Banff travel guide
Banff Tourism | Banff Guide
You're Going to Love Banff
With a population of 7,502, Banff is a must-see destination in Alberta, Canada. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Banff has to offer.
Where to Eat in Banff
If you’re looking for affordable options, Sleeping Buffalo (700 Tunnel Mountain Road) and Fairmont Banff Springs – Special Events (405 Spray Avenue) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Earls Kitchen + Bar - Banff (299 Banff Ave) and The Chimney Corner (1 Sunshine Access RoadPO Box 1510 Stn Main) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Banff.
When to visit Banff
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Banff in July, when the average temperature is 59 °F, and the highest can go up to 71.6 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is December, when it can get as cold as 8.6 °F, with an average temperature of 15.8 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in June, when precipitation is around 2.7″. In contrast, February is usually the driest month of the year in Banff, with an average rainfall of 0.7″.
How to Get to Banff
Plane
Although Banff doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Calgary Airport (YYC), which is located 108 km from Banff. Calgary Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from Aeromexico, Delta, Emirates and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest flight to Banff from the United States departs from Las Vegas and takes around 2h 45m.
Car
Another option to get to Banff is to pick up a car rental from Calgary, which is about 106 km from Banff. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Hertz, among others, in Calgary.
Bus
Several bus lines operate bus routes to Banff, including Rider Express, Red Arrow and Cold Shot. From Red Deer, the bus ride to Banff takes 121 km and will cost you around $47. From Edmonton, the ticket costs about $70 for a journey of 266 km. The most popular bus station is Banff Banff, Ab, located 0.8 km from downtown Banff. Banff Red-Carpet Inn is also a commonly used station, and is 0.7 km from the city center.
Airlines serving Banff
Where to stay in Banff
If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Best Western Plus Siding 29 Lodge and Bow View Lodge.
Where to stay in popular areas of Banff
Most booked hotels in Banff
Renting a car in Banff
Renting a car in Banff costs $77 per day, on average, or $231 if you want to rent if for 3 days. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Avis and Hertz are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Banff is the Avis branch at 317 Banff Avenue, which is 0 km from the city center.
You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 10% more expensive than at Calgary.
Expect to pay $5.41 per gallon in Banff (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $64.96 and $86.61. The most frequently booked car type in Banff is Intermediate (Ford Escape or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Luxury rental cars (Audi A4 or similar) are, on average, 21% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.