Banff Area Travel Tips

1. Transportation

I highly recommend doing this road trip in a van, we used Moterra Vans which have a location in Whitefish or Salt Lake City! Here is a booking link you can use!

Moterra Van Rental

2. Visiting Moraine Lake

The narrow winding road from Lake Louise Village to Moraine Lake is only open from mid-May/June to mid-October. Because it passes a hazardous avalanche path, it’s closed and inaccessible during winter. As of spring 2023, private vehicles are not allowed up the road to Moraine Lake anymore. Here is how you can still visit:

1. Moraine Lake Bus Company– sunrise option

Moraine Lake Bus Company is one of the very few companies that provide transportation to Moraine Lake soon enough to catch a sunrise (all sunrise options companies are mentioned below under ‘How to get to Moraine Lake’). It’s also the most budget-friendly since it’s transportation only (not a guided tour), and buses depart only from Lake Louise. The bus departs from Samson Mall in Lake Louise village for sunrise at Moraine Lake. You can choose a 4 am or 5 am departure.

If you’re a photographer, I’d suggest a 4 am option, so you have enough time to find a good spot, as you’ll be sharing it with lots of other photographers as well.

If you’re planning to go hiking at Moraine Lake, then the 5 am option is perfect. You catch a sunrise and start your hike before the crowds arrive.

2. Moraine Lake Parks Canada Shuttle – early morning option

Parks Canada operates Moraine Lake shuttles starting at 6:30 am with the last shuttle departing at 6 pm (and returning at 7:30 pm). For early departure, you need to book tickets online as soon as possible as they go very fast. When shuttle bookings opened in spring, early morning tickets were the first to be sold out. But afternoon and evening shuttles are less busy.

However, Parks Canada only releases 40% of available tickets. The remaining 60% of tickets will be released on a rolling window at 8 am and 48 hours before departure throughout the season.

3. Roam Transit

The direct Roam Transit bus only runs to Moraine Lake between September 19, 2023, and October 10, 2023. It’s a heavily used route by hikers for the larch season. For the schedule and fees of the Moraine Lake Route 10, from Banff to Moraine Lake, visit Roam Transit.

While you can pay directly on the bus, reservations are recommended. Roam bus tickets cost 10 CAD/adult (one-way), and children 12 and under are free (but require a reservation). Roam buses accept US and Canadian currency, but cash only.

4. Private Tour Companies

Hop-On Bus: You pay for a day pass and hop on the bus in Banff in the morning.

The bus has scheduled stops at Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise gondola, Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. You are free to get off/hop off the bus at any of these stops.

Note the bus schedule and hop back on whenever you’re ready to leave your destination.

5. Moraine Lake Sunrise Shuttle

Another option for sunrise is with the Moraine Lake sunrise shuttle. For 75 CAD/person, you get a round-trip sunrise shuttle service with pick up from Canmore, Banff or Lake Louise, a headlamp, blanket, complimentary hot drinks, and 2 hours at Moraine Lake. They also offer storage for photography gear, backpacks, strollers, and inflatable stand-up paddleboards.

6. Biking the road to Moraine Lake