Should You Rent a Car in Banff? Here’s What Families Need to Know
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All photos in this post were taken by me during our trip. I love capturing real experiences to give you an authentic look at what to expect.
Wondering if you should rent a car in Banff for your family trip? We’d say YES, and here’s why it matters. Renting a car isn’t just convenient. For families, it’s the key to a smoother, more flexible Banff trip.
Traveling with kids can be unpredictable and having your own rental car can take a lot of the stress out of navigating tricky situations. We cover all our rental tips (plus where to stop, what to pack, and more) in our free Banff Travel Guide — download it here.
We’ve been to Banff twice now and renting a car was essential both times. It gave us the flexibility to visit remote locations, slow down for scenic drives, catch sunrise, and chase spontaneous adventures.
Spy a perfect sledding hill on the edge of town? Not a problem because we had the sleds in the trunk. That’s the kind of freedom you only get with your own car in Banff.
Do You Need a Car in Banff?
Banff National Park spans over 2600 square miles and has over 1,000 miles of hiking trails, several scenic drives, and is home to 7 national historic sites. To take advantage of all this incredible park has to offer, renting a car for your family becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
While Banff does have a decent public transit system, it comes with some big caveats: buses can be full, late, or early, and you may end up waiting up to an hour for the next one. If you want to do scenic drives like the Icefields Parkway or hikes outside the main area, you’ll need a rental car or to book a tour.
For our family of four, the cost of using transit or tours to hit all our planned stops was almost the same as renting a car.
That said, Banff townsite itself is very walkable. From most hotels, you can walk to coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants, and even the movie theatre. But once you want to venture out to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, or Johnston Canyon, you’ll need wheels.
We stayed in Canmore both times as it’s just 20 minutes from Banff and makes a great base. There is a bus from Canmore into Banff, but again, it runs on a schedule and limited seating.
Pros of Renting a Car in Banff for Families
Flexibility to Match Your Family’s Pace
Renting a car provides flexibility, something every traveling family needs. Bathroom breaks, snack stops, spontaneous detours, and early exits for meltdowns are all much easier when you’re in control of your own transportation.
Part of what I love about traveling with kids is moving at their pace. When we drove the Icefields Parkway, we stopped whenever we wanted and stayed as long as they needed. We ended up spending over an hour at Peyto Lake because our daughter wanted to paint the view, a moment we never would’ve had on a rigid tour schedule.
Access to More of the Park
Having our own rental car gave us access to some of Banff’s most incredible (but less convenient) spots, like our drive to the Athabasca Glacier (2 hours away). We could explore beyond the townsite and even venture out to nearby gems like Kananaskis Country (just under an hour).
These are the places that make Banff really magical for families, and you’ll need your own car to reach them.
Easier Airport Arrivals (Especially with Kids)
The nearest airport to Banff is Calgary International (YYC), about 1.5 to 2 hours away. Yes, there are shuttles, but they come at an extra cost and run on fixed schedules.
When we flew in July 2024, our flight didn’t arrive until 10 PM. At that time, there were no viable shuttles into Banff but because we had our rental car, it was no problem.
Prepared for Emergencies
On our spring break trip, our son fractured his shoulder snowboarding. Having our own car meant we could drive him to the Banff ER without waiting on a shuttle or trying to call a cab. It took so much stress out of an already tricky day.
Bottom Line: Freedom to Make the Most of It
The freedom and flexibility that came with our rental car were some of the biggest gifts on our Banff vacation. It let us travel with less stress, respond to our kids’ needs, and take full advantage of everything this amazing park offers.
When You Might Skip Renting a Car in Banff
There are a few situations where skipping the rental could work even with kids:
- You’re only visiting for a day or two
- You’re not planning to drive the Icefields Parkway or explore outside the park
- Your entire itinerary is within Banff town itself
- Your kids are under 12 and can ride Roam Public Transit for free
If that’s you, make sure to choose a hotel that offers free local transit passes. Several Banff hotels include these passes when you book directly, saving you money and making it easier to get around as a family.
👉 See the full list of hotels that include a free Roam transit pass on the Banff Transit website
Best Car Types for Banff with Kids
We always recommend renting an SUV or a minivan when visiting Banff with your family. The extra space makes a big difference with kids, especially when you’re navigating gravel trailhead parking lots, or packing up for an all-day adventure.
Having a higher-clearance vehicle made it much easier to reach trailheads, navigate snowy roads, drive scenic routes like the Icefields Parkway, and bring along everything from sleds to picnic gear. Many families also love that SUVs give them a clean space to do a quick diaper change or prep snacks on the go.
What to Know About Car Seats in Banff
All children under age 6 or 40 lbs are required by law to be in a child safety seat in Alberta. You can usually rent a car seat through your rental car company, or gate-check your own when you fly.
👉 Check the current Alberta car seat laws here
Why We Recommend Expedia for Car Rentals
We booked both our Banff rental cars through Expedia, and it was a seamless experience both times. We followed signs to the rental center in Calgary Airport, and our cars were ready and waiting, complete with all-weather tires, which were essential when we visited in spring.
They had our info in the system, made check-in fast, and offered a great deal compared to other booking sites.
👉 Search family-friendly rental cars for your Banff trip on Expedia (affiliate)
What to Know Before You Drive in Banff
Driving in Banff is very doable, and having a car gives you the freedom to explore more of the park on your own time. Here’s what to know before you hit the road:
You’ll Need a National Park Pass
All vehicles in Banff National Park must have a valid park pass. You can:
- Buy a day pass on the Banff Lake Louise website
- Or get a Discovery Pass (annual) on the Parks Canada website
Tip: There’s a cost calculator on the Banff Lake Louise site to help you choose the best option based on your trip length.
A printed confirmation must be displayed on your dashboard at all times. A day pass only covers Banff, while the Discovery Pass includes all Parks Canada parks, historic sites, and marine areas – something to consider if you’re visiting other parks.
2025 Travel Tip: Entry is free for summer 2025, but passes are still required for visits after September 2, 2025.
Fuel Up Before You Go
Gas stations are limited outside of town. Make sure to fill up before heading to trailheads and scenic areas. The Icefields Parkway only has one gas station at Saskatchewan River Crossing which is about 50 miles from Lake Louise.
Parking Tips for Popular Spots
Parking can be tough at peak spots like Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon.
- Lake Louise: Parking often fills by 9am and includes a fee from May to October
- Johnston Canyon: Arrive early to snag a spot
- Moraine Lake: No private vehicles allowed year-round
To visit Moraine Lake, you’ll need to book with a tour group or purchase a Parks Canada shuttle pass. The Parks Canada pass includes free parking at the Lake Louise Park and Ride, shuttles to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, and a return shuttle back to the parking lot. We booked with Parks Canada, and it was a smooth experience. You’ll need to keep your paper ticket for the whole day in order to get back on the shuttle (ask us how we know).
Navigation, Cell Signal & Driving Conditions
- Driving in Banff is easy: wide highways, clear signs, and well-lit roads even at night
- Speed limits are strictly enforced: drive the posted limit
- Download your Google Maps offline: cell signal in the park is patchy or nonexistent
Quick Cost Comparison: Rental Car vs. Public Transit
Here’s a rough breakdown based on our trips:
- Rental car: about $75–$110/day (SUV or minivan from Calgary)
- Daily shuttle or transit passes for a family of 4: about $60–$80/day
- Tours to Moraine Lake, Icefields Parkway, etc.: $250+ for a family
When you factor in flexibility, saved time, and access to more remote areas, renting a car is often the better deal for families.
Final Thoughts: Should You Rent a Car in Banff?
If you’re visiting Banff with kids, having a rental car is more than a convenience. It’s the secret to a smoother, more flexible trip. From early-morning hikes to late-night sunsets, spontaneous detours to sledding hills, your own car gives you the freedom to travel at your family’s pace.
We’ve done Banff with and without kids, and after two family trips, we’d absolutely rent a car again.
Want help planning your route, stops, hikes, and packing list?
👉 Grab our FREE Banff Summer Travel Guide here — it’s packed with:
- A full 7-day family-friendly itinerary
- Best hikes, viewpoints, and scenic drives
- What to pack (and what we forgot!)
- Bonus tips to make your Banff trip smooth and less stressful
Download your free guide now (No spam — just helpful travel info!)
Happy Travels! 💛
Michelle
