Do You Need a Car in Banff? Complete Guide With AND Without a Car in Banff
Banff National Park is one of the most stunning destinations in the world, but it’s also a spendy one. If you’re planning a trip, you may be wondering (& trying to save money anyway you can)…Do you really need a car in Banff? The answer depends on your travel style, how much you want to see, and whether you want maximum convenience or don’t mind a little planning.
In this guide, we’ll break down visiting Banff with a car vs. without a car, plus tips to make the most of your trip no matter your choice.
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Visiting Banff Without a Car
With some prior planning, it’s entirely possible to enjoy Banff without renting a car. You’ll save A LOT of money on a rental and still be able to see most of the top sights. Here’s a guide to seeing Banff WITHOUT a car.
Getting to Banff without a Car
The easiest way is to fly into Calgary International Airport (YYC) and take a shuttle bus directly to Banff, with companies like Banff Airporter, Brewster Express, or On-It Transit offering daily service that takes about 1.5–2 hours.
The Brewster Express starts at CA$66.75 (one way) and departs 8-9 times a day (depending on the season).
There are also many options for shared and private shuttles on Viator or GetYourGuide!
Getting AROUND Banff without a Car
After arriving in Banff and checking into your hotel, there are several options for getting around Banff without a car.
1. Parks Canada Shuttles
If you are hoping to see the famous nearby lakes, you can definitely do so without a car (in fact, cars aren’t even allowed at Moraine Lake anymore). The Parks Canada Shuttle brings you from the Lake Louise Park and Ride to the lakes with a bit of prior planning.
First and foremost, you MUST book the shuttle in advance as they always sell out. The main release typically happens in the spring (April 19th in 2025), with additional seats released on a rolling basis at 8:00 a.m. (local time/MDT) two days before your planned visit.
Note! I was able to secure tickets two days beforehand, but I made sure to log on RIGHT at 8:00 am, and I had to keep refreshing the screen until some became available.
You’ll select a departure window from the Lake Louise Ski Resort park-and-ride, and once booked, your shuttle ticket includes round-trip transportation and flexibility to return on any shuttle later in the day.
Demand is EXTREMELY high, so having an account set up ahead of time, logging in early, and being flexible with dates can significantly improve your chances of securing a spot.
Secondly, since you will not have a car to get to the Park and Ride Parking lot, you must also plan your transportation to the lot using the Roam Transit (Roam Bus Route 8X). More details on Roam are listed below!
2. Roam Transit (Public Bus)
For first-time visitors, using Roam Transit is one of the easiest and most stress-free ways to get around Banff and nearby destinations.
Roam buses connect Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, and select trailheads with clean, reliable service that’s designed specifically for visitors without a car (see all routes here). Routes are clearly labeled, schedules are posted online and at stops, and drivers are used to helping tourists figure out where to get off.
You can buy tickets with exact change on the bus, using the app, at the vending machines, or in person at the visitor center. Many routes run frequently during peak travel seasons, making it simple to explore the area without worrying about parking restrictions, traffic, or navigating unfamiliar mountain roads.
3. Tours and Excursions
If you don’t have a car, booking guided tours is one of the best ways to experience Banff and Banff National Park without any logistical stress or worrying about planning public transportation.
Many tours offer hotel pickup directly from Banff or Canmore and take you to bucket-list spots like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon, and the Icefields Parkway.
Options range from sightseeing and wildlife tours to hiking, canoeing, and photography-focused excursions, making it easy to tailor your experience to your interests and time frame.
For first-time visitors especially, tours remove the guesswork around parking, shuttle reservations, and driving mountain roads, letting you focus entirely on the scenery. However, they can be more expensive than arranging shuttles, public transportation, or simply renting your own car.
4. Biking & Walking
If you’re staying in town without a car, walking or renting a bike is a fantastic way to explore Banff at a relaxed pace. The town itself is compact and very walkable, with restaurants, shops, the Bow Falls trail, Tunnel Mountain trailhead, and the Banff Avenue bridge all easily reached on foot.
For a bit more range, bike rentals are widely available and allow you to cruise scenic routes like the Fenland Trail, Legacy Trail toward Canmore, or along the Bow River—all without dealing with parking or traffic.
Dedicated pathways and well-marked trails make cycling beginner-friendly, and it’s an ideal option if you want flexibility, fresh air, and incredible mountain views right from town.
Bike Rental Shops in Banff
• Banff Cycle & Sport – Well-reviewed local bike shop with e-bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes, and guided tours. Great for advice and quality gear plust downtown delivery and discounts for multi-day rentals.
• Bike Banff Rentals & Tours – Offers a large fleet of e-bikes, cruisers, mountain bikes and guided tours located near the Banff Train Station.
• Banff Adventures – Popular outdoor rental shop with bikes (including e-bikes) and combo rental packages.
• Bear Street Outfitters – Full-service ski and bike rental with quality bikes and helpful staff.
• Ultimate Sports – Offers a variety of bikes (including e-bikes) plus other outdoor gear; local favorite.
• Black Diamond Bike & SUP Rentals – Small rental shop with bikes and stand-up paddleboards, great for summer.
• Snowtips‑Bactrax – Well-established rental shop with bikes of all types including family and trail bikes.
Many of these shops also rent helmets and locks, and some provide guided tours or e-bike options—great if you’re new to the area or want a bit of extra help on hills.
Downsides of not having a car:
- Less flexibility for sunrise/sunset trips.
- You’re limited to shuttle schedules or paid tours.
- Some remote trails and viewpoints are harder to access.
- More planning is required, and it can be a bit harder to maximize your time on short trips.
- In order to get around, you’d be best to stay in downtown Banff, which can be very expensive.
Best Spots Accessible Without a Car
Here are some of the top spots to add to your Banff itinerary if you are not planning on renting a car!
- Downtown Banff Shops and Restaurants
- Bow Falls (15-minute walk from the town center to a 1.7-mile hike)
- Lake Louise & Lake Moraine (via Parks Canada Shuttle)
- Johnston Canyon: easy (but busy) hike and waterfall (shuttle accessible, Regional Route 9)
- Lake Minnewanka: short trails and scenic viewpoints (via Roam bus Route 6)
- Banff Gondola: (1 hour walk, 20-minute Bike ride, or Roam Route 1)
- Tunnel Mountain: 2.8-mile hike offering some of the best views of Banff (trailhead is accessible by foot from downtown Banff)
- Banff Hot Springs: Also accessible by Roam Route 1
Why a Car Can Be Useful in Banff
Although it can be done without a car, having a car in Banff will give you so much more freedom AND the ability to go beyond the popular spots.
Having a car in Banff gives you:
- Flexibility to visit lakes, viewpoints, and hiking trails on your own schedule.
- Access to off-the-beaten-path spots like Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Yoho National Park, Jasper, Emerald Lake, or the Icefields Parkway on your own time-frame.
- Ability to avoid shuttle schedules and crowded buses.
- Freedom for sunrise or sunset trips, like Moraine Lake or Lake Louise.
- The opportunity to stay out of the town of Banff to save money on your hotel.
- The opportunity to road trip through the Rockies.
Downsides of Having a Car in Banff
- Parking can be limited and expensive, especially at downtown hotels, Lake Louise, and popular trailheads.
- During peak season, traffic can be heavy.
- Driving in snow or mountain conditions can be challenging in winter.
When a Car Makes Sense
Rent a car if:
- You’re visiting during the shoulder seasons when shuttles are limited.
- You want to explore beyond the main lakes and do hikes in the other nearby national parks.
- You prefer complete flexibility for sunrise/sunset photography.
- You’re on a road trip through the Rockies.
- You value maximizing your time and having flexiblity in your schedule.
Tips for Driving in Banff
- Arrive early at popular lakes and trailheads to secure parking.
- Check Parks Canada updates for road closures, especially in winter.
- Pack layers—mountain weather changes fast.
- Consider a hybrid or fuel-efficient car—gas stations in Banff and Lake Louise are limited.
Check out DiscoverCars for the best deal on Car Rentals in Banff!
So, Do I Need a Car in Banff? + My Banff Itinerary
During our time in Banff, we rented a car as we value ease and maximizing our time. However, most of our itinerary would have been doable without (with the exception of our laid-back Icefield Parkway day trip, but you could still do a guided tour here).
Having a car definitely gives you maximum freedom and makes it easier to reach hidden gems or catch sunrise and sunset at iconic lakes. But, you could potentially save money without the rental (if relying on shuttles and walking), and you wouldn’t have to worry about ever driving (if driving stresses you out).
No matter your choice, Banff’s beauty is accessible, just plan ahead, know the options, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
Here’s exactly how we spent 3 days in Banff with a Car
- Day 1: Sunrise at Moraine Lake, canoe Moraine Lake, explore Lake Louise, hike to Agnes Lake Teahouse
- Day 2: Drive the Icefields Parkway with stops at Johnston Canyon, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and the Columbia Icefield
- Day 3: Hike Tunnel Mountain, stroll downtown Banff, and relax at the Banff Gondola and hot springs
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