Visiting the Canadian Rockies without a car is a question I get asked all the time by travellers trying to visit Jasper and Banff National Park on a budget. I’ve lived 4 hours away from Banff and Jasper my whole life, and will share with you in this guide all of the information on whether or not you can visit Banff and Jasper without a car, and everything you need to know!
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*When this article was first written, there was no public transportation system in Jasper. This year (2024), the Town of Jasper launched a public transportation system within the town. However, Jasper National Park suffered a terrible wildfire in Summer 2024, and the National Park is now closed for the remainder of the season to visitors, until further notice. News is changing each day, and it is important to respect the citizens of the Town and allow them to rebuild, as the fire devastated roughly 30% of the town itself, as well as parts of the National Park. It is unclear what the public transportation system will look like when Jasper National Park re-opens. I will update this post as I hear information. For information on what the public transportation system in Jasper looked like this year, please visit this website. I am hesitant to update this entire article if the information will change when Jasper re-opens, hopefully next year.*
Exploring The Canadian Rocky Mountains Without a Car
Can I Get Around Banff and Jasper Without a Car?
In short, yes you can get around Banff and Jasper without a car! Getting around Banff without a car is a lot easier, because of access to public transportation and various shuttles that are available. It is a lot more difficult to get around Jasper without a car, and it will require tours and private vehicles, meaning visiting Jasper without a car is going to be expensive.
From my experience, it is manageable to navigate Banff without a car. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend navigating Jasper without a car unless you have multiple tours booked to help you get around, or you’re absolutely dead set on visiting.
Exploring Banff National Park Without a Car
How to Get to Banff Without a Car
To get to Banff without a car, your best bet would be to book a shuttle bus there. The other option would be to grab a local taxi to take you to Banff.
Calgary to Banff Without a Car
If you’re flying into Calgary International Airport, there are different shuttle bus companies that connect the Airport to Downtown Banff, and most have a stop in Canmore as well.
- Brewster Express/Pursuit: Connects Downtown Calgary and Calgary International Airport to Kananaskis Village, Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise, and even continues on to Jasper!
- Banff Express: This shuttle does not pick up from the airport, but instead picks up from various spots in Calgary, and connects to Canmore Visitor Centre and Banff Train Station.
- Discover Banff Tours: Connects the Calgary International Airport to the Coast Hotel in Canmore and any hotel in Banff.
- Banff Airporter: Connects Calgary International Airport to your hotel in Canmore or Banff.
- RTB Tours + Shuttles: This company has a shuttle bus that connects multiple places in Calgary (including the airport) to multiple places in Downtown Banff, and Canmore Coast Hotel.
- On It Regional Transit Bus: There is a transit bus that connects Calgary to Banff, however this bus only runs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Statutory Holiday Mondays. This bus also only picks up from Downtown Calgary, not the Calgary International Airport. This is the cheapest option to get from Calgary to Banff!
- Local Taxi: A taxi one way from Calgary to Banff will cost about $250
Vancouver to Banff Without a Car
To get to Banff from Vancouver without a car, you can book a bus trip on the Rider Express – this bus stops in various places throughout BC and takes just over 13 hours to get to Banff. It’s a long journey but can be a good option if you’re looking to save some money. Before booking, I would compare flight costs between Vancouver and Calgary, because your other option would be to fly from Vancouver to Calgary and use one of the methods mentioned above to get from Calgary to Banff.
How to Get Around Banff Without a Car
Because Banff National Park is the most visited National Park in Canada, a lot of work has gone into making Banff accessible without a car. There are a few options available to you, including ROAM public transit bus, booking tours to take you to popular spots, shuttle buses, and walking/biking.
Tours Around Banff National Park
- Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake: Visit Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and even Yoho National Park on this tour (Emerald Lake). This tour does visit the Lake Louise gondola, which is not included in the price of the tour. Keep that in mind before booking!
- Icefields Parkway Tour – Round trip from Banff. The Icefields Parkway is the highway that connects Banff to Jasper. If you are planning to visit Jasper, I would recommend booking a One Way Tour from Banff to Jasper, instead of a roundtrip!
Free Shuttle Buses in Banff
- Sunshine Meadows Shuttle: There is a free shuttle bus during the summer from different hotels in Banff to Sunshine Village. Here you can take the gondola and chairlift to the top of a mountain and hike around Sunshine Meadows for amazing views!
- Mt Norquay Shuttle: Another free shuttle bus, this one connects different spots in Downtown Banff to Mt Norquay from June to October for guests and hikers.
Banff to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Without a Car
- Parks Canada Shuttle + ROAM Transit to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake: This shuttle bus combination costs a small fee to take. Without a car, you can take ROAM public transit from Downtown Banff to Lake Louise. Make sure to buy a ROAM Super Pass, and you’ll be allowed to take the Parks Canada Lake Connector Shuttle round trip from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake. You can reserve a spot on the ROAM transit bus from Downtown Banff to Lake Louise.
- In the fall, ROAM Transit runs Route 10, which connects Downtown Banff to Moraine Lake during the popular larch hiking season.
- There is also the option to book a tour to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise or an open-top shuttle to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.
ROAM Public Transit
Banff has a public transit system, ROAM Transit, that connects Downtown Banff to a lot of the major sites that most travellers are interested in visiting. This is the perfect way to explore Banff without a car and still see almost everything you want to see!
Banff to Sulphur Mountain – Transit Route 1
This route connects downtown Banff to the Sulphur Mountain Gondola and to the Banff Upper Hot Springs. If you’re looking to save some money, instead of paying to take the gondola up, you can choose to hike up and down Sulphur Mountain instead. The trailhead leaves from the parking lot for the Banff Gondola, nearby where the Transit Bus will drop you off. If you only want to hike one way, you can hike up the mountain and pay for a half ticket to ride back down on the gondola (you’ll have to pay full price to take the gondola up and hike down).
Banff to Tunnel Mountain – Transit Route 2
This bus route mainly connects hotels and the campgrounds that are on this road to Downtown Banff. However it also connects Downtown to the Banff Springs Hotel and Bow Falls. If you don’t feel like walking to see Bow Falls but still want to see it, you can take Route 2 to the Bow Falls bus stop!
Banff to Canmore – Transit Route 3
If you choose to stay in Canmore or you want to spend some time exploring this neighbouring mountain town, Roam Transit Route 3 connects Banff to Canmore.
There is also a bike path that connects Banff to Canmore called the Legacy Trail. If you’re interested in biking, consider renting a bike and spending some time biking this path!
Canmore Regional Routes – Transit Routes 5C and 5T – Once you’re in Canmore, there are 2 other bus routes that run locally in town. In 2024, the Canmore regional routes do not cost any bus fare – they are free to ride!
Banff to Cave + Basin – Transit Route 4
Cave and Basin National Historic Site is a natural hot spring that you can visit (but not swim in) to learn about some of Banff’s history, as well as to picnic and explore different outdoor trails. To get here, you can take Transit Route 4 or walk about 30 minutes from Downtown Banff.
*This is a summer only service*
Banff to Lake Minnewanka – Transit Route 6
Transit Route 6 is another popular bus route that leaves Downtown Banff, and takes you to some of Banff’s most popular lakes that are located on the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Loop. You can visit Cascade Ponds, Johnson Lake, Two Jack Lake Day Use area (and both campgrounds), and Lake Minnewanka using this route. Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake are both popular places to go swimming in Banff!
This is a popular service, so if you’re planning to take it during peak season, make sure to plan for some flexibility in your schedule in case the bus is full and you have to wait for the next one.
*This is a summer only service*
Banff to Lake Louise – Transit Route 8X and 8S
I wanted to mention this bus route again, because it is the most popular route and also brings the most confusion to visitors! As mentioned above, there is a ROAM public transit to Lake Louise on Route 8X (express) and 8S (scenic).
Route 8X is an express route from Downtown Banff that takes Highway 1 straight to Lake Louise Village and Lake Louise lakeshore. If you’re not interested in visiting the village (a visitor’s centre and shops), make sure you stay on the bus until you arrive at the Lakeshore. This route takes about 48 minutes to get there with no other stops at other locations.
If you’re wanting to take the Lake Connector Shuttle Bus that is provided by Parks Canada, make sure you have a ROAM Super Pass, as you need this to be able to access the Connector Shuttle. You do not need a reservation for the Connector Shuttle, but I would recommend booking a seat on the Route 8X Bus.
This route currently runs 7 days a week, year-round. (Access to Moraine Lake is closed in the winter).
Route 8S is the scenic route to Lake Louise from Downtown Banff. According to ROAM Transit, the 8S Route is suspended for the 2024 season (not running). In 2023, it only ran in the summertime on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and on Holiday Mondays. This bus route connects downtown Banff to Lake Louise, but instead of taking Highway 1, it takes the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A). The Bow Valley Parkway runs parallel to Highway 1, but has other popular places to visit including Johnston Canyon and a few hotels.
Banff to Johnston Canyon – Transit Route 9
To get to Johnston Canyon from Downtown Banff without a car, you’ll need to take ROAM Public Transit Route 9, or ROAM transit 8S (the scenic route to Lake Louise has a stop at Johnston Canyon; but it is not running for the 2024 season). The Route 9 bus service operates at different days and times throughout the year depending on the season, with increased service in the summertime (due to an increase of crowds!). In the winter, Route 9 only runs on the weekends. This bus leaves from Banff High School Transit Hub and goes directly to Johnston Canyon.
Banff to Moraine Lake – Transit Route 10
ROAM Transit Route 10 only operates in the fall, during larch season. It is the perfect way to visit Moraine Lake without a car. This route is a direct service, meaning it only stops in Downtown Banff and Moraine Lake (it does not go to Lake Louise). You can reserve a spot on the bus in advance, which I would highly recommend because it is so busy at Moraine Lake during the larch season!
Walking Around Banff
Navigating Downtown Banff by foot is very easy. The Town itself is very walkable, meaning you can get basically everywhere on foot. In the summer, they typically close Banff Ave to vehicles, which helps pedestrians walk in the Downtown core and helps to manage crowds.
Once you want to leave town though, you will need to take a bus, shuttle, or some other form of transportation.
Places you can explore by foot in Downtown Banff:
- Cascade of Times Garden
- Whyte Museum
- Banff Ave
- Banff Town Sign
- Walk to Bow Falls and Surprise Corner
- Walk to Vermilion Lakes
- Banff pedestrian bridge and the Bow River Trail
Where to Stay in Banff Without a car
There are a ton of hotels located in Downtown Banff that provide easy access to the city center and ROAM transit bus stops. By staying in Downtown Banff you’ll also be able to walk to a few hiking trailheads as well.
- Banff Caribou Lodge: This hotel is around a 15 minute walk from downtown Banff, with a bus stop for transit routes 1,3, and 6 right out front. They are pet-friendly, have a large indoor hot pool, and include a free ROAM transit pass for routes 1,2,4 & 6 with your stay!
- Moose Hotel and Suites: This hotel is around 7 minutes from Downtown Banff by foot, and right across the street from The Banff High school Transit Hub. Moose Hotel has rooftop hot pools, an indoor pool, they are pet-friendly and include a free ROAM transit pass for route 1,2,4, and 6 with your stay.
- Canalta Lodge: About a 15 minute walk from Downtown Banff is Canalta Lodge. They have an amazing outdoor courtyard with outdoor hot tubs, firepits, a cold plunge, and a sauna. There is also an indoor coffee bar located in the lobby, and a bus stop for transit routes 1,3, and 6 right outside the front door. I loved my stay at this hotel!
- Fairmont Banff Springs: This is one of Downtown Banff’s most luxurious hotels; the hotel itself looks like a castle and is stunning against the mountains. It is about a 30 minute walk to Downtown Banff, so it is a bit farther than some of the other hotels mentioned. This hotel does provide guests with a free ROAM transit pass for routes 1,2,4 & 6.
- Samesun Banff: This is a hostel in Banff, with both mixed and female-only dorm rooms, an onsite bar, a 5 minute walk to the Banff High school Transit Hub and about a 10 minute walk to Banff Ave.
To find other hotels that offer a free ROAM transit pass (for routes 1,2,4 & 6) check out the Town of Banff’s website.
If you’re staying at one of the Banff campgrounds, you can get a free ride into the Town of Banff with transit, although I think it would be really hard to camp without a vehicle!
Banff Hikes That Don’t Need a Car
Some easier hikes in Banff are accessible without a car: the trailhead is either very accessible by walking to it from Downtown, or you can access it via free shuttle or ROAM transit. If there is a hike on your bucket list that isn’t easily accessible by walking, transit, or shuttle, I would recommend checking out the local taxi prices or seeing if you are able to rent a bike to access the trailhead.
If you are hoping to rely on taxi services, make sure to research if there is cell reception at the trailhead, so you can call the taxi to come back and pick you up after your hike. Your best bet to find information on this would be to personally ask in a facebook group!
Hikes That Leave From or Near Downtown Banff
- Bow River Trail to Bow Falls: This walk starts just outside of Downtown Banff and follows a trail along the Bow River, towards a waterfall called Bow Falls, at the Bow Falls Viewpoint.
- Fenland Trail: This hike starts near the Banff Town Sign on Mt.Norquay Road, and is a loop hike over 1.9km and 56m of elevation gain. It’s an easy hike through a forest with a great opportunity for bird watching.
- Tunnel Mountain: This trailhead starts from Banff Town as well, and is rated as moderate on AllTrails. It is about 4.3km in length with 268m of elevation gain on an out+back trail. It’s an uphill hike with switchbacks at the beginning of the trail, but will bring you amazing views of the mountain landscape, and the Town of Banff below. This is a popular trail so expect crowds if you’re hiking during peak times.
- Vermillion Lakes Road: This one isn’t really a hiking path, but I wanted to mention it because it is a short walk to a pretty place from Downtown Banff. Where Fenland Trail starts, if instead you walk down the sidewalk on Mt Norquay Rd towards Highway 1, the road will turn off into Vermillion Lakes Road. Follow this road down to Vermillion Lakes, where you’ll see pretty views of Mount Rundle behind the lake and pretty docks, the perfect place to watch a sunset or to just spend some time.
Hikes That are Accessible by Free Shuttle
- Sunshine Meadows: Take the free shuttle to the base of the Sunshine Gondola. The Gondola costs money to ride, but you gain a ton of elevation without doing any work, meaning once you’re at the top you have amazing views the whole time you’re hiking!
Hikes That are Accessible by ROAM Transit
- Johnston Canyon: This is one of Banff National Park’s most popular hikes, and it is very easy to visit without a car. This is an easy hike that is a 5.3km out and back trail with 263m of elevation gain. You;ll hike through a canyon with views of beautiful waterfalls along the way. Continue on to the Ink Pots if you’re looking for more hiking and want to get away from the crowds a bit more. Just make sure to be prepared with enough food, water, and bear spray, while hiking in Banff. This trail is accessible by taking Transit Route 9 to Johnston Canyon, or Route 8S, the Scenic Route to Lake Louise (the 8S route is unfortunately not running for the 2024 season, but I am hoping they will resume this line in the future!).
- Stewart Canyon: Rated moderate, this trailhead leaves from the shores of Lake Minnewanka, and will take you 6.8km over 263m of elevation gain on an out+back trail. You can take Transit Route 6 to Lake Minnewanka (only runs in the summertime).
- Aylmer Lookout: Rated as hard, this trailhead also leaves from the Lake Minnewanka shores, meaning you can take Transit Route 6 to Lake Minnewanka to get here (only runs in the summertime). This trail is 23.3km with 1,093m of elevation on an out + back trail. It is long and takes most people 8 hours to complete.
- Sulphur Mountain: This is the hike I mentioned earlier, that you can take up Sulphur Mountain instead of paying to ride the gondola. It is a 10.8km out and back trail with 759m of elevation gain. It is accessible by Banff Transit Route 1 and is rated as Hard on AllTrails!
Exploring Jasper National Park Without a Car
Visiting Jasper National Park without a car is a lot more difficult than visiting Banff without a car, because there is no public transportation in Jasper, there are not really any shuttles, and a lot of sites are not within close walking distance to town. You can still visit different spots by walking, but it will take you a good amount of time to get there on foot.
There is still a way to visit this part of the Canadian Rockies without a car though, and these are my best tips for Jasper!
How to get to Jasper Without a Car
Edmonton to Jasper Without a Car
To get from Edmonton to Jasper without a car, your best bet is to take the SunDog Tours bus service. They have a bus that leaves from the Edmonton International Airport, stops at West Edmonton Mall, and continues on to Jasper (with stops in 2 other Alberta towns, Edson and Hinton). This ride takes just under 5 hours to get from Edmonton to Jasper.
Getting to Jasper From Banff
If you’re trying to get to Jasper from Banff, you have a few other options for transportation companies to take. The road that connects Banff to Jasper is Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway. There are a ton of places to stop on the Icefields Parkway, and so if you can afford to book a tour for your trip from Banff to Jasper, that would be what I recommend! Otherwise you’ll miss stopping at all of these beautiful places on the way.
Unfortunately there is no method of public transportation, meaning you’ll have to book some sort of shuttle or tour. A really popular option is booking a SunDog Icefields Parkway One-Way Tour, that will transport you from Banff to Jasper, with stops along the Parkway. This tour picks you up from your hotel and stops at different spots on the Parkway, and includes admission to the Athabasca Glacier ice buggies and Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
Getting Around Jasper Without a Car
There is no public transportation system in Jasper National Parking, meaning you’ll have to rely on taking a taxi, walking, biking, or booking a tour, to get around.
Walking or Renting a Bike
Downtown Jasper is very easily walkable, however walking to places outside of Downtown will take you a while, and sometimes there is no sidewalk (you would share the road with cars). Take a look at Google Maps to get a good idea about how long it will take to walk somewhere in Jasper, and see if there is a sidewalk, or if it is a highway that goes there. Sometimes renting a bike may be a better option, just be sure to use your judgment and stay safe!
Taxi
Although some places are not the best to get to by walking, a lot of places are still relatively close to town and are easy to drive to. Because we’re exploring how to get around Jasper without a car, a great option to look into would be hiring a taxi.
Places that would be best reached by taxi would be areas like Pyramid Lake, the Jasper SkyTram, and Lake Annette/Lake Edith. Keep in mind cellphone reception is limited in Jasper National Park, and you don’t want to end up somewhere without a car and no way of calling a taxi to come pick you back up.
Jasper Tours to Help you Get Around
There are sightseeing tours around Jasper that can help you visit places that may be harder to get to without a car. A few highly rated options are:
- White Water Rafting that is round trip from Jasper with Jasper’s Whitewater Rafting Company
- Tour the Maligne Valley and see Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake, Maligne Lake, and Spirit Island with Maligne Adventures.
- Private mountain biking tour by Journey Bike Guides inc that starts and ends at your hotel or campground
Where to Stay in Jasper Without a Car
The best place to stay in Jasper without a car is somewhere close to Downtown. A few places to check out are The Athabasca Hotel, a budget, 2 star hotel in the heart of Downtown Jasper, or The Mount Robson Inn, which is also within walking distance to downtown and has 2 outdoor hot tubs. If you’re looking for luxury, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is where you’ll find it, however it is outside of Downtown Jasper and will probably be difficult to access without a car!
Jasper Hikes Without a Car
- Old Fort Point: I love this hike, and it gives a great view of Jasper and the surrounding landscapes. To get to the trailhead, you’ll need to walk about 25-30 minutes out of Downtown before arriving at the start of the hike.
- There is a network of trails on the Northwest side of Jasper you can explore (look at Google Maps to see what I mean!).
- Athabasca River Loop: There is a trail that allows you to explore by the river, which leaves from near the Old Fort Point parking lot and connects to Lac Beauvert Trail and the Jasper Park Lodge hotel grounds. From here, you can continue walking towards Lake Annette and Lake Edith. This will be a long walk though so be prepared, and check out google maps to take a look at the trail network before setting out.
Final Thoughts on Exploring Banff and Jasper Without a Car
It is possible to get around the Canadian Rockies without a car, however you’ll have a way easier time getting around Banff without a car than you will getting around Jasper without a car.
Banff is set up with ROAM public transportation, various shuttles, and even a bike path that connects Canmore to Banff. Jasper does not have any public transportation, and doesn’t have a shuttle system set up either. To navigate Jasper, you will have to mainly rely on walking, tours, or a taxi to get around.
When navigating the Rockies without a car, remember to double check if there is cellphone reception where you’re going (especially if you’re relying on a taxi). I’ve found asking personal experience in facebook groups to be really helpful for this!
If you’re planning to take a shuttle or the ROAM transit bus to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, make sure you buy the correct pass (ROAM super pass for transit) and make a reservation in advance. These are very popular places to visit and you’ll have a hard time visiting these famous lakes if you don’t book in advance.
Hopefully this Guide to Navigating the Canadian Rockies Without a Car helped you plan your trip!
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Visiting Banff and Jasper Without a Car: FAQs / Summary
Yes, it is possible to visit Banff without a car! You can rely on ROAM public transit, free and paid shuttles, and tours, to get around Banff National Park without a car.
You don’t need a car in Jasper National Park, but I would highly recommend one. There is no public transit system in Jasper and there are no shuttles. Without a car in Jasper, you will be walking long distances, hiring a taxi, or needing to book a tour in order to get around.
The best way to get from Banff to Jasper without a car is booking a tour! By booking a tour, you will be able to stop at some points along the Icefields Parkway, the amazing road that connects Banff to Jasper.
I definitely think it is worth hiring a car in Banff. It’s possible to visit Banff without a car, but you will gain more time freedom and location freedom with a car in Banff. You also won’t have to worry about crowds and booking seats on public transportation if you have a car.
Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada I love to travel to the Rockies and explore new places around the world. Follow along on my adventures and find inspiration and tips for your own travels.
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