Travelling to Banff & Jasper in Sep 6, 2010
Jul 27th, 2010, 08:32 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Travelling to Banff & Jasper in Sep 6, 2010
Hi I'm new to Fodors, recently planning for a trip to Banff and Jasper with my parents for a week in Sep. This trip is solely for sightseeing, photo shooting and food. We will arrive Calgary airport early on Sep 6 and take a late flight back to Toronto on Sep 12. Any suggestion on the route and where should we stay and dine during our trip? Also would like suggestion on which company to rent a car to travel around the area. Thanks!!
Jul 28th, 2010, 09:00 PM
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you have a look at a map site such as www.maps.google.com , you will see that there are not many choices for routes... there is basically only one way to get from Banff to Jasper. Sure, occasionally you can make a short detour on one of the older highways (which run parallel to the newer, main highway), but it's basically highway 1 from Calgary to Banff to Lake Louise, then highway 93, the Icefields Parkway, to Jasper. www.icefieldsparkway.ca
There is not one "best" company to rent a car, sometimes one is cheaper than another at certain times, then not at others, or you may have a promo code that includes unlimited miles or another driver for free. I usually start off looking for rental cars by using a search engine like expedia or kayak etc. Or you can go to the Calgary Airport Authority website to find a list of agencies on site there (if you are renting from the airport), then check them individually.
Early September is still peak season so demand is strong.
Where to stay and dine? Some info re your budget or preferences would be helpful.
For lists of things to do & see, check out Parks Canada's websites: www.pc.gc.ca - then choose Banff or Jasper National Park. The local tourism board websites are also a wealth of info: www.banfflakelouise.com and www.jaspercanadianrockies.com
There is not one "best" company to rent a car, sometimes one is cheaper than another at certain times, then not at others, or you may have a promo code that includes unlimited miles or another driver for free. I usually start off looking for rental cars by using a search engine like expedia or kayak etc. Or you can go to the Calgary Airport Authority website to find a list of agencies on site there (if you are renting from the airport), then check them individually.
Early September is still peak season so demand is strong.
Where to stay and dine? Some info re your budget or preferences would be helpful.
For lists of things to do & see, check out Parks Canada's websites: www.pc.gc.ca - then choose Banff or Jasper National Park. The local tourism board websites are also a wealth of info: www.banfflakelouise.com and www.jaspercanadianrockies.com
Aug 2nd, 2010, 11:29 AM
#4
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Arrive the 6th Drive to Banff/Lake Louise--stay 3 nts
Drive to Jasper on the Icefields Parkway stay 2 nts in Jasper
Drive back the Parkway to Banff-stay one nt and then fly home the next day.
You will have many photo ops--the area is beautiful.
We used Hotwire for our car rental.
Check hotel and car rental rates on www.kayak.com for a quick check. We changed our refundable reservation at the last minute in Banff when a last minute special came up on Kayak.
Drive to Jasper on the Icefields Parkway stay 2 nts in Jasper
Drive back the Parkway to Banff-stay one nt and then fly home the next day.
You will have many photo ops--the area is beautiful.
We used Hotwire for our car rental.
Check hotel and car rental rates on www.kayak.com for a quick check. We changed our refundable reservation at the last minute in Banff when a last minute special came up on Kayak.
Aug 2nd, 2010, 03:15 PM
#5
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For photos, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are best in the early morning, Vermillion Lakes (Banff town) are better in the evening, Peyto Lake & Bow Lake will be best in midday, before noon might be ideal.
In general, look at a map of Icefield's Parkway - anything "west" of the highway will be better for photos in the morning, and anything "east" of the highway will be better in the afternoon or evening.
"West" is really southwest, and "east" is really northeast - the Rockies run at an angle NW to SE.
In general, look at a map of Icefield's Parkway - anything "west" of the highway will be better for photos in the morning, and anything "east" of the highway will be better in the afternoon or evening.
"West" is really southwest, and "east" is really northeast - the Rockies run at an angle NW to SE.
