How to Get From Calgary Airport to Banff and Back! (YYC)

Visiting Banff? You’ll need to know how to get there from the airport. Calgary International Airport is the airport closest to Banff Canada and this guide will explain how to go from Calgary to Banff including public transport, private transfers and driving yourself.

Disclosure: Please consider clicking any links on this site as they may be affiliate links which means, at no extra cost to you, I may earn commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting The Happy Days Travels. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you see a link or banner, this could take you to that product/service website. For more information, see my Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Contents (jump to)

About Calgary Airport

Name: Calgary International Airport
Airport Code: YYC
Address of Calgary Airport: 2000 Airport Rd NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6W5, Canada
Where? 17km from city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Website: http://www.yyc.com/
Fly Here to Get to: Calgary, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Red Deer, Edmonton, Waterton Park, Province of Alberta
Have a Layover? Read my 1 Day Calgary Itinerary!

Distance From Calgary to Banff

Arriving in Alberta ready for your Rocky Mountain adventure, you’re probably wondering how far is Banff from Calgary? The distance is roughly 138km / 86 miles. The Calgary to Banff driving time is roughly 1.5 hours.

Banff National Park Pass

You can buy a Banff National Park Pass on the Parks Canada website or at the gate of the park.

If you are driving your own vehicle to enter Banff, you need to pay for a pass. The pass is per person but there are deals including getting a year round pass if you regularly visit Banff.

Ensure you look up the latest prices and information for yourself on getting a pass to enter Banff National Park.

Moving to Canada? Read my arrival checklist here!

4 Ways to Get From Calgary Airport to Banff National Park!

Bus
Private Airport Transfer / Taxi
Driving Yourself
Pop A Ride

1) Calgary to Banff Bus

Getting the Calgary Banff bus is the most convenient, cheapest and efficient way to reach your destination.

Options For Bus From Calgary to Banff

The main buses from Calgary airport to Banff include but not limited to: Brewster, Discover Banff Tours, Vivo Green, Flixbus and The Banff Airporter. I recommend researching and comparing these buses for the most suitable time for your arrival flight to get to Banff.

There is a public shuttle bus called On-it which is as cheap as $10 but doesn’t go to the airport so you’d need to catch a bus to Downtown Calgary and then onwards to Banff. Rider Express is also a bus company that takes you from Banff to other places in Canada (but not YYC).

I always use Brewster or Banff Airporter as they have the best times, prices, experience and convenience for my trips. Banff Airporter specifically drop you to your accommodation which is great when you live in town!

Bus Stops in Banff

Brewster buses stop at the main hotels on Banff Avenue and Tunnel Mountain, Brewster Transportation Station on Gopher Street and Lake Louise.

The Banff Airporter stops at most hotels in Banff and Coast Hotel in Canmore.

Discover Banff Tours bus stops at most hotels in Banff, Coast Hotel in Canmore and onto Lake Louise.

Returning to the airport, you can use the same companies as above and the same bus stops including pick-ups from your hotel.

Also Read: How to Get to Red Deer from Calgary Airport by Bus

Buses Calgary to Banff (& back) Pros and Cons

Pros – Worry-free as someone else drives for you, most cheapest option, most sustainable for environment, you get a direct transfer from and to airport, you don’t need a Banff National Park pass and you do not have to worry about parking and fees, Banff is easy to get around the town with public buses and finally there’s no cancellation fees.

Cons – Restricted to bus schedule which doesn’t run past middnight, no transport while in Banff, must get from bus station to accommodation, hard to explore wider national park without own car.

Getting the Bus? Book your bus through BusBud here.

2) Transportation from Calgary to Banff

You have two options for transportation from Calgary Airport to Banff: private drive Calgary to Banff or shared Calgary Airport to Banff shuttle bus/taxi.

Prices vary but this always comes out as the most expensive way (but also the easiest as you’re chauffeured right to your holiday destination)!

Private Shuttle from Calgary to Banff Pros & Cons

Pros – Flexible, can travel alone, dropped right to accommodation, saves time at the airport, no extra drop-offs for others, can save money if travelling as a group, no research required for getting to destination, no park pass needed.

Cons – Most expensive option, you won’t have transportation once in Banff and will have to rely on public bus / taxis to get around.

If this is the option for you, find a private airport transfer below to get your Calgary Airport shuttle to Banff town centre:

Or get a shared here:

Taxi

I have shared a taxi with others from YYC to Banff previously by calling Calgary United Cabs with the time to pick us up from arrivals as it was well past the times that the buses run. They give a flat rate of $230 one way. Agree upon this BEFORE taking the ride.

3) Driving From Calgary to Banff National Park

It’s a very simple route if renting a car in YYC and driving to Banff. The road to take is called the Trans-Canada Highway and takes about 1.5 hours. Note: If arriving in Winter, you must ensure your rental car has Winter tyres by law.

Pros – Easily get to and from the airport, most independent Calgary to Banff transportation option, no luggage restrictions, create your own itinerary, you don’t need to do a huge amount of research, can split costs if a group of 3/4/5, and once there it’s easy to get around Banff National Park to see lakes, falls, icefields, wildlife and Northern Lights!

Cons – Car rental in Canada can be expensive, need to find parking around Banff and then pay extra to park in places, tied to the car, and you need to return it to airport.

Book your rental car in advance here.

4. Pop A Ride

This is the carpooling option that is a popular way to get around in Canada.

I have used Pop A Ride to get from Calgary Airport to Banff at 10pm as there were no buses and I can highly recommend.

Pros – cheap, reliable, popular, many people take the route between Banff and Calgary so lots of options, can pay online, can use referral codes, door to door drop offs, all done through the app, reviews can be left for you and driver, quicker than public transport.

Cons – you’re trusting other people to drive safely, must depend on someone to tell the truth, there needs to be someone doing the same route and time as you, need to socialise for 1.5 hours.

Use Pop A Ride Here!

Use these directions in reverse for Banff to Calgary airport.

In conclusion, the distance Calgary Banff takes just 1.5 hours and you can get Calgary to Banff transport by: airport transfer, private taxi, public bus or renting a vehicle for yourself.

Find Accommodation in Banff

Read my list of the very best hostels to book in Banff or search your own here:

Booking.com

Want to Go Elsewhere in Canada?

My Banff Blog Posts:

Hope this has helped answer the Calgary Banff distance and the options for transport from Calgary to Banff (and vice versa)!

How to Get from Calgary to Banff: Pin Me!