Travel to Banff

Travel to Banff

Almost 12,000 years ago, the first groups of native people travelled through Banff, followed by explorers, missionaries and railway workers.

Banff, situated in the Canadian Rockies, is unquestionably one of the most beautiful mountain resorts, with its magnificent towering snow-capped mountains, waterfalls that crash over ancient limestone, caves and basins, national parks and an abundance of other natural beauty.

Transportation to Banff

The closest airport to Banff is at Calgary, about 145kms from Banff Town. From here, passengers have a number of travelling options to reach Banff including hiring a car, getting a bus or private shuttle from the airport, or taking the Rocky Mountaineer train on a picturesque ride up into the mountains.

Driving from Calgary to Banff takes about 1 to 2 hours on the excellent Trans Canada Highway, also known as Highway 1. Head west following the signs to the Banff exit, which are clearly marked, and from here it is just a short drive to Banff Town. Almost hourly buses commute daily from the airport and Calgarys main bus depot to Banff.

What to see

Banff offers visitors a chance to commune with nature, as there are several national parks here with abundant wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, elk, deer and even rare snails. There are hot springs, waterfalls and museums to visit in the area.

The Banff Museum and the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies both offer an insight into the history of the surrounding area up to the current day. There are some very interesting and exciting facts to be discovered at the museums. Also not to be missed, Lake Minnewanka and Lake Louise are two very beautiful areas that have an air of tranquillity and unmatched beauty.

Daytrips

The areas surrounding Banff are slightly less tourist populated and worth driving around to appreciate the beauty and magnitude of the Rocky Mountains. Jasper National Park is much larger than Banffs national park, and it has a wilder, less commercialised ambience. Jasper still maintains the feel of an old frontier town and it has a small museum that tells the story of the fur trade in this area.

Activities and leisure

Outdoor activities are the highlight here and these include hiking, walking, animal-watching, horseback riding, cycling and white water rafting, which are all available during the summer and the early parts of the winter.

During winter, skiing, tobogganing, ice skating, sleigh riding and many other activities are available. Bowling and billiards are available at the town centre, while boating and fishing can be arranged at Lake Minnewanka. It is also possible to rent a canoe for paddling or try kayaking on the lake.

Safety issues

There has been an increase in petty crime at Banff along with the growing number of tourists. Pick-pocketing is the most common form of petty crime followed by bag-snatching. However, in general, Banff is a safe town to visit. We recommend that all travellers purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy, as this will give them some peace of mind in the unlikely event of a problem.