Calgary - Banff
 

My parents will be in Calgary for a couple of days and I have urged them to spend at least one of them in Banff. They're not renting a car - what would be the best (& affordable) ways of getting there? Guess on cost? Aside from walking around the shops in town there, any recommendations on what to do/see up there? Suggestions on where to eat? Is there a quick/easy way to get to lake louise?

Thanks all!! Loads of great info on this message board!

Brewster offers a number of day trips to Banff and other places in the NP. See http://www.brewster.ca/Day_Trips/

Just checked out Brewsters website. This is the advertised day trip to Banff from Calgary: http://www.brewster.ca/Day_Trips/sig...ponent_id=1152

I thought it was bit pricey, esp considering they don't pick you up at your hotel! I'll have to contact them about what's actually included in this tour (aside from the listed spots) and if there's time for lunch and whether National Park user fees must be paid in addition to the tour cost. This tour may not be worth it.

Any other recommendations? Anyone travelled with any of the companies on this page: http://www.discovercalgary.com/Trans.../Motorcoaches/

Is the Banff Springs Hotel within walking distance of the town? Might be a nice place for lunch?? Any other recommendations?

I thought that if my parents could at least get to the town, they'd obviously see the mountains "close up" and some nice little shops. Is there a waterfront or another nice area for walking/sitting nearby? Somewhere they could see some wildlife perhaps?

Thanks!

Brewsters is rediculously over priced, and takes forever. Its not glamourous, but they can take the greyhound for cheap. (Aprox $40 return) And the trip is only 1.5hrs Calgary to Banff. If they book in advance greyhound even has a deal where one person rides free. See www.greyhound.ca

Sorry, I forgot to answer the other questions. Once they get to Banff, the bus station is right in town. They would EASILY be able to spend the day wandering around town. They could shop, go to the museums (Cave and Basin, Whyte Museum, Banff Park Museum), or wander on trails along the river and around town. Without a vehicle, Lake Louise is a bit inconvienient, but the greyhound does go there too.

They can grab a taxi from downtown Banff about 2 miles to take the Gondola up Sulphur mountain, too...

Great trip, great view.

I do not remember the name of the beautiful gardens in downtown Banff, but I enjoyed walking around them. Also the Banff Springs Hotel is definitely worth a visit. Plenty of outdoor seating, beautiful scenery, great places to sit and have a beverage or visit all the wonderful stores in the hotel. Wonderful restaurants too. Seeing Bow Falls right on the property.

The garden in Banff would be the Cascade Garden in the administration building just over the Bow River Bridge.