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In the market for the best shuttles from Calgary to Lake Louise? Well, keep reading because I have all the best options listed below.
Shuttles are the most convenient way to make the trip to Lake Louise, but with so many options out there it can be difficult to find one that fits your needs and budget.
Since we live in nearby Canmore and travel a lot, we’ve taken plenty of shuttles to and from Calgary. In this article, we’ll go over the most cost-effective options we’ve found for every type of traveler, and group size. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have the best shuttle for you picked out and one less thing to plan!
What are the best shuttles from Calgary to Lake Louise?
1. Private Shuttle from Calgary Airport or Calgary Hotels to Lake Louise
I love this private shuttle since it’s just so affordable for what it offers and the people who operate it are absolutely lovely. It may only be a short trip, but a smooth transfer can really set the tone for your vacation!
If you’re traveling in a group (up to 14), I couldn’t recommend this shuttle more since the price per person goes down the bigger your party is. Whenever my family visits, there’s a lot of us so this is always appreciated.
I’m a sucker for door-to-door service and they will pick you up anywhere in Calgary, including the airport, at any time of the day. I especially like that for international flights they meet you just outside the doors of customs which makes them very easy to find. And even if your flight is delayed, they will make sure to be there when you do arrive so there’s no need to stress.
If you do need to make a stop along the way for the restroom, to take a picture, or just stretch your legs they are more than happy to oblige. I also recommend asking them for any local tips and tricks they might have since all their drivers are locals themselves.
I can see why they won Tripadvisor’s Travelers Choice Award for best private transfer. The service is 5-star!
Book this private shuttle here for FREE cancellation!
2. Shared Shuttle from Calgary to Lake Louise (Best budget option!)
This shared shuttle to Lake Louise is a great option for people, solo or in groups, who want to save money, but also have comfort amenities like WiFi and spacious seats during the ride.
What I love about this public shuttle compared to others is that it drops off at tons of locations and hotels in Lake Louise, making the transfer completely stress-free. Picking up from the Calgary Airport or in Downtown Calgary daily, this shuttle has departures from 6:15 am all the way to 6:30 pm.
Once you make it to the meeting point, staff will handle your luggage for you and answer any questions. Luggage is limited to one piece of checked baggage and a carry-on per person, with additional bags subject to extra charges at the discretion of the driver. If you’re bringing any outdoor equipment it can be accommodated, but at an extra cost as well.
If you don’t want to sacrifice comfort and convenience and also want a cheap transfer to Lake Louise, this shared shuttle is an easy choice. And for only $133 CAD it’s a good deal too!
Plus, if you’d like to book transfers to Banff, Jasper, or a return shuttle to Calgary, you can do that too!
Book this affordable shuttle to Lake Louise here!
Related Read: Lake Louise is beautiful year-round! Check out our list of Lake Louise summer activities or plan a visit to Lake Louise in the winter with this list.
3. Round Trip Private Shuttle from Calgary to Lake Louise
This round-trip private shuttle is perfect for those who don’t want to go through the hassle of booking two separate transfers and instead save on a package deal. Ideal for groups, its price per person goes down the larger your travel party is. Family vacation, anyone?
I love how flexible this service is and that it can pick you up anywhere in Calgary (or Lake Louise for the return) at any time. Like it sounds, after a comfortable trip from Calgary to Lake Louise you will already have a return transfer set at no extra charge.
This is convenient since you don’t have to make separate bookings or spend time looking for a return shuttle. After you provide them with your number, they will answer any questions you have and confirm details for your trip.
As with all private transfers the service is top-notch, but these guys go above and beyond and will stop at scenic lookouts on the way to or from Lake Louise. It’s like a mini tour! And with your choice of a van or SUV you can tailor the experience to whatever is more comfortable for you.
Book our FAVORITE round-trip shuttle here!
4. Private Minivan Shuttle from Calgary to Lake Louise
While minivans may conjure up images of soccer moms, all I think of when we’re talking about this minivan shuttle transfer is “Wow, what a deal!” And with a flat rate, what a deal it is indeed! I find this is ideal for small groups (up to 6) who want a personalized experience without breaking the bank.
As you would expect from a private transfer, they will pick you up anywhere in Calgary at any time, no questions asked. If you’re flying in internationally, I recommend providing them with your phone number so you can stay in contact about any changes in travel plans. Flight delayed? No problem! You can be sure they will be there when you do arrive.
After pick-up, you’re in for a stress-free trip to Lake Louise. The minivans are comfortable, the drivers are that special brand of Canadian friendly and there’s plenty of room for you and your luggage.
Okay, that all sounds great, but what about the cost? Well, believe it or not, everything we talked about above is only a flat of $525 CAD. If you have 6 people splitting the cost, it makes it the cheapest option on our list! Like I said, this is a killer deal for groups!
Book this minivan shuttle here to unlock reserve now, pay later!
Related Read: Have some time in Calgary before you leave? Our 1-day Calgary itinerary hits the highlights!
How long is the drive from Calgary to Lake Louise?
On average, the drive to Lake Louise takes about 2 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions.
When you take a shuttle, you’ll stick to the TransCanada Highway for the entire 183-kilometer (114-mile) journey which is by far the fastest route. It may not be as pretty (it still has some great views) as the backroads, but by golly is it effective.
Unless you’re taking a private shuttle, don’t expect any stops between Calgary and Lake Louise. That’s the advantage of a private shuttle is that you can request a stop or two along the way! Cell service can be spotty at points and while some shuttles have WiFi, it’s best to download your podcasts, e-books, or music before you head out.
Things to do While You’re in Lake Louise
Once you arrive in Lake Louise, it’s time to have the best vacation in the Rockies! We have a full list of the best things to do in Lake Louise, but I put together a few of my can’t-miss activities while you’re here.
- Ride the Lake Louise Gondola – The Lake Louise Gondola is the perfect summertime activity, where you can enjoy some amazing views and maybe spot some wildlife too! There are viewing platforms, hiking routes, and even a restaurant at the top, so you can make a day of it. Tickets for the gondola cost $65 CAD per adult and can be booked here.
- Hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House – My favorite hike in Lake Louise is the Lake Agnes Tea House trail. Starting right from the lakeshore, the trail has you hiking high above Lake Louise where you can peer down and see parts of the lake from above. It’s a 7.3 km (4.5 mi) return track that is moderately difficult but not technical at all!
- Walk on a Glacier – Seeing the Athabasca Glacier up close is pretty cool (literally!), so if you can check out this tour of the Columbia Icefield where you get to ride in an Ice Explorer vehicle and drink pure glacier water – what an awesome day trip this was! If you need a ride, this glacier tour includes transport from nearby Banff.
- See the sunrise at Moraine Lake – If you don’t mind being a bit of an early bird, it’s worth the effort to get out of bed to see the sunrise at Moraine Lake! It’s a bit complicated to get to Moraine Lake since the road is closed to public vehicles, so the best options are this private shuttle or taking this award-winning sunrise tour.
- Eat at a delicious restaurant – Located inside The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is an amazing restaurant you just have to try. The Fairview Bar & Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Lake Louise. The location could not be better, as the dining room looks out over the lake. It’s a fine dining location, perfect for a date night or to celebrate a special occasion.
Where to Stay in Lake Louise
Lake Louise Village is a super popular spot to stay in Banff National Park – the best hotels in Lake Louise often book up weeks (if not months) in advance! So to help you plan your stay, here are a few of our favorites, for a range of budgets:
Fairmont Château Lake Louise – $$$
For those with a bigger budget, you can’t look past the Fairmont Château Lake Louise. The hotel sits on the shoreline of Lake Louise with epic views in the most stunning of locations. It is a staple in Lake Louise’s landscape, and you bet the rooms are as luxurious as the exterior makes them seem. They have 6 restaurants, an indoor pool, a spa, a fitness center, and private parking.
Stays at the Fairmont Château Lake Louise can cost as little as $500 CAD a night (although expect to pay $1,000+ in the summer) when you book this luxury getaway well in advance.
Lake Louise Inn – $$
The Lake Louise Inn is a budget-friendly option that’s comfortable and has all the basic amenities. The hotel features an indoor pool, hot tub, onsite restaurant and bar, fitness center, modern rooms, and even apartments for larger groups.
Prices For the Lake Louise Inn start at $130 CAD and you can easily book your stay on Booking.com!
Hl Lake Louise Alpine Centre – $
For budget travelers, the HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre is the best option in Lake Louise Village. The location is right in town, they have a shared kitchen, basic but comfortable rooms, and friendly staff. They have access to a small library, sauna, and a cozy common area with a fireplace. They offer either shared dorms starting at $50 CAD or private rooms starting at $140 CAD. They even have family rooms and a play area for kids.
You can book a stay on either Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
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.
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 hope our top shuttles from Calgary to Lake Louise have helped you find the best transportation for your trip here. Lake Louise is truly one of the beautiful places in Canada and once you arrive, I’m sure you’ll agree! If you’re flying here, Calgary has an international airport, so that’s likely where you’ll land. Luckily these shuttles all offer airport pickup so you can head to the Rockies right away!
As you’re planning a trip to Lake Louise, let us help! We have a huge selection of Lake Louise blogs to help you pick the best activities, restaurants, and tours. Here are a few popular ones to get you started:
35 BEST Things to do in Lake Louise, Alberta
5 BEST Hikes in Lake Louise (that start from the Lakefront!)
ULTIMATE GUIDE to Visiting the Lake Louise Gondola +18 Tips Before You Go