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Discover Banff & It's Wildlife (Calgary Departure)

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Starts atCA$ 120US$ 91€ 79£ 68A$ 128
Duration: 13 Hours
Age: All Ages
Departure: 6:00am
Season: Jun-Oct

Guaranteed departure. This tour runs as scheduled with no minimum group size — book with confidence, it won’t be cancelled for low numbers.

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Overview

Enjoy a round-trip transfer between Calgary and Banff combined with a guided sightseeing tour of Banff's most iconic landmarks. Travel comfortably from Calgary, then discover highlights such as Bow Falls, the Fairmont Banff Springs, and Lake Minnewanka, while your guide shares stories of the region's history, wildlife, and natural wonders.

Following the tour, enjoy free time in Banff to explore at your own pace. Stroll Banff Avenue, relax over lunch, or take in the alpine scenery before your return transfer back to Calgary. With the chance to spot local wildlife and a warm drink included, this year-round experience offers a seamless blend of transportation, guided discovery, and independent exploration.

Please note that tours starting from Calgary and Canmore consist of a guided tour plus a shared group shuttle to Banff. The shuttle picks up guests for all of our tours once each morning — around 6:00am from Calgary and 7:10am from Canmore — and you will change vehicles in Banff to meet your guide for the day. The return shared group shuttle departs Banff at around 6:30pm.

Highlights

The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:

Comfortable return transfer from Calgary
Comfortable return transfer from Calgary
Bow Falls
Bow Falls
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Surprise Corner Lookout
Surprise Corner Lookout
Hoodoos Viewpoint
Hoodoos Viewpoint
Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka
Realtime pick-up tracking
Realtime pick-up tracking

Tour Details

Tour Duration
13 Hours
Departure Time
6:00am
Age Required
All Ages
Season
Jun-Oct
Free Time in Banff
7.5 Hours

Included

  • Water or Hot Chocolate
  • Hotel pick up and drop off in Calgary
  • Hands on interpretive tools
  • Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
  • Maple cookie snack
  • Professional certified guide

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the tour?+
The total trip time including shuttles is about 13 hours.
Will I have free time in Banff before returning to Calgary?+
Guests booked on the return-to-Calgary option will have free time in Banff before returning to Calgary. This free time can be used to explore downtown Banff, enjoy a meal, browse local shops, or simply relax and take in the mountain scenery before your return shared group shuttle at 6:30pm.
Is there one-way transportation from Calgary to Banff available?+
Guests departing from Calgary to Banff on the one way option will travel to Banff on a shared group shuttle. Upon arrival, you will change vehicles and meet your guide for the day. At the end of the tour, guests will be dropped off at their selected Banff hotel.
How does the Calgary return option work?+
Guests departing from Calgary will travel to Banff on a shared group shuttle. Upon arrival, you will change vehicles and meet your guide for the day. Some excursions include free time to explore Banff afterward. At 6:30 p.m., you will join the shared group shuttle back to Calgary.
Where is our pick up and drop off from?+
We pick up from selected hotels in Calgary. You can choose from the following options: Fairmont Palliser, Ford Tower, Harry Hayes Building - Loading Zone, The Westin Calgary Downtown, Acclaim Hotel by Clique Calgary Airport
How can I join this tour if I'm not staying in Banff?+
Starting 1 June 2026, we are offering this tour with the option of being picked up in Calgary or Canmore. You can choose your pickup option directly at checkout. This transfer add-on is $25 for a return transfer from Calgary and $5 for a return transfer from Canmore. This is the most affordable option on the market, as it is cheaper than a regular public Roam bus service (this transfer cannot be purchased on its own, only as an add on to the public tour). You can also drive yourself to Banff; however, please note that you will need to find parking in Banff for a period longer than the duration of the tour, and parking lots may be full during the summer months. Please refer to the Town of Banff website for general parking information, or the BanffParking.ca website for live parking availability.
What does the tour include?+
The half-day tour includes a guided bus tour to see some of the local highlights such as the iconic Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls and Lake Minnewanka. The tour includes several stops, including a brief break with a maple cookie snack and hot chocolate or fresh water (depending on the time of year), and hands on interpretive tools.

Booking Terms

  • All children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
  • Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
  • By participating in a tour with Discover Banff Tours, guests are acknowledging that they understand that we may take video and photographs of them during their tour. These videos and photographs may be used in promotional materials including, but not limited to, social media.
  • Please note that this tour requires a minimum of 4 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.

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Discover Banff & It's Wildlife (Calgary Departure)
From CA$ 120US$ 91€ 79£ 68A$ 128