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.
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, The Fat Ox of Banff (415 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.
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″.
Although Banff doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Calgary Airport (YYC), which is located 67 miles from Banff. Calgary Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from Air Canada, Aeromexico, Delta 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.
Another option to get to Banff is to pick up a car rental from Calgary, which is about 66 miles from Banff. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Avis, among others, in Calgary.
Several bus lines operate bus routes to Banff, including Rider Express, Cold Shot and Red Arrow. From Edmonton, the bus ride to Banff takes 165 miles and will cost you around $35. From Kamloops, the ticket costs about $168 for a journey of 510 miles. The most popular bus station is Banff Banff, Ab, located 0.5 miles from downtown Banff. Banff Red-Carpet Inn is also a commonly used station, and is 0.4 miles from the city center.
If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Best Western Plus Siding 29 Lodge and Bow View Lodge.
Renting a car in Banff costs $78 per day, on average, or $233 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 miles from the city center.
Expect to pay $5.22 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 $62.69 and $83.58. 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 Standard rental cars (Class Standard Car or similar) are, on average, 41% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.