Home › Routes › Banff to Calgary
How to get from Banff to Calgary
Banff and Calgary are linked by the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), about 130 km and 1 h 30 by car. Without a car, scheduled shuttles run between Banff and Calgary International Airport, and a seasonal regional bus serves downtown Calgary. There is no regular passenger train.
Best option: Car. Driving takes about 1 h 30 on a direct highway and gives you the freedom you need around Banff National Park anyway.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| car Trans-Canada Highway 1 east from Banff to Calgary | about 1 h 30 | fuel only; no tolls | You need a Parks Canada pass for time spent in Banff National Park. Winter driving can be icy; winter tyres are strongly advised. | |
| bus Airport shuttles (for example Banff Airporter) between Banff hotels and Calgary International Airport | about 1 h 45–2 h | several a day | about C$70–90 one way | Book ahead; convenient if you are flying in or out of Calgary. |
| bus Seasonal regional bus between Banff and downtown Calgary (On-It Regional Transit) | about 1 h 30–2 h | mainly summer weekends and holidays | about C$10 | Service is seasonal and limited; check current dates and times before relying on it. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
Open the route in Google Maps →
Book the trip
Partner links: TonyPlan may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips
- Buy your Parks Canada pass online or at the park gate on Highway 1 before driving into Banff.
- Watch for wildlife on the highway, especially at dawn and dusk.
- In winter check Alberta road reports before driving; snow can slow the trip considerably.
- If you fly into Calgary, a shuttle straight to your Banff hotel avoids city traffic entirely.
Common questions
Is there a train from Banff to Calgary?
No regular passenger train runs between Banff and Calgary. The tracks carry freight, and the scenic tourist trains that call at Banff run towards Vancouver, not to Calgary. To travel between the two you drive, take an airport shuttle, or in season use the regional bus to downtown Calgary.
How do I get from Calgary airport to Banff?
The simplest ways are a hire car, about 1 h 30–1 h 45 via Highway 1, or a pre-booked shuttle that drops you at your hotel in Banff, about 2 hours and roughly C$70–90 one way. Taxis and private transfers also run but cost far more. Book shuttles ahead in summer and around holidays.
Do I need a park pass to drive from Banff to Calgary?
You need a Parks Canada pass for any time you stop in Banff National Park, including staying in Banff town. Driving straight through on Highway 1 without stopping does not require one. Daily passes or the annual Discovery Pass can be bought online or at the park gates on the highway.
What is the cheapest way from Banff to Calgary?
The seasonal regional bus to downtown Calgary is by far the cheapest, at about C$10, but it runs mainly on summer weekends and holidays. Otherwise a shared shuttle to Calgary airport costs about C$70–90. For a group, a hire car is cheaper per person, and it lets you stop at Canmore on the way.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.