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Alberta, and the Rockies to the west

Calgary Tours & Vacation Packages

Calgary sits about 130 km from Banff, the closest major airport to the Canadian Rockies, and every tour here departs for the mountains. Multi-day routes run four days and up through Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Lake Louise and the Columbia Icefield, some continuing by rail to Vancouver. Day trips reach Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway and return the same evening, or run out to the badlands at Drumheller. Hotels, transport and a guide are included on multi-day packages.

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5-Day Canadian Rockies: Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Lake Louise & Icefield Tour from Calgary | Town Center Stays (Airport Transfer)
WHERE TO GO
Banff National Park, Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park, Vancouver
AVAILABLE TRIP LENGTHS
1-10 Days
Five days and up

Multi-Day Rockies Tours

Five days from Calgary covers Banff, Jasper, Yoho and the Columbia Icefield with a night in the park towns rather than on the road. Longer routes add Kootenay and Waterton, or continue west by rail and end in Vancouver.

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Out and back the same day

Day Trips from Calgary

Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Johnston Canyon are close enough to Calgary to see in a day and be back by evening. Longer days run north to the Columbia Icefield, south to Waterton Lakes, or east to the badlands and dinosaur beds at Drumheller.

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How much time you have

Calgary Tours by Trip Length

From Calgary the parks are close enough that even a day trip reaches Lake Louise. What longer trips buy is time at each stop and nights in the park towns, rather than more ground covered.

To Banff National Park, AB
An hour and a half west of Calgary, and the one park a day trip reaches comfortably. Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon and the Banff Gondola.
from $78
To Jasper National Park, AB
About 400 km north at the far end of the Icefields Parkway, so four days is the shortest route that gets there. Maligne Lake and Athabasca Falls.
from $100
To Yoho National Park, BC
Across the provincial line from Lake Louise, close enough to pair with Banff in one day. Emerald Lake, the Natural Bridge and Takakkaw Falls.
from $78
To Columbia Icefield, AB
Halfway along the Icefields Parkway, reached on a long day trip or as a stop on multi-day routes. Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk, seasonal.
from $100
Trip Days You'll see From Best for
Short trips 2-4 Days Banff, Yoho and Lake Louise with nights in Banff town, and the Icefields Parkway as far as the Columbia Icefield $312 A fast first visit
Vacation packages 5-10 Days Jasper and Maligne Lake, Kootenay or Waterton on the longest routes, and rail continuing to Vancouver $542 Time at each stop

Calgary Travel Guide

How far is Banff from Calgary?

About 130 km, an hour and a half by road on the Trans-Canada Highway, which is the shortest approach to the Rockies from any major airport. Lake Louise is another 60 km past Banff, and Jasper about 400 km north along the Icefields Parkway. That distance is why a day trip from Calgary reaches Lake Louise comfortably but Jasper needs an overnight.

How many days do you need for the Rockies from Calgary?

Four days is the usual choice, covering Banff, Yoho, the Columbia Icefield and Jasper with nights in the park towns rather than on the road. One day reaches Banff and Lake Louise but not Jasper. Five and six days add Kootenay or Waterton and more time at each stop. Routes that cross the range and finish in Vancouver run five to eight days.

Can you see Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in one day from Calgary?

Yes, and day tours regularly do both, usually adding Johnston Canyon or Emerald Lake before returning to Calgary the same evening. Moraine Lake Road is closed to private vehicles, so a guided tour, shuttle or bus is now the only way in. The road is seasonal and opens once the snow clears, so check the date if your trip is built around that lake.

Should you start from Calgary or Vancouver?

Calgary is the shorter approach: Banff is 130 km away, while Vancouver is roughly 850 km from the same park and the first day is largely driving. Starting in Calgary buys mountain time; starting in Vancouver buys the interior valleys and the coast. One-way routes run in both directions, so an open-jaw ticket lets you take the Rockies once and skip the return drive.

When should you visit the Rockies from Calgary?

June to September is the main season: the Icefields Parkway is clear, glacier activities are running and the lakes have thawed to full colour. The Columbia Icefield closes for the season in October and the Moraine Lake road is snow-dependent at both ends of the year. The Calgary Stampede fills city hotels for ten days in July, so book early if your tour starts then.

What is the Icefields Parkway?

Highway 93 between Lake Louise and Jasper, 230 km through the mountains, and the road every multi-day tour from Calgary travels. Bow Lake, Peyto Lake and the Columbia Icefield are stops along it. At the icefield, specialised vehicles drive onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk stands over the Sunwapta Valley. The road itself runs in winter; the glacier stops do not.

Rocky Mountaineer or VIA Rail — what is the difference?

Both start at Calgary airport, end in Vancouver, and cover most of the distance by coach, with the train as one leg in the middle rather than the whole trip. VIA Rail runs overnight with a night on board, over five to seven days. Rocky Mountaineer travels only in daylight, in glass-domed cars, over seven to eight days and at a considerably higher price.

What is there from Calgary besides the Rockies?

Drumheller is 140 km northeast, in badlands cut out of the prairie, and holds the Royal Tyrrell Museum along with Horseshoe Canyon and the hoodoos. South of the city, Waterton Lakes runs to the Montana border and is quieter than Banff, with Cameron Falls, Red Rock Canyon and a bison paddock. Both are day trips, and neither goes near the Icefields Parkway.

GOOD TO KNOW

Calgary Tours - FAQ

  • Where do tours from Calgary pick up?

    Tours pick up in Calgary and at Calgary Airport. Many also pick up in Banff and Canmore, day trips and multi-day routes alike. Each tour page lists its own pickup points and times.

  • Is airport transfer included?

    Some tours include an airport transfer and some do not. The tour page states whether it is included and which flight times it covers. Check before booking if you plan to start on the day you land.

  • What language are the tours in?

    Guides speak English, and some departures are also guided in Mandarin Chinese. Tour documents are provided in English. The tour page lists the guiding language for each departure.

  • Are national park admission fees included?

    Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay and Waterton Lakes all require Parks Canada admission. Whether it is included varies by tour. The tour page lists what is covered and what is paid separately on the day.

  • What is included in a multi-day package?

    Hotels and transport are included. Meals and attraction admissions are not, unless the tour page says otherwise. Some routes require an activity package paid separately, and the tour page lists the amount.

  • How are hotel rooms priced if you travel alone?

    Package prices are quoted per person based on two sharing a room. Travelling alone or in an odd-numbered group changes the rate. The tour page lists the price for each occupancy.

What Travelers Say

Solo traveler friendly! Pickup was on time, guide even helped take photos and showed a secret photo spot behind Fairmont. Van was very cold, so bring a jacket. Otherwise a perfect day trip covering gondola, lake, and canyon. Great value for money.

—Hanumantharao · 1-Day Banff National Park Tour from Calgary/Banff - Banff Gondola, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon

Zero shopping stops, just pure nature! Bilingual guide was superb. Johnston Canyon's turquoise water and easy trail are perfect for all ages. Free hotel pickup in Banff was a plus. Ideal for time-limited travelers who want the must-see spots. Worth every penny.

—Walt · 1-Day Banff National Park Tour from Calgary/Banff - Banff Gondola, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon

Clever guide adjusted stops based on sunlight for better photos! Sulphur Mountain views are epic, and Lake Louise looked like emerald. Lunch time was a bit rushed, so bring your own sandwich. Otherwise flawless. Will book their multi-day tour next time.

—Pratyul · 1-Day Banff National Park Tour from Calgary/Banff - Banff Gondola, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon

Best way to see Banff without driving stress! Comfortable bus, knowledgeable guide, and perfect pacing. Bow Falls and Hoodoos were highlights with fewer crowds. Gondola ride was smooth. A full day well spent with fair price. 5 stars!

—kritsana · 1-Day Banff National Park Tour from Calgary/Banff - Banff Gondola, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon

Tour is times well . Bus are clean and nice It’s not too early start. I felt we didn’t rush and spot , we had enough time to explore and take pictures. Hotels were really good and in downtowns so you could enjoy the local atmosphere. You can opt out night tour and gondola but must take Take cruise for Malingne lake .

—Deepa · 5-Day Canadian Rockies Tour: Banff, Yoho, Jasper, Lake Louise, Icefield from Calgary (Incl. Breakfast, Airport Transfer)

My parents recently went on a trip to Calgary, Banff, and Jasper, and they really enjoyed it. I booked this tour for them, and everything was very well organized. The tour company took care of everything, including the hotels, travel, and excursions, so my parents did not have to worry about anything. The hotels were very nice and comfortable. Joseph, Helena, and Dee were very nice and helpful tour guides. They took good care of my parents and made sure they were comfortable and enjoying the trip. My parents loved the beautiful views and had a great time exploring Banff and Jasper. They came back very happy with lots of good memories. I really appreciate the whole team for making my parents’ trip easy, enjoyable, and memorable. I would definitely recommend this tour to others.

—Gurmeet · 5-Day Picturesque Columbia Icefield,Jasper, Banff and Yoho Tour from Calgary with Crossing Resort Overnight

We booked our Columbia Icefield tour with Calgary Tour and our guide, Bowen, was fantastic. He is highly experienced and incredibly efficient. Despite experiencing some delays at the Icefield attraction itself, Bowen managed the timeline perfectly and got us back to our hotel exactly on time without ever making us feel rushed. The Icefield experience was great, though very crowded. My advice is to dress in layers; because of the high elevation and wind, it felt below freezing even though the valley weather was in the high 80s. Also, the glacier water is absolutely freezing if you are brave enough to touch it! Overall, the 6-hour round trip from Calgary is well worth it, especially if you want to avoid driving.

—Jenny · 1-Day Columbia Icefield and Banff Tour from Calgary/Banff - Icefields Parkway, Ice Explorer, Minnewanka, Peyto and Bow Lake

We booked our Columbia Icefield tour through TakeTours, and our guide, Bowen, was fantastic. He is highly experienced and incredibly efficient. Despite experiencing some delays at the Icefield attraction itself, Bowen managed the timeline perfectly and got us back to our hotel exactly on time without ever making us feel rushed. The Icefield experience was great, though very crowded. My advice is to dress in layers; because of the high elevation and wind, it felt below freezing even though the valley weather was in the high 80s. Also, the glacier water is absolutely freezing if you are brave enough to touch it! Overall, the 6-hour round trip from Calgary is well worth it, especially if you want to avoid driving. Pro tip: Look for bookings about a month in advance, as you might get lucky and snag a 10% discount compared to booking super early.

—Ping · 1-Day Columbia Icefield and Banff Tour from Calgary/Banff - Icefields Parkway, Ice Explorer, Minnewanka, Peyto and Bow Lake

The tour was very well organised. Raymond and Allen were great guides, friendly and entertaining! They made our trip comfortable and amazing. The timings were adhered to very well and all the activities that were described in the tour got completed. This was our first tour with you guys and we really loved it. One more good thing was that all the charges were included (including the tips and service charges) and we did not have to pay a single dollar for any expense other than our personal expenses.

—Sudhi Ranjan · 5-Day Canadian Rockies: Banff, Columbia Icefield & Okanagan from Calgary to Vancouver (Incl. Breakfast & Airport Transfer)

The whole trip was well organized from the transportation to the hotel arrangements and sightseeing schedule. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and made every stop fun and meaningful. We got to see stunning views like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Athabasca Falls — each place was breathtaking! One small note — I purchased four breakfast meals through the package. They were quite pricey, and unfortunately, the hotel breakfast wasn’t worth the cost. It would be great if that part could be improved or adjusted in the future.

—Viola · 5-Day Canadian Rockies: Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Lake Louise & Icefield Tour from Calgary | Town Center Stays (Airport Transfer)
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