the amazing Columbia Icefields!
It was so incredible to see the top sights along the Icefields Parkway, including the stunning Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, and the Crowfoot Glacier. Our eyes were permanently glued to the windows the whole time— How could they not be with views as beautiful as these?
But the real highlight for us was getting to walk on the Athabasca Glacier. You hop aboard the giant Ice Explorer (basically a monster truck for glaciers!) and ride out onto the ice where you can actually hop out and stand on the glacier. It’s such a surreal experience!
This tour also includes access to the Glacier Skywalk—a glass walkway that extends out over the Sunwapta Valley. The views from up there were incredible, and it was such a unique way to take in the surrounding mountains.
We really appreciated that it was a small-group tour, which made the day feel easy and personal. It runs daily from June to mid-October and includes transport from Calgary, a buffet lunch, and all entry fees, making it a super convenient and stress-free day!
You can check availability and book this tour here!
Related Read: Can’t get enough of beautiful mountains and frozen glaciers? Here are more of our favorite Icefields Parkway tours!
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.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- 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! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
4. Private Canadian Rockies Tour
- Duration: 6 to 8 hours
- Time: 7 am
- Highlights: Cruise around in a private open-air jeep, customize the itinerary to your liking, see highlights like Lake Louise and Peyto Lake
- Inclusions: Private guide, private transportation
- Rating: 5 stars (check 80+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you want to explore Banff at your own pace (without the stress of driving, navigating, or parking), this private day tour is the way to go! With just two or three guests per tour, it’s super personalized, and having a local expert like our guide, Jerzy, made all the difference.
He picked us up in Calgary in a unique open-air Jeep and instantly took us off the beaten path to beautiful lakes and scenic viewpoints with barely another soul around. That’s the beauty of a private tour—your guide knows the best spots, how to avoid the crowds, and can tailor the day to your interests. Whether you want to hike, photograph, or just chill by a glacier-fed lake, it’s totally up to you.
We visited big-name highlights like Lake Louise and Peyto Lake, but also stopped at hidden gems, scenic trails, and even the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. Jerzy shared so many interesting stories and local insights—it felt like exploring the Rockies with a knowledgeable friend.
This tour runs on select summer days and tends to book out, so we recommend reserving early if you’re after an unforgettable, stress-free, and personalized day in the mountains!
Book your private Canadian Rockies experience and check out the glowing reviews here!
5. 5-Day Banff, Jasper, and Yoho Experience
- Duration: 5 days (4 nights)
- Time: Multiple pick up times available
- Highlights: Visit the highlights of Banff, Yoho, and Jasper national park; stay the night at the famous Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, drive the iconic Icefields Parkway
- Inclusions:
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check out the great reviews here)
- Free cancellation: No
- Price: Check price here!
If you’ve got some more time to spare and want to explore the Rockies at a slower, more luxurious pace, this 5-day Banff, Jasper & Yoho tour is perfect!
After a night in Calgary, we kicked things off in Banff with highlights like Johnston Canyon, Sulphur Mountain, and Bow Falls—before checking into the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. This place is absolutely stunning, with castle-like charm, epic views, a dreamy spa, and 12 restaurants to choose from (1888 Chop House was our fave!).
Over the next few days, we visited all the must-see lakes like Peyto, Bow, Moraine, Louise, and Emerald. We cruised up the Icefields Parkway, walked the Glacier Skywalk, and had the option to ride the Ice Explorer out onto the Athabasca Glacier (which we highly recommend!). Jasper didn’t disappoint either, with stops at iconic spots such as Maligne Lake, Medicine Lake, and Maligne Canyon.
This small-group tour never felt rushed and gave us tons of time to really soak in the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. It includes 4 nights of hotel stays (including the Fairmont!), national park fees, transport, airport pick-up, and an awesome guide—so all you have to do is show up and enjoy!
You can book this ultimate 5-day tour online here!
Why take a tour from Calgary to Banff?
Calgary is the gateway city to the Canadian Rockies and home to the closest international airport to Banff. It’s also much more affordable to stay in than the National Park itself, which makes it a great base for day trips into the mountains.
While renting a car is an option, we’ve found guided tours are often the better experience—and better value! Planning a Banff trip on your own means dealing with logistics like driving, parking (which isn’t even allowed at Moraine Lake anymore!), and navigating ever-changing conditions. On a tour, all of that is taken care of for you, so you can just sit back, relax, and soak up the views. Plus, local guides know all the best spots (including a few hidden gems) and can adjust the itinerary on the fly if weather or closures pop up.
When you factor in the cost of rental cars, gas, parking fees, and the time spent organizing everything, a tour ends up being not just easier, but often more cost-effective, too!
Should I book my Banff tour in advance?
Banff is a VERY busy place during the warmer summer months, and for that reason, you should definitely book your tour in advance! Most tours book up very quickly, so you must secure your spot so you don’t miss out on these incredible experiences.
When you book with Viator, most of the tours we mentioned above have a 24-hour cancellation policy. This means you can secure your spot risk-free, and cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund in case your travel plans change!
Click here to learn more about our favorite Banff tour from Calgary!
Other Activities to do While in Calgary
Now that your Banff adventure is sorted, it’s time to see what else Calgary has to offer! As Alberta’s largest city, Calgary is full of fun things to do. To help you make the most of your visit, here are a few of our favorite activities in the city:
- Explore on a bike – Biking is one of our favorite ways to explore Calgary! You can cover way more ground than on foot, and it’s such a fun way to see the city’s top sights. We recommend this awesome guided tour, which follows the Bow River and takes you through scenic parks, historic neighborhoods, and vibrant downtown streets, with plenty of fun facts from your local guide along the way.
- Go river rafting – For a relaxing outdoor adventure right in the city, you can’t beat rafting down the Bow River! We had such a blast on this self-guided rafting experience—you’ll paddle past Calgary’s skyline, float through peaceful parklands, and soak in some sunshine along the way.
- Day trip to the Badlands – If you’re up for a unique adventure, this full-day tour to Alberta’s Badlands is a must! We loved exploring the dramatic landscapes of Horseshoe Canyon, the quirky hoodoo rock formations, and the Royal Tyrrell Museum—home to one of the world’s best dinosaur fossil collections. This day trip makes it super easy to explore the area with round-trip transport, a fun guide, and plenty of time to wander each stop.
- Taste craft beer – Calgary’s craft beer scene is booming, and the best way to experience it is on this guided beer and street art tour! You’ll explore some of the city’s coolest neighborhoods, sip local brews at top-notch breweries, and check out vibrant murals along the way. It’s the perfect mix of hops and culture!
Where to Stay in Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is a large city, so there are plenty of places to stay. The trick is to pick a hotel with a great location, depending on the activities you plan on doing. Most of these activities are in the downtown area, and if these hotels are still available, they will be your best options!
Fairmont Palliser – $$$
For the most luxurious stay in Calgary, check into the Fairmont Palliser! Part of the iconic Fairmont franchise, this upscale hotel is situated in the heart of downtown. You can enjoy the on-site restaurants, spa, and indoor pool and hot tub – perfect for those cold winter days!
The rooms are modern and fit with high-end furnishings, whether you book a double room or a king suite. They also offer city or courtyard views, so you can relax and take in the views from the comfort of your room.
Prices start around $400 CAD per night and can be booked here on Booking.com.
Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire – $$
For luxury travelers, check out the Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire. This hotel overlooks the river valley and comes with an indoor pool (with waterslide), hot tub, fitness center, hair salon, and gift shop. Obviously, the rooms are extremely beautiful and the views are spectacular, plus it’s located very close to downtown!
Rooms start around $260 CAD and can be booked on Booking.com.
Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel and Suites – $
A fantastic mid-range budget option is the Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel and Suites. The suites have a full kitchen, perfect for homemade meals, which can save you a lot of money. The rooms are beautiful, breakfast is included, and they even have a fitness center. On top of that, the hotel’s location is ideal, in the middle of downtown.
A night’s stay here starts at $175 CAD and can be booked on Booking.com.
For more options, see all of Calgary’s hotels here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
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!
25 Absolute BEST Things to do in Calgary in Summer
5 BEST Moraine Lake Tours from Calgary to See All the Highlights!