Nestled amongst the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park is a breathtaking destination that will stay etched in your memory. While you could certainly spend weeks in the area, a 5 day Banff itinerary allows you to explore everything from Morraine Lake through Icefields Parkway. The turquoise hues of the waters and the majestic yet rustic scenes of nature will leave your mouth open in awe. Whether you have 5 days or more, let me help you plan your perfect visit to Banff.
Getting There:
I find arriving to Banff National Park to be the most convenient traveling in and out of Calgary International Airport. If you are more focused on Jasper National Park, Edmonton would be the only other airport in the area. Calgary has a pretty robust selection of carriers flying in and out on a daily basis. My airline of choice is American Airlines. They have flights from Dallas, Chicago, and Charlotte that vary dependent upon the time of year you are planning your travel. Once you arrive to Calgary, the driving time to Banff is close to 1 hour and 45 minutes. If you are going to Lake Louise, it adds approximately 30 minutes. For this reason, if you are flying in late or leaving early in the morning, I recommend a one night stay in Calgary proper to make things a little easier. This also potentially lowers the cost of a hotel stay as options in Calgary are definitely more cost friendly. The Fairmont Palliser is just under 30 minutes from the airport. It has an elegant interior, a great bar, and places you in walking distance to some tasty restaurants. If you really want convenience, the Marriott Calgary is located within the airport.
Weather:
When to travel to Banff is really a matter of personal preference. I have always visited in the summer months, so I cannot comment on winter travel to the area. The summer is still relatively cool, so plan to dress in layers and bring some warmer clothing. I dressed with pants and jackets in the morning removing layers or changing clothes as the day progressed. The weather in the summer stays pretty mild and rain can occur with frequency. It would most definitely be within reason to bring along a raincoat for your trip. As you travel Icefield’s Parkway, do not be surprised if you are met with short bursts of rain. They are often exactly that.
Transportation:
The freedom of renting a car in Banff really cannot be ignored. I loved having our car rental on previous travels to explore everywhere that we needed. I recommend picking up your rental at Calgary International Airport. The car rental area is a slight walk from where you pick up your baggage. You can compare car rental options with Discover Cars. While it is possible to take a Banff Airport shuttle, I cannot imagine not renting a car.
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Accommodations:
The hotels listed below are all properties that I have personally stayed at. As you might note, they are all Fairmont properties except one. Fairmont is now part of Accor Hotel Group. Their loyalty program does provide a number of benefits. Outside of their loyalty, the Fairmont properties are iconic in the Banff area. Let me give you my honest opinion of each.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The Fairmont Lake Louise is literally steps away from Lake Louise. From almost all viewpoints of the lake, you see its looming presence. The joy and convenience of waking up to a sunset at Lake Louise cannot be overlooked. On two separate occasions, I have stayed at the property. While I do not feel the customer service at this property meets that of other Fairmont hotels, I still believe a stay here is “worth it.” They are offering a novelty that no one else in the area can really offer. It is first hand access to the lake. The rooms here are nice and similar to other Fairmont products. They have been in the process of a renovation, so keep this in mind when booking.
Fairmont Banff Springs. This is my favorite of all the hotels listed. The Banff Fairmont has everything you could want and more. While many of the Fairmont rooms share similarities, I like the esthetic at this property the most. You could spend quite some time just getting lost exploring. The pool has beautiful views, the restaurant choices are vast, and the Fairmont properties always makes unique cocktails. On my previous stay, I regretted not booking a longer stay. It is simply beautiful!
Post Hotel & Spa. I had to throw at least one property in the mix that is not a Fairmont. Post Hotel is a Relais and Chateaux property positioned in very close proximity to Lake Louise. It is a more inexpensive choice as compared to the Fairmont. While I didn’t love everything about this property, it has several advantages. The log cabin appearance of this property with small cottages next to the river is so cozy. In the summer, the flower boxes are filled with colorful flowers. The advantages of this property are parking is very easy and located right outside the front door. Post Hotel has an incredible restaurant called The Dining Room, and you are going to want to make a reservation here. It was a highlight of our stay. They also provide shuttle transfers to Moraine Lake with plenty of times. When I booked the shuttle just a few days in advance of an August stay, there was no issue with availability. The only thing that I did not love about this property was the room. I chose just the entry level room. The bed and pillows were not comfortable, and I thought the room needed an update. The toilet was in a separate room across a small hallway from the tub and shower. It was a very small room, and it didn’t seem practical. That being said, the bathtub was nice and the L’Occitane products smelled delightful.
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. This property is somewhat similar to the Post Hotel and Spa in that it is a series of log cabins scattered around the stunning Beauvert Lake. With so many famous lakes in Banff and Jasper, Beauvert Lake definitely holds it own. I felt that the rooms at the Jasper Park Lodge were not as nice as the other Fairmont properties, so that was a slight disappointment. While Banff and Lake Louise seem to be more popular, the beauty of Jasper is undeniable. The Jasper Park Lodge offers a reprieve from the crowds present at the other properties. It is also a nice stopping point after spending the day driving up Icefield’s Parkway.
Fairmont Palliser. The Palliser property is located in Calgary and provides a great stopping point when traveling in and out of Calgary’s International Airport. I have stayed at this property both upon my arrival and also the evening before departure for convenience. The prices are more reasonable than the properties in Banff, so it can be cost effective. If you are a loyalty member with Accor, the Palliser offers some pretty amazing suite night upgrades. I upgraded to a suite on our last visit at an amazing discount, and it also included access to their gold lounge.
Day by Day Guide:
Here are some 5 day Banff itineraries to assist in planning your trip:
Sample Itinerary One (four evenings, five days)
Day one: Arrival to Calgary and travel to Lake Louise. Rent a canoe to paddle around Lake Louise in the afternoon/early evening. Spend the evening at Lake Louise.
The canoe rental experience is worth trying at least once. If you stay at the Fairmont, there is a separate line for hotel guests. It is spectacular to see the water from the canoe and get a different perspective on your surroundings.
Day two: Take the morning shuttle to Moraine Lake spending a couple of hours in AM, have lunch at the Fairmont, and spend the afternoon on a hike around the lake. End your night at Lake Louise.
*Moraine Lake is accessible from June to October. A stay at the Fairmont or Post Hotel allows access via one of their hotel operated shuttles. There is a fee for the shuttle. I recommend arriving very early or closer to the end of the day to avoid crowds. There is also the option to go at sunrise. Private vehicles are not allowed access to the road to Moraine Lake.
A stay at Moraine Lake Lodge is the only way to drive your vehicle up to the lake. Much like staying at the Fairmont Lake Louise, you have first hand access to Moraine Lake. The accommodations embody the rustic lodge feel. Amenities included with the stay are guided hikes, fresh breakfast, canoe rentals, and more. They also have a sister property Cathedral Mountain Lodge in Yoho National Park about 30 minutes from Moraine Lake that includes a similar list of amenities.
Day three: Sunrise at Lake Louise, have breakfast at the Fairmont and leave Lake Louise for your road trip along Icefields Parkway. Drive Icefields Parkway making all of the stops. This path is the two lane road that takes you to Jasper. There are many breathtaking stops along the way such as Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and the Glacier Sky Walk. End your day in Jasper spending the night.
The drive time along Icefields Parkway without stops is approximately 3 hours. Almost all of the sites have restrooms and plenty of parking. Make sure you have plenty of gas prior to the start of your drive! If you make all of the stops, this will be a long but very rewarding day.
Day four: Drive to Banff and spend the remainder of the day exploring town or the Fairmont Banff Springs.
Day five: Enjoy Banff for the remainder of the trip and travel back to Calgary for departure.
Sample Itinerary Two (five evenings, six days)
Day one: Arrival to Calgary and spend evening at Fairmont Palliser.
Day two: Drive in AM to Lake Louise, have lunch at the Fairmont Lake Louise, spend the afternoon on a hike around the lake.
There are many wonderful hiking options that all start at Lake Louise. I have attempted the Plain of Six Glaciers Hike, but due to poor weather had to turn around nearing the end of the hike. This hike will take you by the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse. Other hikes such as the Little Beehive or Big Beehive will take you to the more popular Lake Agnes Teahouse. If you are looking for something very basic, you can just walk the path around Lake Louise. It is completely flat and even stroller friendly.
Day three: Take the shuttle to Lake Moraine in the AM, leave Lake Louise and drive Icefields Parkway making all of the stops, spend the evening in Jasper.
Day four: Travel to Maligne Lake to visit Spirit Island and explore/make stops along the drive, spend evening in Jasper VERSUS travel back to Banff in AM to explore Lake Minnewanka or hike in the area.
Here is a link on more information about things to do in Jasper.
Day five: Drive to Banff and spend the remainder of the day and evening exploring Banff town and the Fairmont Banff Springs, spend evening at Fairmont Banff Springs.
Day six: Travel to Calgary for flight home
I utilized the second itinerary for my first trip to Banff. The main change I would make is the amount of time spent in Banff. While exploring Jasper was wonderful, I felt it did not leave me enough time to enjoy everything Banff had to offer. For this reason, I included the option to return to Banff on day four.
Packing Essentials:
If you are traveling in the summer, here is a list of essentials that I recommend bringing.
- Hiking boots
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Layered clothing
- Daypack
- Bear deterrent for hiking. Many of the Fairmont hotels can provide you with bear spray.
- Umbrella versus raincoat
Whether you have three days or three weeks, a visit to Banff can be planned in many ways in order accommodate your schedule. Five days in Banff provides you with plenty of time to explore this beautiful region of Canada. Traveling in and out of Calgary provides the best access to the area. Renting a car allows you the freedom to see the area on your own time. I enjoyed spending time in the town of Banff, exploring Lake Louise, and traveling up Icefields Parkway. I hope these five day Banff itineraries help you to plan your next trip!
