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Are you looking for the best and most convenient way to get to the Columbia Icefield from Calgary? In this article, we will go over just that!
Transportation is one of those things that can go from seemingly simple to a huge hassle fast. You don’t need that. This is why we have taken our local expertise and put together a list that will make choosing the right option a breeze.
Everything we talk about here we have experience with and the prices and information we provide are accurate and up-to-date. Keep reading and by the end of this, you’ll have your transportation figured out and one less thing to plan!
- The 2 Best Ways to Get from Calgary to the Columbia Icefield
- The Best Tours from Calgary to the Columbia Icefield
- About the Drive from Calgary to the Columbia Icefield
- 12 Best Stops Between Calgary and the Columbia Icefield
- Are there shuttles from Calgary to the Columbia Icefield?
- What is our recommended option?
- Where to Stay in Calgary
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Renting a Car in Alberta
The 2 Best Ways to Get from Calgary to the Columbia Icefield
Tours
The Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield are showstoppers in the Rockies – and that’s saying something in a place as beautiful as this! But, with a 3.5-hour drive (that’s super scenic!), it’s nice to sit back and leave the planning and driving to someone else. We’ve taken guided tours here from Calgary and found we could enjoy the experience more without worrying about navigating or where to stop.
As a bonus, tours usually have cool add-ons already planned out. Our favorite is this 1-day Columbia Icefield tour from Calgary. It packs so many highlights into a spectacular itinerary, including the iconic Ice Explorer ride onto the glacier and beautiful lakes.
Driving
What I love about renting a car is the freedom it gives for this trip! Anytime we go somewhere we always use Discover Cars because their pick-up and drop-off locations are convenient (like Calgary Airport) and they have tons of vehicle options to choose from. I’m partial towards cars myself because they’re cheaper, but they have jeeps, SUVs, and other options that are great, especially for groups of 3 or more.
On average you can expect to pay around $100 CAD per day for a rental. I find it pays for itself with the convenience of setting our own itinerary and it means you can visit all of our favorite stops on the way to the icefield! It also means you can save some cash and book the classic Glacier tour complete with an Ice Explorer ride on the glacier and a visit to the Skywalk.
The Best Tours from Calgary to the Columbia Icefield
Columbia Icefield Adventure 1-Day Tour from Calgary or Banff – (Our Favorite!)
You can choose to do this full-day Icefield tour from Calgary or Banff, and it’s up to you whether or not you want to include the Ice Explorer experience. We would recommend opting in, though, because it’s a blast and an easy way to see the glacier, especially as a day trip from Calgary. Plus, you get to check out some of the highlights nearby like Peyto Lake, the Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, and the Waputik Range.
If you opt in to the Ice Explorer experience, then you also get a lunch break, but you should be aware that this experience doesn’t include the Skywalk due to time restraints. However, it’s a convenient way to visit the Athabasca Glacier from Calgary, which is roughly a 3.5-hour drive away, as it’s a bit too far to get yourself there and back in a single day. Skipping the Skywalk also shortens the day which makes things a bit easier if you’re traveling with kids – who will LOVE the Ice Explorer, by the way!
The tour costs $210 CAD from either Calgary or Banff without the Ice Explorer and $305 CAD with the Ice Explorer. Even if you don’t end up doing the Ice Explorer, it’s a great way to explore the Rockies when you haven’t got your own car, but we do recommend opting in because the Ice Explorer really is the main event, and if you change your mind, you probably won’t be able to secure tickets on the day.
This tour is available on Wednesdays and Saturdays from May to mid-October. The tour leaves from Calgary at 8 am and Banff at 9:35 am.
Book our FAVORITE tour to the Columbia Icefield from Calgary with free cancellation!
3-Day Rockies Classic Tour with Hotels and Transport Included
What I love about this 3-Day Rockies Tour is that it takes care of all the planning for you! If you’re looking for an experience that hits all the highlights of the Canadian Rockies with transport and hotels already figured out, this is for you.
The tour will begin and end at a designated point in either Calgary or Banff. Over the next 3-days, you’ll experience the best the Rockies has to offer with your tour group and guide. I like how they have set up the itinerary and it never seems rushed at any location.
The only two activities that are not included are the glacier walk at the Columbia Icefield and the Maligne Lake cruise. We have done both of these and love them, but if you don’t want to pay extra, you can just enjoy the views for free!
As for accommodation you’ll stay at clean and comfortable 3-star hotels each night with breakfast included. While you’ll stop at great restaurants each day, lunch and dinner are not included so you’ll need to budget a little extra for that.
The price per ticket depends on your group size (up to 4) and if you would like to include the optional experiences at Columbia Icefield and Maligne Lake.
Find all the details and prices and book this 3-day experience here!
Full-Day Tour at Columbia Icefield Glacier with Lots of Bonus Stops
The reason I like this full-day Columbia Icefield tour is because it makes tons of other great stops along the way. It’s perfect for people who want to experience the magic of the glacier and Icefields Parkway, but only have a day to do so.
This is a long day, about 12 hours, so I suggest packing some snacks. Even if you go during the summer bring a jacket and be ready for it to get a little chilly! You’ll meet at a designated pick-up location in Calgary at 7:45 am. However, if you have a group of 5 or more, you can arrange free hotel pickup.
This tour comes with two options, one including the experience of walking on the Athabasca Glacier and one that doesn’t. I highly recommend you upgrade to explore the glacier tour because you get to ride a massive Ice Explorer bus and see it up close! As a bonus the upgraded tour also gives you access to the Skywalk for some epic views.
On top of visiting the Columbia Icefield, you also stop at some of my other favorite places on the Icefields Parkway like Peyto Lake and Bow Lake. Two stunning glacial lakes with amazing colors!
Price varies by group size but for two people this tour with the upgrades costs $380 CAD per person.
Book your tickets here in advance and access the buy now, pay later option!
5-Day Canadian Rockies Tour with Airport Transport and Luxurious Hotel
There are so many things I love about this 5-Day Tour that very few other tours of the Canadian Rockies offer. It costs more, but with almost everything included it practically pays for itself!
This package is perfect for people who want to fly in and not have to worry about anything during their trip. You’ll be picked up from the Calgary Airport and after that, it’s a seamless experience. They even drop you back off at the airport once it’s all over!
I think 5 days is a perfect amount of time to see tons of things without feeling rushed. There are so many great activities here I couldn’t possibly name them all. While some of them, like the Spirit Island Cruise at Maligne Lake, are available at an additional charge you don’t have to do them to have a great time. Although, the Spirit Island Cruise is one of my favorites in Canada so I suggest you check it out!
For most, the highlight will be staying overnight at the beautiful Glacier View Lodge at the Columbia Icefield and taking an Ice Explorer out onto Athabasca Glacier (included). There are very few tours that book you rooms here and it’s an amazing experience.
Breakfast and dinner are included in the price of this tour with the option to upgrade for them to have lunch available for you as well. Price varies by group size, but for two people it costs $1,930 CAD each.
For the perfect Canadian Rockies getaway book this experience 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.
About the Drive from Calgary to the Columbia Icefield
If you would rather drive yourself, I’ve got you covered! What I like about this drive is you have two ways of getting here. The fast route and the slightly longer, but scenic route. Can you guess which I prefer?
Regardless of what you choose, you’ll have to take the TransCanada Highway out of Calgary. Once you reach Banff you can either stay on the TransCanada to save time (the fast way) or venture off onto the beautiful Bow Valley Parkway (the scenic way).
If you stick to the TransCanada Highway, the trip will take you about 3.5 hours one way. If you can afford the time I recommend taking the Bow Valley Parkway for some epic views. All in all, it will only take you about 30 more minutes if you take the scenic route.
Either way, once you reach Lake Louise you’ll hop onto the Icefields Parkway and get ready friends, this is one of my favorite stretches of road. This is the Canadian Rockies you have been waiting for! I say get an early start out of Calgary to make time for stops along here because I have a feeling you’ll want to.
An important note about both the Bow Valley Parkway and the Icefields Parkway – you must have a Parks Canada Pass to drive on them! I will leave everything you need to know in a handy grey box below. Be sure to read it!
One final note, the Columbia Icefield Discover Center does close from mid-October until May. So if you want to visit, make sure to do so on the appropriate dates!
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 $11 CAD
- Senior (65+) is $9.50 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.)
- $22.00 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) – $75.25 CAD
- Senior (65+) – $64.50 CAD
- Group/Family (up to 7 people in one vehicle) – $151.25 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.
12 Best Stops Between Calgary and the Columbia Icefield
1. Calgary
Chances are if you’re reading this guide, you’re staying in Calgary! This is a great place to start a road trip.
Before you leave town, check out our 1-day Calgary itinerary that’s full of ideas. If you aren’t here for long, make time to pop into the Calgary Zoo. It has nearly 1,000 different animals and exhibits. I recommend arriving just before the penguin walk at 10 am daily – it’s adorable!
For the best views (with the mountains in the distance!), head up the Calgary Tower. If you’re brave, step on the glass floor and if there’s time, I recommend a meal at the revolving Sky 360 restaurant.
For a fun way to see the sights, this 2-hour city electric scooter tour passes by lots of iconic sights. Or for the beer and art lovers among us, this 3-hour craft beer and street art tour is my pick.
Related Read: For more great drives in the area, check out our favorite road trips from Calgary!
2. Canmore
Our old hometown deserves a shoutout! It’s one of the best mountain towns in Alberta that isn’t as touristy as Banff and Lake Louise.
If you’re focused on getting to the Columbia Icefield quickly, grab some caffeine and a French pastry that looks more like a work of art from Le Fournil Bakery.
If you’re taking your time on the drive, one of the easiest hikes in Canmore is Grassi Lakes. It’s only 5 km (3 mi) long, so expect it to take 2-3 hours with a huge payoff of a waterfall and two gorgeous lakes.
If you have more time, this Canmore caving adventure tour is super cool, or hop in a raft and gently float down the Bow River.
3. Banff town
Banff is breathtakingly gorgeous, so you’ll enjoy the view even if you stop in briefly! I love the charming downtown area with lots of great places to grab food or do a bit of shopping along Banff Ave.
The best views are from The Banff Gondola and I think the boardwalk at the top is perfect to stroll along and take photos. For a quick stop, check out the Bow Falls viewpoint just a short 1.5 km (0.9 mile) walk (or drive) from town.
Of course, you’ll see the towering Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel that looks like a castle! While staying here is pricey, you can join this food tour that explores the hotel and its high-end restaurants!
And maybe on your way back to Calgary, drop into The Banff Upper Hot Springs for a soak. It’s open late (until 10 pm) and we find the best time to visit to avoid the crowds is in the evenings.
4. Johnston Canyon
As you leave Banff, make a detour onto the Bow Valley Parkway to head to Johnston Canyon. This is an easy hike along a boardwalk to a canyon filled with glacial waterfalls cascading over cliffs. I love that you can get close enough to the waterfalls to feel the spray on your face!
Plus, it’s completely free and there’s a ton of parking. It can get busy, but try to go in the morning or early evening to beat the crowds. We also see lots of families here since the path is wide and not too steep. The entire hike is 2.5 km (1.6 mi) to the Upper Falls, but you can stop at the Lower Falls which is still beautiful!
Note: There will be some closures to vehicle traffic on sections of the Bow Valley Parkway this year (2024). From March 1-June 30 and then again from Sept 1-Sept 30 vehicles will NOT be able to drive the 17 km/11 mi stretch of road from the TransCanada-Highway junction to Johnston Canyon, it will be restricted to cyclists’ use only. This is the eastern part of the road that is affected if you’re traveling to Johnston Canyon from Banff. You will still be able to access Johnston Canyon and the Bow Valley Parkway via the intersection near Castle Mountain Chalets.
5. Morant’s Curve
Stay on the Bow Valley Parkway to head to the popular viewpoint of Morant’s Curve. Park across the highway in the little parking lot and then make a quick stop here.
Hopefully, you time it right to see a train pass by the bend in the Bow River – it makes for a great photo! Trains typically operate every hour or so on weekdays.
6. Lake Louise
Okay, so Lake Louise could be where you spend your entire vacation in the Rockies, so a quick stop here isn’t really enough time to take it all in! I’d recommend planning to be here for at least a few hours or even taking a tour from Calgary to Lake Louise and spending a night or two.
Not only is there a picture-perfect lake, but also a little village and some of the best hikes in the Rockies! My favorite hike is the Lake Agnes Tea House. It’s about 3 hours and decently steep, but there’s a historic tea house to enjoy once you’re done the climb! Of course, you can just walk around the lakeshore of Lake Louise which is gorgeous and not nearly as strenuous.
Get out on the lake in a canoe, ride the Lake Louise Gondola, or check out my full list of activities to do in Lake Louise for ideas! If you’re hungry, grab lunch at The Station, which not only has incredible food but is also inside a historic train museum. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, dine at the Fairview Bar and Restaurant, located in the Fairmont Lake Louise Hotel.
Note: From May until mid-October, you’ll be required to pay $36.75 CAD per vehicle per day to park at Lake Louise Lakefront (2024 updated price). The paid parking is in effect from 3 am until 7 pm daily.
Related Read: If you’re trying to decide where to spend more time, my comparison of Banff vs Lake Louise should help!
7. Bow Lake
As you leave Lake Louise and start the drive along the Icefields Parkway, keep an eye out for a pull-over bay on the side of the highway known as the Bow Lake Viewpoint.
This is a great place to look out on the lake, but you can also be lucky enough to spot wildlife. When Daniel and I were here last, we saw a grizzly bear – see our photo above! We stayed in our vehicle and watched him chomp on some grass nearby.
For more great photos, continue down the highway a little further and turn left towards the Bow Lake car parking lot. There are some short walks and viewpoints here and if the wind is calm, the reflections on the lake are stunning. It even made our list of Instagrammable places to visit in Banff.
8. Peyto Lake
Stretch your legs and take in the Peyto Lake Viewpoint next! It offers the best view of this turquoise lake and the walk is only about 10 minutes from the parking lot to the lookout. It’s a well-marked path and good for all fitness levels and kids too!
The viewing platform was recently renovated and extended so there’s a lot more room than there used to be. There’s also more parking and new public toilets, so this is a good pitstop on the drive from Calgary to the Columbia Icefield!
9. Mistaya Canyon
One of my favorite stops on this drive is at Mistaya Canyon. The 0.5 km (0.3 mi) walk is all downhill from the parking lot to a viewpoint overlooking the canyon. It gives you a front-row seat to the powerful water rushing through. Snap a few photos and then get back in the car as you’re almost at the Icefield!
10. Saskatchewan River Crossing Café, Hotel, and Gas Station
There aren’t a lot of places to eat or fill up on gas along the Icefields Parkway, so here’s your chance! In fact, Saskatchewan River Crossing is the only gas station on the parkway and I’d go as far as to say it’s the most beautiful gas station I’ve ever seen!
There is also a café here that’s a good place to grab a coffee or sandwich and will be a bit cheaper than the food at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Center. There’s also a nice bathroom here you can use even if you don’t want to buy anything.
If you want to spend the night, The Crossing Resort is a nice hotel with gorgeous views. We’ve stayed here before when we were making the drive from Calgary to Jasper.
11. Weeping Wall
The Weeping Wall is simply a viewpoint where lots of tiny waterfalls stream down the side of a mountain making it look like it’s crying or weeping. This is another quick viewpoint and you don’t even need to get out of the car to see it!
12. Athabasca Glacier and Skywalk
You made it! Check out the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Center which has restaurants, washrooms, a glacier gallery, and sells tickets for the Ice Explorer tours that drive out onto the glacier. I HIGHLY recommend buying tickets for the Glacier Experience and Skywalk in advance. We didn’t last time and had to wait for three hours until a spot on a tour opened up!
The tour takes you out onto the glacier in cool “ice buses” where you get to walk on the glacier and fill up your water bottle with pure glacier water. We found out the ice is as thick as the Eiffel Tower, which is pretty crazy to think about!
Then the tour includes a stop at the Glacier Skywalk. While the glass floor hanging out over a cliffside is a little nerve-wracking, the views make it worth it. Plus, the bridge is so strong it can support a 747 airplane!
Book the Ice Explorer and Skywalk Combo Tour here to avoid long waits at the ticket office!
Are there shuttles from Calgary to the Columbia Icefield?
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there aren’t any shuttles that will take you directly to the Columbia Icefield. Your best bet is to take a shuttle from the airport to where you’ll be staying and then organize a trip to the icefield from there.
I suggest this private shuttle if you’ll be staying in Lake Louise or this private shuttle if you’re going to Banff or Canmore. We have used them before and the service is always prompt and professional. The cost depends on how many people you book for, but for two people to get to Banff it’s $280 CAD per person, and for Lake Louise, it’s $350 CAD.
I personally prefer booking private shuttles because I know I have someone waiting for me the moment I get off the plane. Especially when we’re tired, I am willing to pay extra for the convenience! Sure, they are a little more expensive, but they’re super comfortable, flexible, and great if you’re in a larger group. Plus, if you are delayed they will wait for you so you don’t have to worry about missing your ride.
Shared shuttles on the other hand are cheaper but still offer decent airport departure times. Both this shared shuttle to Banff or Canmore and this shared shuttle to Lake Louise, Jasper, and other destinations have multiple departure times making it easy to find a slot that works for you. I highly recommend booking a shuttle that leaves an hour or so after you arrive especially if you need to go through customs. I wouldn’t want you to miss your ride!
Tickets for both are budget friendly with a ride to Banff or Canmore only costing $59-$69 CAD and trips to Lake Louise costing $133 CAD.
What is our recommended option?
Whether you choose to drive or take a tour, our biggest recommendation is to take a tour at the Columbia Icefield to get out onto the glacier and the nearby Skywalk if you can. While it’s a bit wishy-washy we know, we’ve done both a tour and driving ourselves and it’s really just personal preference.
The tours we highlighted in this blog are all well-rated and good picks if you don’t have a ton of time, want to leave the driving to someone else, and have the entire experience planned out.
While driving is a bit more effort, it’s our preferred option. The freedom of spending as long as we like at the stops along the way and not having to stick to a set schedule is more our style.
Where to Stay in Calgary
Calgary is a pretty large city, so you can bet that there are a ton of options when it comes to places to stay! To help you narrow it down, here are some of my top picks for accommodation in Calgary:
Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire – $$$
For a really luxurious stay, you’ll want to check out the Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire, which must have one of the most amazing views of the Bow River we’ve seen in Calgary! The hotel also has its own indoor pool (with a waterslide), a hot tub, a fitness center, a hair salon, and so much more.
You can book a room here at the Sheraton for as low as $246 CAD; however, rooms usually average $300-$400 CAD per night.
Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel and Suites – $$
Our favorite mid-range option is the Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel and Suites, where all rooms come equipped with a full kitchen – great for homemade meals that can save a lot of money! With its very own on-site fitness center, this hotel is also located in the middle of downtown.
Rooms here start at $167 CAD per night, which we think is great value considering the location and breakfast being included too. You can secure your reservation online here.
Wicked Hostels – $
Right in the center of the city is Wicked Hostels, which is a great choice for travelers on a budget. We’ve found this hostel to be super clean, comfortable, and located in a great area too (bonus points from us)! While there technically are cheaper places to stay in Calgary, the location and the reliability of clean dorms here put Wicked Hostels at the top of our budget category in Calgary.
Dorms here start from $90 CAD per night and can be booked online on Hostelworld or Booking.com.
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!
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.
Thanks for reading!
I hope you’re ready for your trip from Calgary to the Columbia Icefield! Whether you choose to hop on a tour or drive yourself, this is one of those stops in the Rockies that you CAN’T miss. We’ve been several times while living in Canmore and I’m always blown away by the views here.
For more helpful guides on the Rockies and beyond, check out our other blogs about Alberta! We have criss-crossed this beautiful province and Bailey grew up here, so we know it well. Here are a few popular blogs to get you started:
25 Absolute BEST Things to do in Calgary in Summer
50 EPIC Things to do in Banff, Canada