How to Spend A Day in Banff, Canada (no car necessary)

May 23, 2025
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Banff is easily one of the most well-known destinations in Canada and for good reason. The picturesque mountain town is surrounded by world-class ski resorts and some of the beautiful hikes the country has to offer. However, if you only have a limited time to explore the town itself, here is everything to see in a day in Banff.

Table of Contents

How to get to Banff?

Flying into Banff

The closest airport is Calgary airport (YYC), roughly 1.5hr drive away from Banff. There are two bus options to get to Banff from Calgary Airport:

Option one is to get public transport to the city center (more info here) and then get either a Flixbus (starts at just 18CAD) or Rider Express (~38CAD) bus to Banff.
The other way is to get a direct bus/shuttle from the airport. Banff Airporter and Brewster Express start at around 90CAD directly from the airport.

If you are planning to see more of the area or head to Jasper and see some National Parks, I’d recommend renting a car or camper (find good deals here).

Where to stay in Banff?

Best hostels in Banff for backpackers:

HI Banff Alpine Centre
Samesun Banff
Canmore Downtown Hostel (not in Banff but only a short bus ride and this hostel is amazing!)

Best hotels in Banff:

$ Best Western Plus Banff International Lodge
$$ Hotel Canoe & Suites
$$$ Fairmont Banff Springs

Hotels in Banff are very expensive, starting at around $300 a night even in the off-season. Check out Canmore for more affordable hotels only a short bus ride to Banff.

How to get around Banff using public transport?

Banff is a pretty walkable city, but it also has a good public transport system called Roam. It goes through Banff but also connects to Canmore and Lake Louise. A lot of hotels in Banff even offer free bus passes for their guests to help you get around. Check out routes and fares here.

One Day Banff Itinerary

Start the day by wandering down Banff Avenue

Just walking through downtown Banff is an experience as you are met with the stunning backdrop of the Canadian Rockies, such as Cascade Mountain and Mount Rundle. Banff Avenue runs through the entire town of Banff and is lined with local shops, cafes, restaurants, souvenir stores and more. Don’t miss Spirit of Christmas and he Fudgery, two unique Banff favourites.

It is the perfect place to start your day, get some of the famous Banff photos and grab a bite to eat. I’d recommend Whitebark Cafe, they have great food and nice outdoor seating.

Go on a walk or hike near Banff

You cannot go to Banff and not experience at least some of the nature that makes it famous. There are quite a lot of walks that start straight from the city centre meaning you won’t even need a car. Two I’d recommend are the easy walk to Bow Falls where the famous Fairmont hotel is also located (I saw some elk crossing the river here too) as well as the Tunnel Mountain Summit Trail (2hr round-trip, you’ll need spikes until May/June).

Explore Fairmont Castle and grab a bite to eat

If you are heading to Bow Falls, make sure to check out the famous Fairmont hotel. It sits right above the falls with stunning views over the Rockies and Bow river. There is also a café called STOCK where you can grab a snack and fill up on caffeine.

Discover the enchanting Cascade of Time Garden

A “secret” garden near the town centre with a beautiful flower display, ponds and charming walkways that wind around the flora and fauna. I’d especially recommend a walk here in summer, when the flowers are blooming and sun is reflecting off the water displays.

Finish the day by getting the gondola up to Sulphur Mountain

You can’t visit Banff and not head up Sulphur Mountain. The bus to the gondola is free with a roundtrip ticket, just show it to the driver and there is a free shuttle in the peak months. At the top, you will find sweeping views of Banff and the Rockies, a boardwalk to Sanson Peak, two gift shops, two restaurants, a Starbucks coffee shop, one snack bar, interpretive hiking trails and an interactive giant compass. So basically something for everyone.

The view is especially beautiful at sunset, where the sun tints everything in hues of red and orange.

If you have some extra time:

Relax at Banff Upper Hot Springs

The hot, mineral-rich waters are a true Banff treasure and perfect for those looking to relax after a long hike or day of skiing. The outdoor pool boasts views of the surrounding Rockies and is truly worth a visit.

Head to Lake Louise and Lake Moraine

If you have some extra time, head to Lake Louise and Lake Moraine on a day trip. The easiest way to do this is with an organised tour, especially during peak months where public transport fills up rapidly, though there are also public buses that will take you to both lakes.

Is one day in Banff enough?

Yes, you can see downtown Banff and some of the nearby attractions easily in one day. If you are looking to ski in the winter or explore more of the National Park in the summer, including Lake Louise, you will want a few more days.

Which is nicer, Banff or Lake Louise?

Both are really nice but different. Banff has more shops and a beautiful downtown, whereas Lake Louise only really has one tiny grocery store. Both of them have fantastic hikes with stunning scenery. Lake Louise has insanely blue lakes. Both also have their own ski resorts.