Binayak

At the end of an Alaskan Cruise we have four nights to spend in the Canadian Rockies.We get off the ship at Vancouver in. mid September.We fly back home from Seattle.Can you suggest How best to utilise the short time.Would it be too hectic if I try to stay both in Jasper and Banff.I was planning to fly back to Seattle from Calgary.
I have a choice to take a flight to Edmonton and drive down to Jasper -Banff -Calgary or fly to Calgary and drive up to Banff ,Lake Louise ,Columbia Icefield and back to Banff and then to Calgary.
Your comments please.

laverendrye

It's doable either way. If you want to see Jasper and the entire Icefields Parkway, fly to Edmonton and spend the first two nights in Jasper. Then drive to Banff, stopping at Columbia Icefields, and stay there two nights. Pick a late flight from Calgary and drive directly to the airport from Banff. It should take about 90 minutes depending on traffic.

If you opt to spend the four nights in Banff, there is more than enough to see and do, including a day trip to the Columbia Icefields. You will have more time in the mountains this way as you will not have the 3 hours or so from Edmonton to Jasper.

For a first visit, I'd probably opt for four nights in Banff.

taggie

I'd do the in-and-out of Calgary option. The drive from Edmonton to Jasper is longer and not as interesting IMO as the drive from Calgary to Banff.

Binayak

Thanks,We will spend four nights in Banff and fly back from
Calgary.

jranger

I agree with the other posters that staying in Banff will more than fill your four days. The Calgary-Banff highway is much quicker than the Edmonton-Jasper highway.