A Local’s Guide to Budget Travel Banff
In this Banff budget guide I’ll outline all the ways you can explore Banff for cheap(er). This Banff budget guide will outline ways to save money in Banff via more affordable hotels, cheap/free activities in Banff, cheaper restaurants, and ways to explore Banff National Park without a car.
Banff is one of the more expensive destinations in Canada and even if you opt to travel Banff on a budget, you’ll still spend a pretty penny. There are however a few ways to save money in Banff, but advance planning and thought is required.
I’m a budget travel queen myself and I’ve lived in Banff for years. Everything recommended in this Banff budget guide is what I’d personally do to save money in Banff as a local.
Skip ahead:
- Overview: How to Travel Banff on a Budget
- Cheap Ways to get to Banff
- When is the Cheapest Time to Visit Banff?
- Affordable Hotels & Budget Accommodations in Banff
- Affordable Restaurants in Banff
- How to Travel Banff Without a Car
- Cheap Activities in Banff
- Free Activities in Banff
- How to Road Trip Banff on a Budget
- How to Travel Banff on a Budget FAQ
- Banff 3 Day Budget Itinerary
- Quick Banff Guide
As you read this post, please consider clicking the links throughout. These are affiliate links which means when you book a hotel or purchase a product, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you (full disclosure). These commissions fund The Holistic Backpacker and help me write more blog posts.
Thank you for supporting my work!
Banff Google Map: 600+ Pins
Don’t feel like scrolling through blog posts trying to find things to do in Banff?
Get my 600+ Banff recommendations saved to your Google Maps app
Outdoors: hiking trails, campgrounds, ski resorts, waterfalls & lakes
Planning: lodging, restaurants, public washrooms & transit hubs
Things to do: tours, viewpoints & unique activities
I lived in Banff for years and know all the best spots!
Overview: Banff on a Budget Guide
If you don’t have time to read this entire post, here’s an overview of everything you need to know to visit Banff on a budget and how to save money in Banff.
Cheap ways to get to Banff: Poparide is a carpool program (use my link to save $5). On-It runs in the summer months.
Budget stays in Banff: HI Samesun Banff (hostel), Bow View Lodge (budget hotel), or camping.
Cheapest months to visit Banff: April and May in the spring months. Mid October and November for the autumn months.
Affordable restaurants in Banff: BARburrito and Hankki are the local favourites for quick, cheap takeout options. Taxi Mike is kept up-to-date by a local with all Banff’s current meal deals.
How to travel Banff without a car: use Roam Transit, Banff’s local bus system. In this post I’ve written all about the places you can visit by bus in Banff and 50+ Banff hikes that don’t require a car to access.
Cheap activities in Banff: museums, biking, Upper Hot Springs, canoeing, Banff Sightseeing & Wildlife Tour, Hop On Hop Off Bus, Sunshine Village Gondola, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, and Horseback Riding.
Free activities in Banff: hiking, wildlife spotting, picnicking, and photography.
More Banff budget travel tips: travel in groups of 4 to save money in Banff.
Banff 3 day budget itinerary: you can explore my 3 day itinerary below.
Connect via socials:
Sign up for emails to receive a 25% discount on my travel maps.
Taylor ♡
Cheap Ways to get to Banff
If you’re looking for cheap ways to get to Banff, the summer season has more options than fall and winter. The Banff Airporter and Brewster Express run year round, but they are overpriced options.
The cheaper options to get to Banff are the following:
Affordable airport shuttles to Banff: On-It is the cheapest shuttle to Banff from Calgary, but it only runs in the summer months. You have to book this shuttle far in advance as it fills up entirely.
Poparide: this is a carpool program I’ve personally used many times to get to between Calgary-Banff. The timing is more flexible and the prices are much cheaper than the Airporter and Brewster. You can use my link to save $5 on your first ride.
When is the Cheapest Time to Visit Banff?
Although peak summer is great for hiking and peak winter is great for skiing, these are not the cheapest months to visit Banff. Instead, you’ll want to plan around Banff’s shoulder seasons which offer slightly better deals on hotels, activities, and happy hours.
I’ve put together this month-by-month Banff guide to give you an idea of what each season in Banff is like
Whether you’re looking for Banff fall travel deals, to visit Banff in winter on a budget, or take advantage of the cheap summer activities in Banff, I’ll lay everything out here.
Spring in Banff is one of the cheaper times to visit. Ski season is wrapping up and summer activities haven’t started which means tourism is at a low point. Mid April to the end of May is one of the cheapest times to visit Banff to take advantage of cheaper lodging options and activities.
Summer in Banff is the most expensive time to visit for activities, hotels, and restaurants, but temperatures are warmer which means you can camp. Camping is the cheapest way to visit Banff.
Autumn in Banff from mid October to November (after the Larch trees have turned golden and lost their needles) is the absolute cheapest time of year to visit Banff. This is when hotels and hostels will see their lowest rates of the year, almost all restaurants have meal deals and specials, plus activities will be reduced.
Keep in mind that although shoulder season prices are appealing for budget travel in Banff, there are downsides to these timeframes. Weather will be colder and more unpredictable, there’s often grey skies and precipitation, plus many of the shuttle services will not be in service meaning you’ll need a car to get around.
Affordable Hotels & Budget Accommodations in Banff
If you’re looking for affordable hotels or any kind of budget accommodation in Banff, I’m unfortunately about to be the bearer of bad news. Lodging in Banff is one of the most expensive factors and hotels in peak summer have an average 1 night stay rate of $300-$500 per night. Yes, you read that right.
It’s cheaper to stay in nearby areas like Canmore or Kananaskis.
The best way to save money in Banff is visiting in groups of 4. This is the magic number for travel when it comes to lodging as many hotel rooms are geared toward this number. This means you can split the hotel cost between 4 people.
ps – book your lodging in Banff far in advance. Hotels fill up entirely during the summer months
Budget Hotels in Banff
These budget hotels in Banff will still be quite pricey in comparison to many other travel destinations, however they offer some of the cheaper rates in Banff.
- The Dorothy Motel – quiet with a nice garden.
- YWCA Banff Hotel – local enterprise supporting social services. This hotel does not worry about finishings like in-room TVs or mini fridges, but it’s located next to the river and it’s the cheapest hotel in Banff.
- Bow View Lodge – is also next to the river and is only a few steps way from downtown Banff.
I’ve put this post together which outlines lodging options in Banff, organized by category (cheap options, cabin stays, hostels, hotels with spas, etc)
Affordable Hostels in Banff for Backpackers
Banff has a handful of hostels for backpackers, however they will likely be the most expensive hostel you’ve seen. Depending on your travel style, splitting a hotel room with others or camping may be a better option.
- HI Samesun Banff Hostel – my favourite hostel in Banff. It offers a central location, an on-site bar & restaurant, and hosts trivia nights.
- HI Banff Alpine Centre – rustic cabin-feel, on-site bar & restaurant, located within walking distance, but it’s faster to take the local bus.
- Banff International Hostel – has a great, central location.
Cheap Airbnbs in Banff
Airbnbs are illegal in Banff, so unfortunately you won’t find any within the town. There are bed and breakfasts in Banff, but they can be as expensive as hotels. I’ll list a few here regardless so you can check them out.
- A Good Nite’s Rest & Breakfast – quiet location and included continental breakfast.
- Mountain View Bed & Breakfast – this is the cheaper B&B in Banff, but it books out well in advance.
Banff Google Map: 600+ Pins
Don’t feel like scrolling through blog posts trying to find things to do in Banff?
Get my 600+ Banff recommendations saved to your Google Maps app
Outdoors: hiking trails, campgrounds, ski resorts, waterfalls & lakes
Planning: lodging, restaurants, public washrooms & transit hubs
Things to do: tours, viewpoints & unique activities
I lived in Banff for years and know all the best spots!
Camping in Banff
Camping offers Banff’s cheapest accommodation option – typically ranging from $30-$45 per night, but this number fluctuates year-to-year. There are many campgrounds in the town of Banff as well as some outside the town that are accessible via bus. You can have up to 6 people per campsite which means you can split fees between the total amount of people visiting.
A few things to note about camping in Banff:
- You must make camping reservations in advance on this website. Reservation day (when bookings goes live) opens sometime in January and it’s recommended you make reservations then. Sites can fill up entirely for summer the same day bookings go live
- If you get to Banff and all the campgrounds are full, you can try your luck with some of the first-come, first-serve options along the Icefields Parkway OR sign up for cancellations notifications
- If you’re in an RV there are year round campsites in Banff that can be booked
- If you’re camping in a tent, Banff’s camping season runs from May to early October (the exact date fluctuates year-to-year)
- If you don’t have camping gear, you can rent a camping setup from Bactrax. This is a great option for budget backpackers in Banff
Affordable Restaurants in Banff
Making smart choices when it comes to food is one of the easiest ways to save money in Banff and it greatly contributes to the Banff budget travel approach. Restaurants are generally expensive in Banff, costing around $30+ per meal after you include a tip.
Cook at home: this is a no brainer. Cooking your own food is always cheaper than eating out.
Cheap grocery stores in Banff: IGA is the cheapest grocery store in Banff, but Nesters often has good sales on produce. Save ON in Canmore has a larger selection.
Best cheap eats in Banff: would fall on takeout restaurants. BARBurrito, Dominos, Subway, McDonalds, Banff Shawarma, and Hankki all have cheaper, grab-n-go options.
Affordable vegan food in Banff: Nourish has the best options, but it’s unfortunately not “cheap.” Maclab Bistro has some options, but it’s a bit of a walk from downtown.
Cheap coffee shops in Banff: I always go to Good Earth as I find their prices make them one of the cheapest coffee shops in Banff while still maintaining quality.
Affordable restaurants in Banff: Zyka and Masala (Indian), Earl’s, The Balkan (Greek), Sushi House Banff, and Ramen Aarshi. These restaurants all serve high quality food at a consistently lower price.
Taxi Mike is run by a local who lists all Banff’s meal deals and specials. This is a great way to find cheap eats in Banff.
How to Travel Banff Without a Car
Although I do recommend renting a car when you’re in Banff, you can easily travel without a car which is a great way to save money in Banff.
If you do opt to rent a car in Banff, I recommend using this site to find the best local rates
If you’re looking to budget travel Banff, I recommend using public transportation in Banff. During the summer months Roam Transit has bus routes going to Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, Lake Minnewanka, Canmore, and many other places.
I won’t go into too much detail about public transportation here because I’ve written an entire guide outlining how to use the bus in Banff and 50+ hikes you can access in Banff without a car.
Here’s my guide for
Cheap Activities in Banff
If you’re travelling Banff on a budget, there are many cheap Banff activities you can add to your itinerary. Below are a few of my favourites.
Budget Friendly Things to do in Banff
Here are some budget friendly things to do in Banff you can add to your itinerary.
- Visit the local museums: Cave & Basin (free to enter with a Parks Pass), the Whyte Museum, Buffalo Nation’s Museum, and the Whyte Museum all have cheap entry fees.
- Banff Hot Springs: Natural hot springs open year round with a cheaper entry fee.
- Explore Banff by bus: purchase a Roam Day Pass from the visitor centre. This gives you unlimited access to Banff’s local transit for the day. Visit popular places by bus like Lake Louise, Lake Minnewanka, Canmore, Johnston Canyon, etc.
- Have a bonfire: at Cascade ponds or the Rec Grounds. Purchase wood locally from the gas stations in town – using wood from outside the park is banned.
- Go biking: rent a bike from Bactrax or Banff Cycle and explore local trails like the Fairmont Golf Course loop, the Legacy Trail, or highway 1A.
- Go canoeing: you can find cheap rentals at the Banff Canoe Club.
Cheap Guided Tours in Banff
These are some of the cheaper guided tours in Banff and unique activities you can add to your itinerary.
- Banff Sightseeing & Wildlife Tour – see local highlights and try to spot wildlife with a knowledgeable, local guide
- Hop On Hop Off Bus – see Banff at your own pace via a modern-style school bus going to popular places like Lake Minnewanka, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, etc
- Banff Gondola – is priced more affordably in the winter months
- Sunshine Village Gondola – take the gondola to see one of the best displays of wildflowers in Banff
- Lake Minnewanka Cruise – is reasonably priced and takes you on a ride down Lake Minnewanka
- Horseback Riding – go for a 1hr horseback riding tour around the Bow or Spray River
- Visit the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary – not located in Banff, but close by. At the sanctuary you can see and interact with wolf dogs up-close
Keep in mind these cheap Banff activities are relatively cheap in comparison to some of the other activities offered in the area
Cheap Winter Activities in Banff
Ice skating, snow shoeing, and hiking frozen canyons are some of the few cheap activities in Banff in winter. In this guide I’ve written 30+ things to do in Banff in winter to give you some more ideas.
Top Tours & Excursions in Banff
Banff Gondola – epic views from the top of Sulphur Mountain.
Banff Hop on Hop off – explore the park at your own pace.
Lake Minnewanka Cruise – take a scenic boat ride down the largest lake in Banff.
Moraine Lake sunrise – chartered bus to see alpenglow on Canada’s most beautiful lake.
Norquay via ferrata – epic beginner friendly climbing route across iron bars on Mt Norquay.
Sunshine Meadows Gondola – find wild alpine flowers and hike around pristine alpine lakes.
Click here for a complete list of the Banff tours I recommend:
Free Activities in Banff
Making use of these free activities in Banff is the best way to budget travel Banff. These activities won’t cost you anything and are great ways to see the park.
These free Banff activities don’t require any transportation and can be accomplished right from town.
- Banff Townsite: great place to wander shops and get your picture taken on Banff Ave. You can also walk the Bow River trail down to Bow Falls.
- Hiking: locals trails include Tunnel Mountain, Fenlands Trail, and the Spray River Loop. You can also take the $4 roundtrip bus to hike Sulphur Mountain. More of my Banff trail guides can be found here.
- Photography tour: there are many local photography spots like the Bow River and the Hoodoos Lookout. I’ve marked all my favourite Banff photography spots on my Banff map.
- Wildlife watching: the Fairmont Golf Course loop, the Tunnel Mountain trail, and the Bow River trail are all great places to see elk and deer.
- Cascade of Times Garden: free to visit, beautiful garden space overlooking Cascade Mountain.
- Have a picnic: my favourite spot is down by the Bow River. If you have a car, Norquay Patch is my go-to picnic spot in Banff.
- Go for a drive: if you’re visiting with a car I recommend exploring the Icefields Parkway or Highway 40.
How to Road Trip Banff on a Budget
Road tripping is one of the best ways to travel Banff on a budget – as long as you go about it in the “right” way.
The cheapest way to road trip Banff – in comfort – is to rent or use a vehicle you can sleep in. RVs or vans are great for this. If you have your own air mattresses and sleeping bags bring them along. Otherwise you can usually buy them cheap at stores like Walmart or Canadian Tire.
The absolute cheapest way to road trip Banff if you’re visiting from out of town is to rent a small vehicle and camp in a tent. Again, camping equipment can be purchased for relatively cheap at Canadian Tire, but you can also rent a camping setup from Bactrax in the town of Banff.
You cannot free camp in Banff, but there are many front country campgrounds within the Banff town limits and along the Icefields Parkway. Campgrounds in Banff must be booked well in advance, but there are campgrounds along the Icefields Parkway that are first-come, first-serve if you don’t have reservations. My camping tips can be found above.
Make use of the free Banff activities mentioned above and try to cook as much food “at home” as possible, opposed to going out.
In this guide I list all the cheapest car and RV rentals in Canada
Banff Google Map: 600+ Pins
Don’t feel like scrolling through blog posts trying to find things to do in Banff?
Get my 600+ Banff recommendations saved to your Google Maps app
Outdoors: hiking trails, campgrounds, ski resorts, waterfalls & lakes
Planning: lodging, restaurants, public washrooms & transit hubs
Things to do: tours, viewpoints & unique activities
I lived in Banff for years and know all the best spots!
How to Travel Banff on a Budget FAQ
To recap, here are the FAQ regarding budget travel in Banff.
Is there a cheap time of year to visit Banff?
Banff remains an expensive destination to visit year round, but during spring and fall you can typically find more affordable accommodations in Banff, cheaper activities, and more deals at local eateries.
The cheapest way to visit Banff is via camping though. The camping season in Banff typically runs mid May to early October.
Where are the cheapest places to stay in Banff?
The Banff campgrounds are the cheapest places to stay in Banff. Alternatively staying at budget hotels in groups of 4 is also a great way to save money in Banff.
What are the cheapest restaurants in Banff?
The cheapest restaurants in Banff are any of the takeout options. BARburrito and Hankki are the town favourites.
Are there free activities in Banff?
Yes there are free activities in Banff. Hiking, local sightseeing, wildlife spotting, photography, and picnicking are a few of the free activities in Banff.
Cheap ways to get to Banff?
Poparide is a flexible, year round ride share platform that I commonly use to get between Banff-Calgary. In the summer months there’s also On It.
Should I rent a car or use public transportation in Banff?
Renting a car is what I always recommend for trips to Banff as you can explore more places – I recommend using this platform to find the best local rates. Using public transportation in Banff is cheaper though if you’re looking to travel Banff on a budget.
How can I save money in Banff?
You can save money in Banff by staying at campgrounds over hotels, making use of the free/cheap activities in Banff, and by cooking your own meals opposed to eating out.
Banff 3 Day Budget Itinerary
This 3 day Banff budget itinerary is the cheapest way to visit Banff, blending together everything I mentioned above. Remember to book your hotels, transportation, and activities well in advance as literally everything in Banff fills up during the summer season.
Day 1 in Banff
- From Calgary take the first Poparide or On It shuttle (only if you’re visiting during the summer months) to Banff
- Drop your bags at your hotel/hostel and grab some food to go from Good Earth Coffee Shop
- If you’re not camping I recommend staying at The Dorothy Motel, YWCA Banff Hotel, or the Bow View Lodge
- Take the bus to Johnston Canyon and spend 4-5hrs hiking to the Ink Pots
- Return to town and check into your room
- Grab dinner in town – remember to check Taxi Mike to see if there are any meal deals
- Head to IGA to pick up enough food for two breakfasts, one lunch, and one dinner over the following days
- Walk around Banff Ave to explore the local shops
Estimated cost for day 1 in Banff for a group of 2: $256 (camping) | $556 (staying at a hotel)
Day 2 in Banff
- Great an early start and eat breakfast from the grocery haul you did the previous night. Pack a lunch to go as well
- Take the first bus of the day to Lake Louise and hike to Lake Agnes and the Little Beehive
- Take the connector shuttle to Moraine Lake
- Return to town and make some dinner at your hotel
- Go for a drink in town to end the night
Estimated cost for day 2 in Banff for a group of 2: $180 (camping) | $490 (staying at a hotel)
Helpful guides
Day 3 in Banff
- Make breakfast to-go from your food haul, take the first bus of the day to Lake Minnewanka, and eat breakfast by the lake. Purchase a multi-use bus pass depending on how many trips you plan to take that day
- Walk around the shore of Lake Minnewanka or rent kayaks (you can also do this at the Banff canoe club for cheaper)
- Return to town – on the way back you can visit Johnson Lake, Two Jack Lake, and Cascade Ponds via the same bus route
- Grab a quick takeout lunch from BARburrito or Hankki
- Walk to Bow Falls via the Bow River trail
- Spend your remaining time in Banff exploring the museums or trails like the Fenland Loop or Tunnel Mountain
- Take the latest Poparide shuttle back to Calgary so you can spend the day in town, but not have to pay for another night. Lodging will be cheaper in Calgary.
Estimated cost for day 3 in Banff for a group of 2: $80. Add an extra $40 if you decide to camp one more night or another $350 if you decide to stay one more night in a hotel.
and that concludes my Banff Budget Travel Guide. Enjoy!
Banff Google Map: 600+ Pins
Don’t feel like scrolling through blog posts trying to find things to do in Banff?
Get my 600+ Banff recommendations saved to your Google Maps app
Outdoors: hiking trails, campgrounds, ski resorts, waterfalls & lakes
Planning: lodging, restaurants, public washrooms & transit hubs
Things to do: tours, viewpoints & unique activities
I lived in Banff for years and know all the best spots!
My Featured Banff Blogs
Travel Guides
Banff Activities
Quick Banff Guide
First time visiting Canada? This page outlines all my travel tips for those new to Canada.
When to visit: this post breaks down each month in Banff with average temperatures and corresponding activities.
How to get to Banff: fly into Calgary International Airport. From here, rent a car, RV, or take one of the following shuttles to Banff:
- Budget: On-It runs during the summer months and Pop-a-Ride is a ride-share program. You can use my Poparide link to save $5 on your first trip.
- Top private shuttles: Banff Airporter and Brewster.
- Car rental: having access to a car is the best way to travel to/from/within Banff. Here are the best budget car rental options for Canada.
Best Activities in Banff: here are all my recommendations for the best tours, activities, and unique experiences in Banff & beyond.
Moraine Lake or Lake Louise: read my guide for how to get there with the new road closures. If you want to see Moraine Lake at sunrise, you can book a shuttle here.
Lodging & Camping: Here’s my guide for hotels in Banff (Organized by Category). If you’re visiting during peak summer (mid June to early September), make your lodging reservations FAR in advance. Front country and backcountry camping reservations must be made on the Parks Canada reservation system. The system typically opens in January and it’s recommended you make reservations then.
Reservations: for activities and restaurants should be made well in advance during summer. Get Your Guide and Viator are popular tour booking platforms whereas OpenTable is used for restaurants.
Parks Pass: You’ll need a National Park Pass for your vehicle for each day you’re in Banff. Passes can be purchased at the East Parks Gates, the Visitor Centre, or online. If you’ll be in any of Canada’s National Parks for more than 7 days in a 365 day period, an annual Discovery Pass offers a better rate than purchasing individual day passes.
Roam Transit: once you arrive in Banff, use the local transit service as much as possible to avoid parking issues. There are bus lines within town, plus lines to popular spots like Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon. The bus to Lake Louise should be reserved in advance.
Parking: the best spot to park is the free lot next to the train station. More information about parking in town can be found here and parking fees can be paid here. Bylaw is strict, so ensure you’re following parking rules exactly.
Wildlife Safety: 11 ways to stay safe from wildlife, bear safety, & bear basics.
Happy adventuring!
Taylor ♡
Like This Post?
Share with friends or save it for later!
About the Author
HI, I’m Taylor – the voice behind The Holistic Backpacker.
After moving to Banff National Park in 2020 I became an outdoor adventure enthusiast and vowed to never stop exploring.
I now spend my days travelling the world, climbing mountains, and spending nights under the stars in the Canadian Rockies backcountry.
I created The Holistic Backpacker so I could share my adventures and help connect people like you with the same amazing experiences.
You May Also Like
Backpacking Ya Ha Tinda to West Lakes & Warden Rock – Bighorn Wildland
Tower of Babel Hike at Moraine Lake – Banff Scrambles
