Canada · TOURS IN BANFF

The 15 Best Banff Tours & Day Trips

57 tours  ·  from $39 a head

Banff is small and everything worth seeing is a drive from it. The 15 below sort the gondola, Lake Louise and Moraine, Johnston Canyon and the Icefields Parkway by price, pickup point and how early the coach leaves.

Banff: Banff Gondola Admission Ticket - What you find at the summit
Gondolas & Mountain Lifts, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff

Banff: Banff Gondola Admission Ticket

1.Banff Gondola Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,698 reviews · 1 day · from $53Our pick

Take an 8-minute gondola ride from Banff to Sulphur Mountain, then explore the Above Banff Interpretive Center, rooftop deck, and boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak. You can eat at three summit venues, including Sky Bistro and Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen. Plan for about 1 hour 20 minutes unless you extend your return time.

“I could not hold it together to experience this! I will come back from Florida just to see this again. Much much needed to do is watch the sunset. I can’t express it enough. Must watch the sunset”

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Banff Gondola Ride Admission - The eight-minute ride to Sulphur Mountain
Gondolas & Mountain Lifts, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff

Banff Gondola Ride Admission

2.Banff Gondola Ride Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,688 reviews · 1 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $55

Take a smooth eight-minute ride in a four-person Banff Gondola cabin to Sulphur Mountain. At the summit, walk the boardwalk to Sanson’s Peak and the Cosmic Ray Station, visit the interpretive center, or eat with a view. Allow two to three hours, dress warmly, and book ahead.

“The most gorgeous views imaginable. Memory making. Sky Bistro was also amazing for view, service and food. !!!”

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Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk - What the Columbia Icefield means
Icefields Parkway & Columbia Icefield, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff

Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk

3.Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,860 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

Ride a huge Ice Explorer from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre to Athabasca Glacier, where you can walk on the ice and taste fresh snowmelt. Then cross the glass-bottom Glacier Skywalk. Guides such as Andy, Leanne, Lars, and Jackson have made this outing lively and informative, but arrive early for printed tickets and strict boarding times.

“Great experience, guide on icefield was very knowledgeable Just enough time at both icefields and skywalk”

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Lakes Moraine, Louise, Emerald, Johnston Canyon & Yoho Tour - Lake Louise gives you the classic first look
Johnston Canyon & Canyon Walks, Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tours, Lake Louise Tours in Banff, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff, Yoho & Emerald Lake Tours

Lakes Moraine, Louise, Emerald, Johnston Canyon & Yoho Tour

4.Lakes Moraine, Louise, Emerald, Johnston Canyon & Yoho Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,023 reviews · from $61

This full-day Banff and Yoho tour links six major sights, from the blue waters of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake to Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge and Johnston Canyon. Your English-speaking guide, such as Ben, Mike or Sammy, handles the driving, timing and local stories. Expect a long day, shared transport and a seasonal Moraine Lake substitute in winter.

“We enjoyed Sam's commentary's and the way he shared some very historic facts about the area. It was so good! We loved it and we highly recommend this tour. Garry & Lynette from NZ.”

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Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway Full-Day Tour - Lake Minnewanka and the Banff introduction
Full-Day, Icefields Parkway & Columbia Icefield, Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tours, Lake Louise Tours in Banff, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff

Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway Full-Day Tour

5.Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 836 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $165Top rated

Travel from Banff or Canmore in a vehicle limited to 22 people, stopping at Lake Minnewanka, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, and Peyto Lake. Guides such as Rob and Robbie add local history and practical help while you avoid the hardest parking problems. Food, drinks, park admission, and Ice Explorer rides are not included.

“Excellent tour of the major lakes, Rob was awesome and super informative. Highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting a smaller comfy tour of all the beautiful scenery.”

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Banff: Lake Louise, Moraine, Emerald Lake & Johnston Canyon - Castle Mountain gives you an early Rocky Mountain welcome
Johnston Canyon & Canyon Walks, Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tours, Lake Louise Tours in Banff, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff, Yoho & Emerald Lake Tours

Banff: Lake Louise, Moraine, Emerald Lake & Johnston Canyon

6.Lake Louise, Moraine, Emerald Lake & Johnston Canyon

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 808 reviews · 11 hours · from $50Best value

See Banff National Park’s best-known lakes and waterfalls in one long day from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff. Your English-speaking guide handles the driving, park pass, timing, and photo stops. Guides such as Guri, Hari, Mandeep, and Bally are praised for safe driving, local facts, and taking excellent group photos. Moraine Lake is seasonal.

“The tour was great! The provided us the transportation to different places around Banff :) the tour guide was nice!”

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Banff: Lake Minnewanka Cruise - The first view from the boat
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff

Banff: Lake Minnewanka Cruise

7.Lake Minnewanka Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 791 reviews · 1 hour · from $57

Spend one hour on Lake Minnewanka with an English-speaking guide and captain. You will hear about Indigenous culture, wildlife, local legends, and Minnewanka Landing, the former town now underwater. Guides such as Kirsty, Jacob, John, and Jenna have drawn praise for lively storytelling, while the quiet stop with the motor off gives you a rare taste of backcountry silence.

“It was their first snow of the year a night before our tour and its their last day of tour. We are blessed to witness a mix of fall and snowy mountain. The tour guide said its very seldom to have both view. It was very nice view and it was very peaceful when we had to stop and be quite for a while all you can hear is the sound of the water.”

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Hop-On and Hop-Off Banff Bus - Johnston Canyon and the Bow Valley Parkway
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff

Hop-On and Hop-Off Banff Bus

8.Hop-On and Hop-Off Banff Bus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 781 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $94

Spend about eight hours moving between Banff, Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Lake Louise gondola. Your English-speaking host, sometimes Tyler, Dominique, or Louis, helps match stops and hikes to your day. Expect fixed departure times, scenic roads, and a real school bus rather than a cushioned coach.

“Lots of hiking. bring a lunch as it is very expensive to purchase and choices are not a good variety.”

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Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Adventure - Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake bring the wildlife focus
City Tours, City Tours in Banff, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff, Wildlife & Bear Tours, Wildlife Tours in Banff

Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Adventure

9.Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 725 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $94

Explore Banff by modern minibus with a maximum of 12 people, stopping at Mount Norquay, Lake Minnewanka, the Hoodoos, Surprise Corner, and Bow Falls. Your guide adjusts the route for recent wildlife reports and conditions. You may see elk, bighorn sheep, foxes, coyotes, or bears, but no animal sighting is guaranteed.

“Liam was a great guide! He provided LOTS of history and fun facts. We saw some bighorns on the tour. Even checked out a few lakes as a bonus”

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Banff National Park Tour with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake - The ride through the Bow Valley Parkway
Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tours, Lake Louise Tours in Banff, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff

Banff National Park Tour with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

10.Banff National Park Tour with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 692 reviews · 4 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $119

This 4-hour-15-minute small-group tour from Banff visits Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, with guides such as Jade, Jake, Heidi, and Alex sharing local stories and photo tips. You get round-trip transport, 30 minutes at each lake, water, and a maple cookie. Afternoon departures can mean lighter crowds, but Moraine Lake access is seasonal.

“Edie was great. Very informative. Saw wildlife. I don't want to respond to your minimum number of characters.”

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Day Trip: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake, Banff - Marble Canyon opens the day with a short walk
1-Day Tours, Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tours, Lake Louise Tours in Banff, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff, Yoho & Emerald Lake Tours

Day Trip: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake, Banff

11.Day Trip: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake, Banff

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 680 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $89

See four Canadian Rockies highlights in one long day from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff. You’ll visit Lake Louise, Moraine Lake in season, Emerald Lake, Marble Canyon, Natural Bridge, and Banff Avenue with an English-speaking guide such as Ahmed or Layse. Transport, park access, and Moraine Lake permission are included, while lunch is on your own.

“My boyfriend and I were staying in Banff for his birthday for less than 48 hours so we wanted to make sure we spent a full day of sightseeing. We booked this tour through Viator and honestly, this tour made our trip. We were picked up by our tour guide, Ahmed, who was punctual to say the least. He was extremely knowledgeable and had a wicked sense of humor. We were laughing the entire tour; he made us all feel like one big family and we wouldn’t have had such an amazing time if it weren’t for him. He was attentive and his priority was to ensure we were all…”

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From Banff: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Sightseeing Tour - Pickup from Banff hotels and the right departure time
City Tours, City Tours in Banff, Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tours, Lake Louise Tours in Banff, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff

From Banff: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Sightseeing Tour

12.Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 659 reviews · 4 hours · from $88

Take a four-hour, English-guided trip from Banff to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, with pickup at major hotels. Guides such as Ella, Neil, Emma, and Alex add local stories, wildlife tips, and mountain history. Moraine Lake is seasonal, and some early or late summer departures visit Lake Louise for an extra hour instead.

“Neal our guide was very informative and had a great sense of humour. Very helpful offering to take photos and answering questions The lake and mountains were amazing”

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Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk from Banff - The Icefields Parkway earns its reputation
Icefields Parkway & Columbia Icefield, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff

Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk from Banff

13.Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk from Banff

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 649 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $302

Ride from Banff along the Icefields Parkway with a guide, stopping at Lake Louise, Crowfoot Glacier, and Peyto Lake. At the Columbia Icefield, take the Ice Explorer onto ancient glacial ice and visit the Glacier Skywalk. The small group, buffet lunch, and hotel pickup make this a full but convenient 11-hour day.

“Nolan and Nathan were excellent guides!! They were both extremely knowledgeable and both were great story tellers and quite funny as well. This is a must trip!”

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Banff National Park: 1-Hour Bow River Horseback Ride - The horses are a big part of the appeal
1-Hour Experiences, Horse Riding & Sleigh Rides, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff

Banff National Park: 1-Hour Bow River Horseback Ride

14.Banff National Park: 1-Hour Bow River Horseback Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 518 reviews · 1 hour · from $78

Meet your horse at Banff Trail Riders’ red stables, learn basic riding skills, then follow the Bow River past Cave and Basin Hot Springs. Guides such as Sarah, Jade, Steph, and Mandi share local stories while calm horses carry you through marsh, meadow, and mountain scenery. Bring long pants, sturdy closed-toed shoes, and insect repellent.

“Great fun, horses were extremely well kept and guides were super friendly. Me and my girlfriend would definitely do again!”

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Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Banff Secrets | Award-Winning Tour - Starting in Banff and settling into the van
Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tours, Lake Louise Tours in Banff, Tour Reviews, Tours in Banff

Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Banff Secrets | Award-Winning Tour

15.Moraine Lake, Lake Louise & Banff Secrets | Award-Winning Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 517 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $142

Travel from Banff in a modern van with up to 12 people, spending about two hours each at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Guides such as Nolan, Amelia, Gini, and Liam tailor the route to weather, wildlife, and group interests, adding scenic stops when time allows. Bring water, lunch, layers, and good walking shoes.

“Friendly, fun, knowledgeable guide! Gini was a superb guide and driver. She was very knowledgeable about the natural history of the park.”

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