Getting to Lake Louise in 2026
Lake Louise lies in the west of Banff National Park, in the village of the same name. Private cars may drive to the lake, but a parking space is not guaranteed. The Parks Canada shuttle is the alternative. It leaves from a park-and-ride lot at the ski resort, 1 Whitehorn Road, where you must check in.
Three costs are separate: the park pass, the shuttle seat and the parking fee. The park pass is neither a shuttle ticket nor a parking permit. The figures below are for the 2026 season, which ended on 12 October. Plan next year's trip from the same pattern, and look at the new dates before you go.
Ways to reach Lake Louise compared
Prices in CAD for the 2026 season.
| Option | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Own car | CAD 42 per vehicle and day | Parking is not guaranteed; fees apply from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Parks Canada shuttle | CAD 12.75 adult, plus CAD 3.50 online booking | Reservation and check-in in a 1-hour window; park-and-ride parking is free for passengers |
| Roam bus 8X from Banff | CAD 12.50 one way, CAD 25 day ticket | Children up to 12 travel free; a reservation costs CAD 3 |
| Guided tour | Varies | Check what is included, see the tours page |
A normal Roam single ticket does not include Moraine Lake and cannot be upgraded. For the Moraine connector, choose the reservable pass that includes it.
Our picks: Lake Louise tours
Half-day trips and a guided visit to Lake Louise; the park pass is listed per tour.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided visit to Lake Louise and the Moraine Lake viewpoint
Four hours with a guide, a visit to the Fairmont Chateau, a guided walk to the Moraine Lake viewpoint, a snack and water. Check whether the park pass is included before you book.
Check availability →Half-day tour to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
An air-conditioned vehicle, a multilingual guide and water are included. Check whether the park pass is included before you book.
Check availability →
Half-day tour to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
Transport, a guide, water, park entry and onboard Wi-Fi are included. There is no toilet on the vehicle, and the tip (C$10 per person) is not included.
Check availability →Lake Louise and Banff tours
Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway, wildlife and more, with live prices and availability.
How the shuttle works
Rules of the 2026 season.
Reservation
Booking opened on 15 April 2026 at 8 a.m. Mountain time. At first, 40 percent of the seats were released, and the other 60 percent follow 2 days before the trip at 8 a.m. Choose the lake you want to start at. Booking online adds CAD 3.50 per reservation, by phone CAD 5.50, and the fee is not refundable.
Check-in
Check in at the ski resort park-and-ride, 1 Whitehorn Road, inside the 1-hour window you booked. The ride costs money even for young people: ages up to 17 pay CAD 4, although park entry is free for them.
Times
Shuttles ran every 30 minutes from 15 May to 12 October 2026, generally from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. From 15 to 31 May the first departure was at 8 a.m. The last return left at 7:30 p.m.
What you get
The return trip, the connection between both lakes by the Lake Connector, and parking at the park-and-ride. Park entry is a separate cost.
Parking at the lake
Parking at the Lakeshore and Fairview lots costs CAD 42 per vehicle and day from 15 May to 12 October 2026. The fee applies from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m. In the village itself the spaces are limited, and most of them are time limited. Do not plan around a free space at the lake in the paid hours.
A seat on the shuttle needs no lakeshore space. The park-and-ride lot is free for passengers.
Moraine Lake in brief
The road to Moraine Lake has been closed to normal private vehicles all year since 2023. Exceptions are the Parks Canada shuttle, licensed commercial operators and registered guests of the lodge there. Do not expect to get there by arriving early in your own car.
In 2026 the Moraine shuttle ran from 1 June to 12 October, weather permitting. Early departures from the Lakeshore started at 4 a.m. or 5 a.m., and the Lakeshore parking fee applies on top. Do not count on walking or cycling in as a winter alternative.
Canoeing on Lake Louise
Prices per boat, not per person.
| Renter | One hour | 30 minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Visitors not staying at the hotel | CAD 180 | CAD 160 |
| Hotel guests | CAD 110 | CAD 100 |
The boathouse is on the west shore of the lake. It takes no advance reservations and takes cards only. GST comes on top. Each price is for one canoe. The rental is closed for the season and returns in summer 2027.
The walk to Lake Agnes
The trail to Lake Agnes and its tea house is 3.5 km one way, or 7 km return. You climb 400 m and should plan 1 to 2 hours in each direction. The tea house takes no reservations and has no drinking water. It is a summer operation, so check its dates before you go.
Carry bear spray, keep it within reach and make noise on the trail. Where a trail is posted for group access, groups of at least 4 people must stay close together. Look for notices at the trailhead. More in the hiking guide and the wildlife page.
Lake Louise: frequently asked questions
Can I drive to Lake Louise?
Yes. Private cars can reach the lake, but parking is not guaranteed and costs CAD 42 per vehicle and day at the lakeshore in the 2026 season.
How much is the Lake Louise shuttle?
CAD 12.75 for adults, CAD 6 for seniors aged 65 and over and CAD 4 for ages up to 17 in 2026. Booking online adds CAD 3.50 per reservation.
Does the park pass cover the shuttle or parking?
No. The pass covers park entry only. The shuttle and the parking fee are separate.
Can I drive to Moraine Lake?
Not in a normal private car. The road has been closed to those since 2023. Shuttles, licensed commercial operators and registered lodge guests are the exceptions.
Can I rent a canoe at Lake Louise?
The boathouse charges CAD 180 for an hour or CAD 160 for 30 minutes per canoe for visitors not staying at the hotel. The rental is closed for the season and returns in summer 2027.
How long is the walk to Lake Agnes?
It is 3.5 km each way with a 400 m climb, and 1 to 2 hours in each direction.