The Perfect Banff Itinerary: 3 and 5 Days (2024)
Having a Banff itinerary is a big help to time visitors, because there is so much incredible beauty and things to do in the park.
There are over 600 km (over 1,000 miles) of hiking trails in Banff National Park, hundreds of glaciers, over 100 mountain peaks, and dozens of turquoise-blue lakes.
It’s no wonder that Banff National Park is a UNSECO World Heritage Site, and easily one of the most visited places in Canada.
Being Canadian and having made several trips to Banff over the years- I’ve crafted a Banff Itinerary with 3 and 5 day options that can be done with or without a car.
Having a car is helpful in Banff, but you don’t need one. In fact, these days, it’s become increasingly hard to park at attractions in Banff because of the volume of tourists during the warm months.
So, you’ll be able to choose which of these itinerary options suits your preferences best. Whether you’ll be in Banff for 3 days or 5, with a car or without, this itinerary will allow you to experience the best of Banff.
What You Need to Know About this Banff Itinerary
✅ It can be done with or without a car (I will provide options for getting to the attractions via public transit or driving.)
✅ It can be used year-round, but it is more focused on the months between spring and fall.
✅ It’s suitable for all ages. I specialize in family travel, and my husband and I have brought both seniors and children in Banff. There will be options for add-ons for those that are looking for a little extra adventure.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a car in Banff, I recommend grabbing a 3-day pass for the ROAM Transit.
Banff 3 Day Itinerary
I recommend staying over the night before and waking up in Banff for the ‘first day’ of the itinerary
Day 1 in Banff
Day 1 will be spent exploring the activities in downtown Banff.
1. Head to the Banff Gondola
The Banff Gondola should be at the top of your priority list near the town of Banff. It takes you to the top of Sulphur mountain, which is right in the heart of the rockies and gives you incredible panoramic views of other mountain peaks.
Your options for getting to the Banff Gondola from downtown Banff are:
- Drive, if you have a vehicle with you. (Its a 10 minute drive from downtown Banff.)
- Take the ROAM Public Transit Route 1. (It costs $2 per person to get to the gondola one way. Free for kids under 12 or if you have a pass).
You can buy your ticket for the Banff gondola upon arrival, but I recommend grabbing tickets in advance just to save time.
At the top of the Sulphur Mountain, there’s a viewing platform, restaurant called Sky Bistro that looks out onto the rockies, and gift shop. Give yourself 1-2 hours for the whole Banff Gondola experience. (More, if you want to eat at the Sky Bistro.)
If you decide to eat at the Sky Bistro, reservations would be needed in advance since its very popular. Reservations can be made on their website.
If you prefer, you could save the Banff Gondola until the end of the day (as its open until 9pm.) This would allow you to see the views at sunset, and eat dinner at Sky Bistro during the dinner hour.
2. Walk down the main street of Banff
The main street of Banff is called Banff Avenue.
There are a lot of great stores, as well as art galleries and museums. It’s a great place to look for a Canadian souvenir or gift, or simply window-shop.
One of my favourites art galleries in Banff is the All in the Wild Photography Studio. I’d recommend popping in to look at amazing photographs of Canadian photography.
Restaurants in Banff tend to be open until 9-10pm. Be sure to make reservations if you’re eating at popular times around the dinner hour, especially if you’re visiting in July or August.
Some of the restaurants in Banff I’d recommend (for tonight, or during your whole stay) are The Bison Restaurant, Pacini Banff, Farm and Fire or Coyotes Southwestern Grill if you appreciate fresh ingredients.
There’s fast-food options like A&W, and chains like The Keg. Most of the restaurants are on Banff Avenue, and the majority are on the south end of the street.
Just be sure to make reservations if you’re staying at any of the popular, sit-down places.
3. (Optional) walk along the Bow River Trail
Depending on how early your first day in Banff starts, then you may have time for a third activity on the first day.
If this is the case, I recommend walking along the Bow River Trail, which is within walking distance of downtown. There is a small waterfall along the trail called Bow River Falls.
From downtown Banff, it’s about 1.6 km (0.9 miles) to where the Bow River Falls are. The path is mostly flat, but there are some stairs at the end as you get closer to the falls.
To make the walk to the falls shorter, you could drive to Cascade of Time Garden and park near there. From there, its only a 15 minute walk to the falls. Here is a map of the walk to the falls from downtown.
At the end of your first day in Banff, grab dinner (if you haven’t had it yet) and head back to your accommodation to rest up for tomorrow.
Day 2 in Banff
On day 2, we’re going to hit two of the most iconic, famous sights in Banff – Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.
I recommend using public transit or taking a tour for today, because the parking situation at both of these famous attractions has become near impossible.
If you’re visiting Banff in summer, the parking lot at Lake Louise will fill up before sunrise, and parking at Moraine Lake has been completely closed to personal vehicles since 2023.
Visiting via public transit options or tours (I’ll provide two different options) is the more relaxing way to visit these two lakes, but you can modify the plans for today to drive to Lake Louise if you prefer.
1. Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are both glacier fed lakes with tall snow-tipped mountain peaks, and turquoise waters. They are two of the most beautiful sights in Canada.
The two lakes are located about 11.5 km (7.1 miles) from each other – about a 10 minute drive. But, they are a 30-40 minute drive from downtown Banff.
I would recommend using the shuttle service or booking this private tour to see these two famous lakes today.
If the tour isn’t available or if you’re in Banff with kids under the age of 12, then I recommend booking the shuttle service.
Here are your options for the shuttle service:
- Option 1: Shuttles to Moraine Lake with a 1-hour stop at Lake Louise Lakeshore en route to Moraine Lake. These are great for most visitors who just want to see the lake.
- Option 2: Make two separate shuttle bookings; one ‘Direct to Moraine Lake’ and another ‘Direct to Lake Louise’ on the same day. These are best for visitors who wants to hike or otherwise spend more than an hour at each lake.
If you book the shuttle service, select the “Moraine Lake with 1 hour stop at Lake Louise” option. I recommend selecting one of the early morning times.
Important note: Travellers must be 12 years old for the tour I recommended above, but the Moraine Lake and Lake Louise shuttle bus accommodates all ages. If you’re in Banff with a toddler or baby, then you must bring a child safety seat for them on the shuttle.
Visits at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.
If you simply want to take in the views and get photos, then you only need up to 30 minutes.
You need more time than that if you want to do activities like canoeing, and walk on some of the trails.
2. Back to Banff
Regardless of which Moraine Lake and Lake Louise tour you took, you will probably arrive back in Banff by late afternoon or early evening.
After dinner, I recommend heading to the “Banff” sign to get the mandatory tourist photo. It’s about a 10 minute walk, or a 3-minute drive from downtown Banff.
If you still have some energy left after dinner and the Banff sign, then you have a few options:
- Walk along the Bow River Trail if you didn’t have a chance to yesterday. I recommend taking the trail east along the riverfront to the Bow River Falls (approximately 1.6 km or 0.9 miles), which is about a 20 minute walk from downtown Banff
- Head to the Cascade of Time Garden, which is on the other side of the river from the town (about a 3 minute drive or 10 minute walk from downtown.) It’s a beautiful, blooming garden in the summer months and a lit up winter wonderland in the cold months.
- Head to the Banff Upper Hot Springs, which makes a great way to unwind after a busy day. It’s popular, so I wouldn’t expect total tranquility but it’s a thermal hot tub overlooking the rockies. Tickets can be bought on-site.
Afterwards, head back to your accommodation and rest up for a busy 3rd day in Banff tomorrow.
Day 3 in Banff
Today will be a busy day. You will need:
- Good walking shoes
- Dress for the weather (be sure to include layers that you can put on or take off)
- Bug spray (spring through fall)
1. Head to Johnston Canyon
Right after breakfast, you’re going to head to the Johnston Canyon which is 20 minute drive from the town of Banff. It’s the most popular scenic trail in Banff, so I recommend getting there as early as possible.
You have two options for getting there:
- Drive, which takes 20 minutes. If you’re visiting in high season, leave as early as possible. The parking lot is large, but it does fill up in the morning.
- Take the Roam Transit route 9, which runs daily from mid-May until October and during weekends only the rest of the year.
The Johnston Canyon is a winding trail through a canyon ridge. There are two trail options (one is very easy, and the other is moderate.)
They both lead to a different waterfall – the Upper Falls, or the Lower Falls.
You have two different trails to choose from, depending on how long you want to hike for. They are:
- Upper Falls Trail – 5 km (3.8 mile) takes 2-3 hours roundtrip
- Lower Falls Trail – 2.2 km (1.36 miles) takes about 1 hour roundtrip
Since your time in Banff is short, you may want to choose Lower Falls (pictured below) so that you have more flexibility for your last afternoon in Banff.
Both waterfalls are beautiful; the Upper Falls are taller but further way from the viewing platform. The Lower Falls allow you to get closer which some visitors appreciate more.
2. Do your chosen hike
Whatever hike you choose at the Johnston Canyon will not disappoint. The views are incredibly rare-looking, and unusual on both trails.
Since the canyon ridges are quite tall, its a shaded hike, but you should still plan to be ‘outside’ the whole time as there isn’t really any shelter.
3. Back to Banff and/or Lunch
If you took the Roam Bus to Johnston Canyon, then you’ll have to make your way back to Banff. I recommend doing that as soon as possible and grabbing lunch in Banff.
If you drove to the Johnston Canyon, then there’s no need to return to Banff. You can head straight to the next activity from the Johnston Canyon, but you’ll probably want to have something to eat first.
If you drive from Johnston Canyon to Lake Minnewanka, you’ll be passing through Banff, so you could grab something there.
Another option is to eat near the Johnston Canyon.
Lunch near the Johnston Canyon
Near the Johnston Canyon is the Blackswift Lodge, which is said to have the “Best coffee in Banff National Park”. It’s open during the summer only.
They have three different options for getting food:
- The Blackswift Bistro (the sit-down meal option)
- The Market Café
- The Shack, which is an outdoor wooden snack shack that sells grab and go items in the summer
4. Your choice between three options
After your hike at the Johnson Canyon, you’re going to head to one of the three activities.
- Lake Minnewanka -a gorgeous glacier-fed lake among mountains
- Back to Banff village -to see some things you had not seen before.
- Yoho National Park -another national park in the rockies, located in British Columbia, 45 minutes from Banff
Your choice between these three will depend on the weather, your energy levels, and whether or not you have a car.
I would recommend choosing one of the first two options, since they are apart of Banff. You should only choose Yoho National Park if:
- You have a car (there are no public transit options to Yoho National Park, and personal vehicle is the only way to get there from Banff)
- You already saw Lake Minnewanka (if you did the Moraine Lake + Lake Louise tour yesterday, then you will have already seen it.)
If you choose Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka is a gorgeous glacier-fed lake just 20 minute drive from the town of Banff.
It’s very popular, and the parking lot is often full in summer. If you’re visiting in summer, I would time your visit so that you arrive later in the afternoon as that is when a lot of people are leaving.
If you’re visiting during other seasons (winter, spring or fall) then it shouldn’t be too difficult to find parking.
Ultimately, you have three options for getting to Lake Minnewanka (besides driving directly from Johnston Canyon which you’d do if you have a car with you):
- Bike (you can rent a bike from downtown Banff, and it would take about an hour and a half
- Take Roam Route 6 from downtown Banff (about a 25 minute ride)
If you’re visiting sometime between May and October, then I highly recommend doing a Lake Minnewanka boat cruise, which is 1 hour. Cruises can be booked through Viator or through the company website.
They recommend showing up 2 hours before your cruise time in order to guarantee a parking spot and have time to explore the area before your cruise. This is especially true if you’re visiting during high season.
Other things to do at Lake Minnewanka, besides a cruise:
- Rent your own equipment such as a kayak, paddleboard or motorboat. Rentals are first-come first-served. See prices here.
- Cross country skiing or snowshoeing (winter only)
We spent some time just walking along the trails, taking in views of the lake and we found it so beautiful and relaxing.
If you choose Yoho National Park
Yoho National Park is about a 45 minute drive from the Johnston Canyon. You can leave from Johnston Canyon directly after your hike and/or lunch.
If you’re not driving, you can also book a day tour to see the highlights of Yoho National Park. This tour is 8 hours and shows you all the best sights – Emerald Lake (pictured below), Takakkaw Falls and more.
If you choose to head back to Banff
There’s a lot to do in the town of Banff, which you may not have had time to cover on the first few days.
To sum it up, here are some options of things to do in Banff after the Johnston Canyon hike:
- Cave and Basin National Historic Sight – an underground cave with thermal springs that formed over 10,000 years ago. See visiting info here.
- Museums: Buffalo Nationals Museum, or Banff Park Museum National Historic Sight
- Bow River Falls Trail, or spending time walking up the main street (if you didn’t already)
Banff 5 Day Itinerary
5 days in Banff is enough time to see all the gems in the rockies, and to have time in each place to do some activities. I would recommend 5 days over 3 days in Banff, because 3 days is the bare minimum time you need just to see the highlights.
Days 1 & 2
5 day Banff Itinerary
Days 1 and 2 of your 5-day Banff itinerary can be followed exactly the same as the first two days as the 3-day itinerary above.
Here is a snap shot of how the first two days will go (and feel free to scroll up for more information:)
Day 1
- Visiting the town of Banff (walk up the main street for window shopping, pop into art galleries and museums, do the Bow River Trail and see the Bow River Falls)
Day 2
- Visiting Moraine Lake, and Lake Louise
- Take a photo of the “Banff” sign
Even though you have a car in Banff, I recommend using the shuttle service to see Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, especially during high season.
Day 3 in Banff
5 day Banff Itinerary
Day 3 is where the 5 day itinerary to Banff looks different from the 3 day, because you have more time to enjoy the attractions rather than having to squeeze two of them into the 3rd day.
Your 3rd day of the 5 day Banff itinerary will be spent at Johnston Canyon. Be sure to wear good walking shoes, bring layers and dress for the weather.
1. Head straight to Johnson Canyon.
The beginning of day 3 will be the same as the beginning of day 3 on the 3-day Banff Itinerary – the difference is going to be the amount of time you have, and what you do after the hike.
Choose between your two Johnston Canyon hikes: Upper Falls Trail (5 km/3.8 miles and takes 2-3 hours) or the Lower Falls Trail (2.2 km/1.36 miles and takes 1 hour roundtrip.)
I did the Upper Falls trail while carrying a 1-year old on my back, and my fitness level was only average. So the Upper Falls is doable as long as you have some fitness ability.
2. Lunch + Afternoon in Banff
After your hike, head back to Banff. Whether you did the 1 hour or 3 hour hike, you’ll have enough time to spend the afternoon in Banff
Head to the Cave Basin National Historic Sight, which is open until 5pm. It’s an x minute drive from Banff, or you can take ROAM transit route 4.
You have two options:
- Visit the cave only
- Get a thermal pass, which also allows you to visit the Banff Upper Hot Springs (which I highly recommend) and is open until 10pm
Visiting the Banff springs is a great way to relax after your hike. The springs have a great view of the rockies.
Pro Tip: You can even time your visit so that you’re in the thermal hot tub overlooking the mountains at sunset.
To buy the thermal pass, head to the Cave and Basin site first and buy the pass in person there (they don’t sell them online.)
Most people spend a couple hours exploring the cave, and then another 30-45 minutes at the Banff Upper Hot Springs. There is a bistro on site and a gift shop at the hot springs, or you could head back to Banff for dinner.
The two locations are a 10 minute drive from each other, but they’re both also on ROAM transit.
After your afternoon at the cave and spa, rest up for your 4th day in Banff.
Day 4 in Banff
5 Day Banff Itinerary
1. Head to Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka is about X from Banff, and there are three ways to get to there from Banff:
- Drive (about 20 minutes)
- Bike – you can rent a bike from Banff Cycle & Sport in downtown Banff, and it would take about an hour and a half to get there
- Take Roam Route 6 from downtown Banff (about a 25 minute ride)
If your visit falls between May and October, then I highly recommend doing a Lake Minnewanka boat cruise, which are 1 hour long. They take you around the lake, and there is live commentary teaching you interesting facts about the area.
Cruises can be booked through Viator or through the company website.
You should arrive at Lake Minnewanka at least 2 hours before your cruise time in order to guarantee a parking spot and have time to explore the area before your cruise. (Especially if you’re visiting during the summer, because the parking lot does fill up.)
Besides doing a boat cruise at Lake Minnewanka, other things to do are:
- Simply walk along the lake, exploring the pristine views. This was my favourite part about visiting Lake Minnewanka
- Go kayaking, paddle-boarding or rent a motorboat. Rentals are arranged on-site at Lake Minnewanka (you cannot reserve in advance.) More info here.
- If you’re visiting in winter, you could do cross country skiing or snowshoeing
2. Lunch + Afternoon in Banff
Head back to Banff after spending some time in Lake Minnewanka, and grab lunch.
After lunch, head over to the Cascade of Time Garden which is just over the bridge from Banff. (The bridge is pedestrian friendly, but you can drive too.)
I’d recommend walking to the Cascade of Time Garden because it’s only a 10 minute walk from downtown Banff.
The Cascade of Time Garden is beautiful year-round, with flowers blooming in the summer, and lights that illuminate the area in the winter. There are picturesque views of surrounding mountains.
Entrance is free, and you don’t need a lot of time at the garden. In the summer, you may be here for an hour. I would say less time if its a chilly day during other seasons of the year.
Pro Tip: If the weather isn’t great or you don’t fancy the garden for any reason, then there are some great museums in Banff instead. (I recommend Banff National Historic Site, or Buffalo Nations Museum.)
Day 5 in Banff
5 Day Banff Itinerary
1. Head to Yoho National Park
The final day of your 5 days in Banff will be spent exploring a different national park in the Canadian rockies, which is about 82.5 km (51.2 miles) from Banff – Yoho National Park.
Yoho in actually in the province of British Columbia, and like Banff, is pristinely, breathtakingly beautiful.
We drove around, enjoying the various sites. We didn’t really plan ahead, and you don’t need to – it will be self explanatory and well-marked with signs when you arrive.
The key things to get a look at are:
- Emerald Lake (the busiest area in the park, possibly the only place where you may see some crowding, mostly in July and August)
- Kicking Horse River
- Lake O’Hara
- Takakkaw Falls
Another option (whether or not you have a car in Banff) is to book this full day tour in Yoho which brings you to see all the key things that there are to see – Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls and more.
If you do the tour, your Yoho park pass fees are included, but otherwise you can buy them at the gate upon arrival. It’s $11 for adults, and under 17s are free of charge.
2. Evening in Banff
Visiting Yoho National Park will take most of the day, especially when you factor in the time it takes to head there and back from Banff.
Pro Tip: Most restaurants in Banff take online reservations, and I recommend making them especially if you’re visiting in July or August.
Where to Stay in Banff
Here are some of the best places to stay in the town of Banff and the surrounding areas
If you have a car, you have more options on where to stay in the area. Your main options are:
- stay right in the town of Banff
- stay in the town of Canmore which is 15 minutes away.
I chose to stay in Canmore my first time in Banff because it’s a lot cheaper, and a cute town in itself. Since you have a car, this is a viable option.
Overall, here are places I recommend in both Banff and Canmore:
- Budget: Canmore Inn & Suites -15 minute drive from Banff, has a swimming pool with waterslide and an on-site restaurant (I stayed here once with kids and we really enjoyed it.)
- Mid-Range: Brewster Mountain Lodge Right downtown Banff, has beautiful rooms and offers a hearty breakfast
- Luxury:The Fairmont Banff Springs is honeymoon-level luxury and just 25 minutes from downtown Banff, surrounded by rockies
Banff Itinerary FAQ
Here are the most commonly asked questions about the amount of time to spend in Banff, and how to get around Banff
How many days in Banff is enough?
To visit Banff, you need a minimum of 3 days and 4 nights. However, I would recommend more time if you want to do activities like canoeing, hiking, skiing, museums, and other outdoor adventure activities. I believe 5 days is optimal in Banff, but 3 days is certainly doable.
Can you do Banff in 3 days?
Yes, it’s possible to do Banff in 3 days. You may not have time for extensive leisurely activities, but 3 days is enough time to see all the highlights in Banff.
Do you need a car in Banff?
A car is helpful in Banff, but you don’t need one to get around Banff. In fact, the parking situation at some of the Banff attractions is so challenging that it’s almost easier to get around Banff using the number of public transit options that are available.
Final Thoughts on this Banff Itinerary
Whether you’re interested in outdoor activities, or simply want to take in the gorgeous views, you’ll find no shortage of things to do in Banff, year-round.
If you have any flexibility in your schedule, I recommend adding on a 4th or 6th day to your Banff itinerary to explore the Icefields parkway. You can do this by car or there are tours that take you there as well. Take a look at our 7 day itinerary of Banff and Jasper.
You could take the Icefields Parkway all the way to Jasper, or simply drive up for a while before heading back to Banff. I missed the Icefields Parkway during my first trip in Banff and deeply regretted it.
Regardless of whether you have 3 days, 5, or more, I am certain that you’ll be in awe of the beauty of Banff and the Canadian rockies, and most definitely will want to visit again.