Home › Routes › Calgary to Jasper
How to get from Calgary to Jasper
Driving is the way most people go from Calgary to Jasper: about 410 km via Banff and the Icefields Parkway, roughly 4 h 30–5 h without stops but usually a full day with viewpoints. There is no train between the two, and public transport is limited to seasonal coach services in summer.
Best option: Car. A car lets you stop along the Icefields Parkway, the main reason to take this route, and there is no year-round public transport.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| car Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) west to Lake Louise, then the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93 North) to Jasper | about 4 h 30–5 h driving, a full day with stops | fuel plus a Parks Canada pass (daily or annual Discovery Pass) | There is almost no mobile signal and only one seasonal fuel stop (Saskatchewan River Crossing) on the Parkway; fill up in Lake Louise. In winter, winter tyres are required and the road can close. | |
| bus Seasonal coach or shuttle services along the Icefields Parkway, usually via Banff and Lake Louise | about 7–9 h from Calgary including stops and connections | summer only, often once a day or less | about CA$150–300 | Operators and timetables change from year to year; check what is running before planning. Calgary airport to Banff shuttles run year-round. |
*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 before you enter Banff National Park.
- Leave Calgary early: the light is best and wildlife is most active in the morning.
- Stop at the Columbia Icefield, Peyto Lake and Athabasca Falls; they are all close to the road.
- Book Jasper accommodation early; capacity is limited, especially in summer.
Common questions
Is there a train from Calgary to Jasper?
No. There is no passenger rail service between Calgary and Jasper. VIA Rail's long-distance train passes through Jasper on the Vancouver–Edmonton–Toronto route, but it does not serve Calgary. Your realistic options are driving or, in summer only, a seasonal coach along the Icefields Parkway.
How long is the drive from Calgary to Jasper?
About 4 h 30–5 h for around 410 km without stops, via Banff, Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway. Most people take a full day, stopping at lakes, glaciers and waterfalls. In winter, conditions on the Parkway can be severe and closures happen, so check road reports before setting off.
Can I drive the Icefields Parkway in winter?
Yes, but plan carefully. Winter tyres are required, services are almost non-existent, mobile coverage is very limited and the road may close for avalanche control or storms. Carry warm clothes, food and a full tank, check Parks Canada and Alberta road reports, and travel only in daylight.
What is the cheapest way from Calgary to Jasper?
Driving, shared between several people, is usually the cheapest, since the cost is fuel plus a Parks Canada pass. A seasonal coach costs roughly CA$150–300 per person one way. Flying to Edmonton and driving four hours west is possible but rarely cheaper or faster.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.