Choose a base by how you will travel
Most visitors pick between three bases: Banff town, Lake Louise village and the town of Canmore outside the park. Each works best with a different mix of bus, shuttle and car. Banff has the most bus connections. Lake Louise puts you closest to the lakes and trailheads. Canmore is a short bus ride from Banff.
Prices for rooms vary by date, so this page does not quote them. Check live availability for your dates before you decide. Campground fees are fixed by the night and are listed below.
Banff, Lake Louise and Canmore compared
What each base means for getting around.
| Base | Getting around | Parking | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banff town | Roam lines 1, 2, 3 and 8X start here | CAD 12 per hour from May to October, CAD 7 from November to April, daily 08:00 to 20:00; free lot at the train station | Most local bus links in the park |
| Lake Louise | Park-and-ride at the ski resort, 1 Whitehorn Road | Lakeshore and Fairview CAD 42 per vehicle per day, 15 May to 12 October 2026 | A hotel at the lake does not replace a shuttle reservation |
| Canmore | Roam line 3 to Banff | – | For Lake Louise, change to line 8X in Banff |
| Icefields Parkway | Car only | – | The Crossing Resort is closed for winter |
There is no direct Roam line from Canmore to Lake Louise, so plan the change in Banff. Do not count on a free parking space at Lake Louise during paid hours.
Tours from Banff and Lake Louise
Day trips and sightseeing from your base, with live prices and availability.
Staying in Banff town
The easiest base without a car.
Transport
Roam line 1 runs toward Sulphur Mountain and the hot springs, line 2 to Tunnel Mountain and the Fairmont area, line 3 to Canmore and 8X to Lake Louise. Local fares are CAD 2 for adults, CAD 1 for youth and seniors, and free for children up to 12. A day pass is CAD 5.
Getting there and around →A hotel in the centre
The Mount Royal Hotel stands downtown and has a rooftop with hot tubs. Check the current rates and dates directly.
Parking and works
Banff Avenue has a paver replacement under way since 13 October 2026, with some footpath detours and lane closures. The park pass does not cover town parking. The free lot at 327 Railway Avenue has 500 spaces and is open daily from 06:00 to 23:00, for up to 9 hours a day.
Things to do in Banff →Staying at Lake Louise or in Canmore
Closer to the lakes, or outside the park.
Lake Louise
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the named hotel at the lake. The shuttle park-and-ride is at the ski resort and not at the hotel. A night at the lake therefore does not replace a shuttle reservation. Private cars may reach Lake Louise, but parking is not guaranteed.
Lake Louise guide →Canmore
Roam line 3 connects Canmore and Banff for CAD 6 for adults and CAD 3 for youth and seniors. A day pass costs CAD 15. For Lake Louise, add line 8X from Banff. Compare room prices on your own dates, since Canmore is not automatically cheaper.
The Icefields Parkway
The Crossing Resort at Saskatchewan Crossing sits at the junction of highways 93 and 11, about 85 km north of Lake Louise. It offers fuel and limited EV charging in season. It is closed for winter, with a return planned for April 2027. Do not count on fuel on the Parkway in winter.
Icefields Parkway guide →Camping prices per night, 2026
Reservation fees are extra.
| Campground | Pitch type | Per night |
|---|---|---|
| Tunnel Mountain | Water, sewer and electricity | CAD 47.25 |
| Tunnel Mountain | Electricity only | CAD 40 |
| Tunnel Mountain | Unserviced, with washrooms and showers | CAD 34 |
| Lake Louise | Unserviced, with washrooms and showers | CAD 34 |
| Lake Louise | Electricity | CAD 40 |
| Tunnel Mountain Village II or Two Jack Lakeside | oTENTik tent cabin | CAD 147.50 |
Backcountry camping is CAD 15 per person per night and needs a permit and an advance reservation. The reservation service charges CAD 11.50 online or CAD 13.50 by phone. Check which campgrounds are open on your dates.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that pair well with your base.
Where to stay in Banff: frequently asked questions
Is it better to stay in Banff or Lake Louise?
Banff town has the most bus links and suits a trip without a car. Lake Louise is closer to the lake and its trails, but a night there does not replace a shuttle reservation.
Can I stay in Canmore and visit Banff?
Yes. Roam line 3 runs between Canmore and Banff, with an adult single fare of CAD 6. For Lake Louise you then change to line 8X in Banff.
How much does camping cost in Banff?
In 2026 an unserviced pitch with showers costs CAD 34 per night at Tunnel Mountain and at Lake Louise. Pitches with electricity cost CAD 40, and full service at Tunnel Mountain costs CAD 47.25.
Do I need a park pass if I stay overnight?
Yes. Park pass rules apply to stays in the park, including in the town of Banff.
Is parking free at hotels in Banff?
Check this with your hotel. Public downtown parking costs CAD 12 per hour from May to October and CAD 7 per hour from November to April, and the free train station lot allows 9 hours a day.