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Looking for the best Moraine Lake tours? You’ve come to the right place!
We’ve had the chance to explore this turquoise gem more than once—in fact, we even got engaged here! So we know better than anyone that how you visit makes all the difference.
The access road to Moraine Lake is closed to private vehicles, making getting there without a tour a headache and a half. Fortunately, there are some fantastic tour options out there, whether you want to chase the sunrise here or pair your visit to the lake with an epic road trip along the jaw-dropping Icefields Parkway, there’s a perfect tour out there for you!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE Moraine Lake Tour was this combined lake and Banff adventure! We took in Moraine Lake’s crazy-blue water, strolled the dreamy shores of Lake Louise, and even caught epic Fairmont Hotel views in Banff!
Check out the 12,000+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
- Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
- Best Moraine Lake Tours
- 1. Sunrise tour to Moraine Lake, including Lake Louise
- 2. Top-rated Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and other Banff sights tour
- 3. Moraine Lake Bus Company
- 4. Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Icefields Parkway full-day tour
- 5. Small group Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Banff tour with extra time at each stop
- 6. Hop on hop off bus tour
- Top Activities to do in Banff
- Where to Stay in Banff
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Renting a Car in Alberta
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Best Moraine Lake Tours
1. Sunrise tour to Moraine Lake, including Lake Louise
- Duration: 7 hours
- Time: Between 4 am and 5:30 am, depending on the sunrise time
- Highlights: Watching the sunrise at Moraine Lake, exploring Lake Louise, option to enjoy a canoe ride or hot breakfast at Lake Louise, photography tips
- Inclusions: Transport, Moraine Lake access fee, local photographer guide, water refills, use of head torch, onboard cooler, hot chocolate, tea, coffee, blankets
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 120+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check prices here!
Waking up before dawn might sound crazy, but trust me, this Moraine Lake sunrise tour is so worth it! I honestly felt so happy as I stood there wrapped in a blanket with a hot chocolate in hand as I watched the first light of the day spill over the Ten Peaks and onto the vivid blue lake. “Magical” doesn’t even begin to describe it!
Moraine Lake is one of the most photographed lakes in the world, so having it all to ourselves was a truly surreal experience. And since the lake is closed to private vehicles, this tour is one of the only ways to experience sunrise there!
And as if that weren’t enough, after enjoying the sunrise, we headed to Lake Louise. I had visited many times before, but getting there early before the tour buses and crowds arrived was a totally new experience.
In the soft morning light, the water was as smooth as glass and reflected the Victoria Glacier perfectly. Our guide even shared some photography tips to help us get the best possible photos.
This tour is the ultimate way to experience Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. It’s a bucket list-worthy experience, and one that I’ll never forget! Do not miss this tour while you’re in Banff.
Book this epic sunrise tour here, before it sells out!
Related Read: If you need some help planning the perfect Banff trip, check out our detailed 3-day itinerary, which will guide you through all the highlights, hidden gems, and things to eat!
2. Top-rated Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and other Banff sights tour
- Duration: 8–10 hours
- Time: Pickup between 7:45 am and 9:20 am
- Highlights: Visiting Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, free time on Banff Avenue, Surprise Corner, Bow Falls, and Lake Minnewanka
- Inclusions: Pick up and drop-off in Banff, Calgary, or Canmore, expert local guide, Moraine Lake entrance fee, small group size
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 1,400+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check prices here!
If you’re short on time but want to experience the absolute best of Banff, this award-winning tour is the one to book. We joined the full-day trip from Calgary and were blown away by how much we got to see, without ever feeling rushed!
Our guide, Deniz, was incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about the area. He kept the group small and personal, which made it easy to ask questions and connect with fellow travelers. Plus, he had a great eye for photography and helped us get those once-in-a-lifetime shots at every stop!
We hit all the iconic spots. Standing on the Rockpile at Moraine Lake, looking out over that glowing turquoise water, was absolutely magical, and exploring Lake Louise is always a pleasure. We also loved the extra stops like Surprise Corner, which offers jaw-dropping views of the Fairmont Banff Springs, and the peaceful vibes at Lake Minnewanka. Really, it’s no surprise that this tour has over a thousand 5-star reviews!
The van was spacious, clean, and air-conditioned, which made the drives between stops super comfortable. The fact that we didn’t have to worry about parking or shuttle chaos was a huge bonus! Honestly, it can be so stressful.
This tour packs a ton into one unforgettable day, blending must-see highlights with off-the-beaten-path charm. It’s the perfect way to explore Banff if you’re on a tight schedule but still want to see it all. I’d book it again in a heartbeat!
Book our FAVORITE Moraine Lake tour here, with free cancellation!
3. Moraine Lake Bus Company
- Duration: Flexible
- Time: Multiple pickup times between 4 am and 4:55 pm
- Highlights: Seeing Moraine Lake and Lake Louise at your own pace, convenient shuttle service, options to visit at sunrise or daytime, pre-bookings to avoid long wait times
- Inclusions: Pick up and drop-off from Lake Louise Village or Lake Louise summer gondola, easy online booking system
- Free cancellation: No, but free modifications to your booking up to 24 hours in advance are included
- Price: Check prices here!
Our favorite way to get to Moraine Lake without a tour is by using the Moraine Lake Bus Company. This shuttle service is really convenient and helps you avoid the super long lines for the Parks Canada shuttles.
Booking a shuttle is extremely easy via their website, and they offer a wide range of dates and times. While you can often grab a last minute seat, I highly recommend booking ahead since the best timeslots book up first!
You can choose between visiting Moraine Lake at sunrise (a super popular option that usually sells out!) or during the day, with the option to include a one-hour stop at Lake Louise. This is the only shuttle service that makes visiting for sunrise possible, and trust me – you don’t want to miss it!
The shuttle will pick you up from Lake Louise Village or Lake Louise Summer Gondola and you’ll schedule your return shuttle time when booking. When we took the Moraine Lake Bus Company shuttle last time, it was so nice to have a reserved seat and return time at the end of the day. We walked by the HUGE line-up for the Parks Canada shuttle and were so happy to not be stuck in it!
After taking this shuttle ourselves, we were impressed by how smoothly their operation ran and found it to be the most convenient way to visit Moraine Lake on our own.
Check availability and book the Moriane Lake Bus Company here!
Related Read: If you need some more activities to add to your itinerary, have a look at our top 10 favorite things to do in Banff here!
4. Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Icefields Parkway full-day tour
- Duration: 8–9 hours
- Time: 9 am
- Highlights: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, road trip along the Icefields Parkway, Bow Falls, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, Peyto Lake, small group tour
- Inclusions: Hotel pick up and drop-off in Banff and Canmore, transport, professional driver, guide
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 700+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you’re short on time but want to experience everything iconic about the Canadian Rockies, this full-day tour is the way to do it. We did this tour from Banff, and I couldn’t believe how much we saw in a single day!
We started the day at Lake Minnewanka, where we learned about the summer village that’s submerged beneath its surface—how crazy is that? Then came the classic stops: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. No matter how many photos you’ve seen, they just don’t compare to the real thing.
We had plenty of time to explore and even climbed the Rockpile at Moraine Lake to enjoy the postcard-perfect view that used to be on Canada’s 20-dollar bill!
But what made this tour stand out was cruising along the Icefields Parkway and checking out some of its most scenic spots. We especially enjoyed visiting Peyto Lake, which is an electric blue lake shaped like a wolf’s head, and Crowfoot Glacier was another major standout.
What also made this tour special was our guide, Robbie. He was so funny and informative, and he was really in tune with our group’s energy. I loved hearing all of his stories about working and camping in Banff National Park.
This tour is such a fun and easy way to explore both Moraine Lake and the gorgeous Icefields Parkway. It’s definitely the best one to choose if you’re short on time. No wonder it has over 700 5-star reviews!
Check availability and book this full-day tour 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.
- 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.
5. Small group Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Banff tour with extra time at each stop
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: 7:30 am or 8:30 am
- Highlights: 1.5–2 hours at Moraine Lake, 2 hours at Lake Louise, 1–3 personalized stops in Banff National Park
- Inclusions: Transport, local guide, water refills, onboard cooler, Moraine Lake access fee, customized itinerary
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 400+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check prices here!
This tour is an epic way to experience Moraine Lake and Banff National Park without the chaos and crowds that come with the usual bus tours. It really felt like a personalized adventure rather than a cookie-cutter itinerary!
Of course, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake were breathtaking. We got nearly two hours at each lake, which gave us plenty of time to hike, take photos, and rent a canoe at Lake Louise. It was so much fun!
But what really set this tour apart for us was the fact that our guide took us to three secret spots in Banff National Park afterwards! Our guide, Jess, picked them according to the conditions of the day and what our group wanted, and she did a great job. It felt really personal.
We ended up visiting a hidden canyon trail, a peaceful viewpoint over a glacial valley, and a lakeside spot where we saw bighorn sheep grazing. But what you see might be totally different! Either way, it really felt like we were getting insider access to Banff’s best-kept secrets.
That personalized touch made the day unforgettable. Jess shared tons of fascinating facts about the region, and she even made us hot chocolate at one of the viewpoints! This tour allowed us to enjoy the two lakes to the fullest and then glimpse a side of Banff that most people miss. It was so worth it!
Book this tour here and enjoy FREE cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!
6. Hop on hop off bus tour
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: 7:45 am
- Highlights: Cruising around Banff National Park on a yellow school bus, visiting Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Lake Louise Gondola
- Inclusions: Hop-on hop-off bus tickets, live commentary, on board host to help you plan your day, guaranteed seating
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 600+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you want to see Banff’s greatest hits without stressing over parking or logistics, this hop-on hop-off bus tour is the way to go. Touring Banff National Park on an iconic yellow school bus is so much fun and adds some nostalgia and novelty to an already epic day out.
But the hop-on hop-off bus is also just a super convenient way to get around. We didn’t have to worry about figuring out directions or finding parking at busy spots, and we loved being able to spend as much or as little time at each stop as we wanted. It basically combined the freedom of independent exploration with the ease of a guided tour.
There’s even a super friendly host on board each bus who’s there to help you plan out your day and give you advice on exploring each stop. It really couldn’t be easier!
In just one day, I managed to hike Johnston Canyon, grab a coffee at the Chateau Lake Louise, ride the gondola, and see Moraine Lake. Honestly, seeing that bright blue water and the towering peaks around it was worth the trip all on its own.
This tour really is like a golden ticket to Banff’s top spots. But fair warning, it sells out fast! So if this sounds like your kind of adventure, be sure to book it ASAP.
Grab your spot on this tour here before it sells out!
Top Activities to do in Banff
Moraine Lake is breathtaking in person, but there’s so much more to explore beyond just snapping a few photos! To make the most of our time, we filled our days with unforgettable adventures—from epic lake tours to exploring Banff’s wild side. Here are some of our favorite experiences that made the trip truly unforgettable.
- Ride the Banff Gondola – Taking this Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain was a highlight of our trip! We booked this easy admission ticket and soared straight to incredible 360° views. At the top, we explored the summit boardwalk and even checked out the rooftop observation deck!
- Climb the Via Ferrata – This Via Ferrata adventure was next-level amazing! We clipped in, crossed a suspension bridge high above Banff, and scaled rocky cliffs with insane views the whole way. Our guide made everything feel super safe—and honestly, it was such a rush!
- Take a wildlife tour – Exploring Banff’s wild side was a trip highlight! We joined this award-winning small group tour and spotted elk and deer while cruising to gorgeous spots like Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner, and Bow Falls. Such an unforgettable adventure!
- Walk on a glacier – This Columbia Icefield tour was such an adventure! We rolled out onto the Athabasca Glacier in a massive Ice Explorer and even got to walk right on the ice. Then it was onto the Glacier Skywalk, where the glass floor and insane views totally blew us away!
- Explore Banff by canoe – Gliding down the Bow River on this massive canoe tour was such a fun way to experience Banff’s beauty! Our guide kept the trip light and lively with stories about the area, and spotting wildlife along the riverbanks made it even better.
Where to Stay in Banff
Banff National Park is full to the brim with great hotels and hostels – it’s pretty exciting, but it can also be a little overwhelming when deciding where to stay! Of course, cost is a big factor when deciding on your accommodation, as well as comfort and all the amenities on offer.
From hotels in Banff town to ones that are a little more out in nature, we’ve put together a list of our favorites for each budget category:
Fairmont Banff Springs – $$$
The Fairmont Banff Springs is easily the most luxurious hotel in Banff. As you can expect, it’s not cheap but the place is simply incredible – it seriously looks like a castle! If you’re visiting Banff on a honeymoon then this should be the hotel you choose.
Inside the hotel, you’ll find 11 restaurants, 14 shops, a bowling alley, bars, a top-rated spa, a couple of pools, and so much more. With so much to do in this one-of-a-kind luxury hotel, you’ll honestly feel like you’ll never want to leave!
Rooms here at the Fairmont start from around $600 CAD a night, but can exceed the $1-2k CAD range in peak season. For the best deals, it’s best to book as far ahead as possible! You can check prices and room availability online here.
Banff Rocky Mountain Resort – $$
For those with a mid-range budget, the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort has a beautiful swimming pool, hot tub, and gym, and all the rooms come equipped with kitchenettes or full kitchens. We’d say this is the perfect option for families since two and three-bedroom units are also available.
The hotel is also in a good location that’s just a 5-minute drive away from town, so it’s a great place to enjoy the wonderful peace and quiet of the Banff countryside!
Rooms here average around $500-600 CAD per night in the high season, but dip as low as around $129 CAD in the low season. You can check availability and book Banff Rocky Mountain Resort online here.
Banff Inn – $$
Rooms at the Banff Inn have a very affordable price tag, but are also chock-full with all the amenities you could want to have a great stay! This way, you can splurge on those once-in-a-lifetime tours and experiences that make a trip to Banff so memorable.
The hotel is located right on Banff Ave and all rooms are air-conditioned. Inside, you’ll find a hot tub, steam room, and sauna, as well as a restaurant and bar – perfect for a little bit of relaxation after a long day out exploring Banff.
Rooms here start at $143 CAD, but don’t forget to book the Banff Inn well in advance as this is one of the most popular hotels in Banff!
Samesun Banff Hostel – $
For folks looking to save some cash while having a blast in Banff, it’s worth checking out the Samesun Banff Hostel. It’s a great place for backpackers or anyone who’s fine with making some new friends and doesn’t mind sharing a dorm. But if you’re keen on privacy, keep in mind that there aren’t any private rooms available here.
A bed in a dorm here starts from around $45 CAD, including breakfast, and can be booked on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Important info: Accommodation in Banff can be tricky. For starters, you need to book well in advance if you want to have a large selection. I suggest booking a place ASAP! Using Booking.com is great too because lots of hotels offer free cancellation, so just lock in a place (or two) for now and make the final decision later!
Related Read: If you’re still wondering where to stay, have a look at our detailed guide here. It breaks down all of the best areas and hotels so you can find the perfect one for you!
Renting a Car in Alberta
If you’re arriving in Alberta via plane then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough! Canada is a large country and traveling between cities and even just getting out to some of the best places to visit in Alberta requires transport. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.
Renting a car will definitely make exploring all of the fun things to see and do in Alberta easier.
Car rental in Canada isn’t super cheap, but it isn’t overly expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with pickup and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. For car rentals, I use the website DiscoverCars.com. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Read our honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
Check availability and prices on Discover Cars here!
Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter). Using Motorhome Republic you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada, and you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! Check out my review of Motorhome Republic here for tips before you book.
And if you’re planning to camp but don’t want to splurge on a huge RV, we highly recommend Smile Campervans. Based in Calgary, this local company provides compact campervans fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and affordable road trip adventure!
In fact, Smile Campervans has actually given us a special discount code for our readers! Use the code DESTINATIONLESSTRAVEL at checkout to get 5% off your campervan rental! Click here to browse availability, prices, and book with our discount code!
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!
We love Moraine Lake and know you will too! While it can get busy, it’s absolutely worth the visit. Taking a tour really is one of the best ways to experience everything this iconic spot has to offer, and we hope this guide helped you find the perfect one.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other Banff travel blogs for more tips, inspiration, and must-do adventures!