How to Get to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise – HIKE | BIKE | SHUTTLE
2023 was the first year in history Moraine Lake road closed to personal vehicles. With the new restrictions in place, getting to Moraine Lake can be confusing. In this post I’ll outline all the different ways you can get to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise; planes, trains and automobiles – or something like that.
The ways you can get to Moraine Lake vary whether you have a car or are on foot. And as time goes on Lake Louise is becoming closer and closer to having similar restrictions. It won’t be long until all the major lakes in Banff require advanced reservations and commercial transportation.
In other words, get used to finding and using all sorts of shuttle options to fulfil your Banff dream vacation!
Skip Ahead:
- Where is Moraine Lake
- Why is the Moraine Lake road closed?
- Things to do at Moraine Lake
- Where to stay at Moraine Lake & Lake Louise
- How to get to Lake Louise
- 6 Ways to get to Moraine Lake
- FAQ getting to Moraine Lake
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Interactive Banff Map – from a LOCAL
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I lived in Banff for years & know all the best spots!
Outdoors: 100+ hiking trails, scrambles, backcountry routes, waterfalls & lakes
Planning: lodging, parking, restaurants, public washrooms, transit hubs, shopping & services
Things to do: tours, viewpoints, unique activities, & local secrets
Quick Banff Guide
RENT A CAR: I highly recommend renting a car to explore Banff’s remote trailheads and attractions not accessible by public transport. My favourite site to find the best local rental deals is this one.
How to get to Banff: fly into Calgary International Airport. From here, rent a car (what I recommend) or take one of the following shuttles to Banff: On-It (budget) runs during the summer months | Pop-a-Ride is a ride-share program – you can use my Poparide link to save $5 on your first trip | Banff Airporter and Brewster are professional services.
Moraine Lake & 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.
Best Activities in Banff: here are all my recommendations for the best tours, activities, and unique experiences in Banff & beyond.
Lodging & Camping: see my guide which outlines the best hotels in Banff by category. Summer and peak winter visits require advance bookings. Camping reservations must be made on the Parks Canada reservation system which typically opens in January – make your reservations then.
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 temps and corresponding activities.
Reservations: for activities and restaurants, reservations should be made in advance during summer and holidays. Get Your Guide and Viator are popular tour booking platforms whereas OpenTable is used for restaurants.
Parks Pass: your vehicle needs a parks pass which can be purchased from the East Parks Gates, the Visitor Centre, or online. An annual Discovery Pass is more economical if you’ll be in Canada’s National Parks for more than 7 days in 1 year.
Roam Transit: in Banff, use the local transit service, as much as possible to avoid parking issues in popular places like Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon.
Parking: use the large free lot next to the train station. More town parking info can be found here and parking fees can be paid here.
Wildlife Safety: 11 ways to stay safe from wildlife, bear safety, & bear basics.
My Featured Banff Blogs
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How to get to Moraine Lake
SUMMARIZED: My Top Pick Moraine Lake Shuttles
If you’re short for time, here are my summarized top picks for shuttles to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.
- My #1 pick is the Moraine Lake Bus Company for their flexible pickup times; best for hiking (Lake Louise pickups only)
- Discover Banff is a local tour operator that’s been around for years. They offer roundtrip transportation from Banff with stops at both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
- This tour has Banff and/or Canmore pickup with stops at both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
- This tour offers Banff, Canmore, or Calgary pickups with stops at Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, and Emerald Lake
Where are Moraine Lake & Lake Louise?
Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are located just outside the town of Lake Louise which is 45 minutes from the town of Banff.
Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are 2.5hrs from Calgary, 1.5hrs from Golden and they’re both reachable by bus if you’re coming from the town of Banff or Lake Louise Village.
In my interactive Banff map I have Lake Louise and Banff’s important transit stops marked with additional notes of helpful information.
Skip ahead:
Best Banff Car Rentals
Most of Banff’s remote trailheads and attractions are inaccessible via public transportation. I 100% recommend renting a car to make the most of your time in the Rockies.
My favourite rental tool is this site as it compares all the local car rental shops to find you the best rate.
Why is the Moraine Lake Road Closed?
Moraine Lake is the “poster-child” of Canadian nature and beautiful mountain scenery. If you’ve seen anything online about Canada prior to visiting, it’s either been photos of Moraine Lake and/or Lake Louise.
Moraine Lake is the bluest body of water I’ve ever seen + the way it’s positioned makes for the most unreal sunrise. The alpenglow from the rising sun completely lights up the Valley of the Ten Peaks which are the beautiful mountains backing the lake. These factors plus the beautiful hiking trails and Larch trees in the fall make Moraine Lake #1 on anyone’s Canada bucket list.
With this being said, Moraine Lake was becoming a bit chaotic. If you wanted a parking spot you’d have to arrive no later than 4:00am and even that was becoming “too late.” The vast number of people visiting the lake was putting the fragile ecosystem there at risk & the environment around the lake was becoming much too touristy in terms of noise pollution, garbage, etc.
The Moraine Lake road closure was put in place to protect the vegetation, landscape, and wildlife in the area. Even though it’s much more difficult to get to Moraine Lake come 2023, it’s much better for the ecosystem of Moraine Lake in the long run.
Skip ahead – how to get to Moraine Lake.
Things to do at Moraine Lake & Lake Louise
Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are paradise for outdoor adventurers. The hiking trails, mountain tops, and blue bodies of water in the area make for an ethereal landscape. Here are a few things you can do at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise:
- Go hiking – I’ve written about every trail at Moraine Lake in this post and very hike at Lake Louise in this post.
- Watch sunrise – Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are two of the most beautiful sunrise locations in Canada. As of 2023 the only way to see Moraine at sunrise is to hire a private shuttle operator, which you can do here.
- Canoe – canoes can be rented from the docks at the lakes. Last I checked rentals were upwards of $150/hour but the experience is definitely worth the price tag.
- Stay at the Moraine Lake Lodge – this is a pricey endeavour, but the lodge gives you unlimited access to the lake, hiking trails, and canoe rentals. Your food and parking are included (you can drive a personal vehicle if you stay at the lodge), but make sure you book far in advance as rooms here fill up instantaneously when bookings go live.
- Stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – get a front row seat to one of the most beautiful lakes in Canada. Discounted canoe rentals are included in your stay, on-site dining is available, and you won’t have to fight the crowds to find parking.
Moraine Lake sunris
Where to Stay at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
There are plenty of places to stay in the lake Louise area. You can find a list of all Lake Louise accommodations here, but the following are my favourite:
Moraine Lake
The only place to stay at Moraine Lake is the Moraine Lake Lodge. If you want to stay on the lake, be sure to make a reservation far in advance as bookings fill up instantly. Staying at the lodge grants you unlimited access to the lake, canoe rentals, a parking spot (lodgers can drive their personal vehicles to Moraine Lake), and food.
Lake Louise
- Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – this is a bucket list stay in the Canadian Rockies. The Fairmont is located on the edge of Lake Louise. The view from the hotel windows are amazing and guests at the Fairmont are the only people eligible to use the canoe rentals at sunrise.
- Paradise Lodge and Bungalows is only 500m away from the lake and it’s a more budget-friendly option than the Fairmont.
- HI Lake Louise Hostel – for the backpacker looking to save a few $ and meet people along the way. Book in advance (Jan/Feb) as the hostel fills up early in the year.
- Lake Louise Inn – best value stay in the village of Lake Louise.
- Local Campgrounds – run and maintained by Parks Canada. These campgrounds are the ultimate budget option in Lake Louise, but you must book months in advance if you want a spot during high season.
How to get to Lake Louise
Out of the two, Lake Louise is much easier to access than Moraine Lake (for now). Here are the options for getting to Lake Louise:
Drive Your Personal Vehicle to Lake Louise
Unlike Moraine Lake, you CAN drive to Lake Louise. The Lake Louise parking fee is now a whopping $42 per day (as of 2026, but each year the fee increases). You must arrive early to get a parking spot – no later than 7:00am. Earlier on weekends, holidays, or high season just to be sure. Keep in mind, parking is guaranteed to fill up every day.
If the parking lot at Lake Louise is full, you can park your car at the Lake Louise ski resort (for free) and take the Park & Ride shuttle (for a fee) to the lake. It’s recommended that you book your shuttle in advance as they typically sell out, however walk ons are accepted according to availability. Cash is required for payment for walk ons – $8 per person.
To make a booking: click this link, filter the menu to “day use” -> choose the “Moraine Lake & Lake Louise” option -> select “Banff – Lake Louise” as the location -> filter your dates -> click the “list” icon & choose a time.
Alternatively, the Moraine Lake Bus company offers a direct route to Lake Louise from the town of Banff which alleviates the hassle of “planes, trains, and buses.”
Bus to Lake Louise – Roam Transit
Special note for Lake Louise bus payments and reservations – the Lake Louise bus runs year-round. Make roundtrip reservations in advance. Walk-ons are accepted on a first come, first serve basis – arrive at least 1hr early. Have exact cash ready or pay using the Token Transit app for walk-ons.
- Route 8X – this bus line departs the high school transit hub (across IGA) in the town of Banff and goes directly to the lake. It’s best to get a day pass (round-trip fare) which is $20 for adults, $10 for youth + senior, and free for children 12 and under.
SUPERPASS
This pass is the holy grail of bus passes in Banff. It’s a one-day pass which grants you unlimited access to the 8X as well as the Moraine Lake connector, Canmore/Banff regional, Johnston Canyon route and more. I recommend this pass if you’re hoping to visit both lakes or multiple locations within the Bow Valley in the same day.
The pass costs $25/adults, $12.50 for youth + seniors, and free for children 12 and under. Reserve your Superpass here.
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:
7 Ways to get to Moraine Lake
Now, the reason for this post – how to get to Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake shuttle services are only operational during the summer months as the road is not maintained once the snow hits. The road is typically open from June 1-Oct 10, but this is weather dependent.
1. Parks Canada Shuttle to Moraine Lake
Using public transit to get to Moraine Lake is complicated – I’ll try to break things down as simply as possible here:
- If you have a car
- Drive to the Lake Louise ski resort for the Park and Ride program. The Parks Canada shuttle will take you directly to Moraine Lake. On the return you will be dropped off at Lake Louise Lakeshore where you’ll catch the free shuttle back to the Ski Resort.
- Use the Parks Canada Reservation Service to book your round-trip connector bus to Moraine Lake.
- How to book the Moraine Lake connector: filter the menu to “day use” -> choose the “Moraine Lake & Lake Louise option” -> select “Banff – Lake Louise” as the location -> filter your dates -> click the “list” icon & choose a time.
- If you don’t have a car – book a Superpass. This will provide you with transportation from the town of Banff to Lake Louise AND Moraine Lake.
- From the Highschool Transit Hub in Banff go to Lake Louise Lakeshore via Roam Transit 8X. Catch the Parks Canada shuttle to Moraine Lake from here, then catch the same connector back to lake Louise where you’ll hop back on the Roam bus back to Banff.
- Note – the Parks Canada shuttles to and from Moraine Lake are plentiful and run constantly. Don’t worry about timing.
- With the Superpass you’ll also have 24hr access to all Roam transit services; Canmore, Johnston Canyon, Sulphur Mountain, Lake Minnewanka, etc
**Reservations online or by phone (1-877-737-3782 OR 1-519-826-5391 for outside North America) must be made FAR in advance. Otherwise, you can try a last-minute reservation. This is an excerpt from the Parks Canada website about last minute reservations:
“Limited spaces will be held for last-minute reservations, and will be released daily at 8:00 a.m. MDT, two days before the scheduled departures. – Tickets are for a one-hour window; you may show up anytime during that hour. Once at the lakes you may stay as long as you choose and connect between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on a first come first serve basis, via the Lake Connector shuttle. Your ticket includes return shuttle service from either lake back to the Park and Ride.”
More information from Parks Canada
2. Sunrise Shuttle to Moraine Lake
If you’re hoping to catch one of the infamous sunrises at Moraine Lake or get an alpine start for hiking, you’ll likely need to book a sunrise shuttle. My favourite Moraine Lake sunrise shuttle is via the Moraine Lake Bus company (linked below).
This is a private shuttle operator which is owned by two Banff locals who pay their employees a fair Alberta living wage (a rarity for Banff). What I like most about this company is you can jump on any return shuttle and your visit isn’t timed (although you can book a specific return time). This is great if you’re hiking and are unsure about a return time or want to spend more time in the area than other guided trips allow (typically 30-60 minutes).
You can book with the Moraine Lake bus company here
The only downfall to the Moraine Lake Bus Company is they depart from Lake Louise, not Banff. If you’re sans-vehicle, you may want to consider one of the options below:
- Discover Banff is a local tour operator that’s been around for years. They offer roundtrip transportation from Banff with stops at both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
- This tour has Banff or Canmore pickup with stops at both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
- This tour offers Banff, Canmore, or Calgary pickups with stops at Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, and Emerald Lake
3. “Alpine Start” via Parks Canada Shuttle to Moraine Lake
As of 2024, Parks Canada has implemented an “alpine start” shuttle for hikers and climbers looking to tackle bigger objectives in the Moraine Lake area. This service books completely in advance, however 2 days before your arrival date at 8:00am, limited last minutes spots can be reserved here.
The alpine start shuttles to Moraine Lake are at 4:00am and 5:00am from Lake Louise Lakeshore. Shuttle fees + Lake Louise parking fees apply.
4. “Hike” to Moraine Lake
You can hike – more like “excruciatingly walk” – to Moraine Lake from the Lake Louise Lakeshore or the village. The road itself is around 12kms one-way with 250m elevation gain from Lake Louise Dr. Keep in mind you’ll have to budget in the extra distance and elevation from your starting point at either the lake Louise Lakeshore or the lake Louise Village.
I do not recommend this option at all.
5. Bike to Moraine Lake
You can also rent a bike (or E-bike) from the Lake Louise Village at Wilson Mountain Sports and cycle up to the lake. The round-trip distance is 30kms+ with 400m+ of elevation gain (around 1.5hrs-2hrs+ one-way). You’re passing through grizzly country with zooming shuttles passing you around blind corners. I don’t necessarily recommend this option either unless you cycle in prior to the official road opening date in June.
Keep in mind the road is closed due to avalanche risk which you’ll be exposed to during your early season cycle.
How to get to Moraine Lake
6. Stay at Moraine Lake Lodge
Moraine Lake Lodge is situated on the edge Moraine Lake, giving you unlimited access to the lake, local hiking trails, food, and canoe rentals. This is a pricey option, but it’s the best way to authentically experience Moraine Lake!
Make sure to book your stay in advance as spots fill up far in advance.
7. Book a Guided Tour to Moraine Lake
Guided tours are not my favourite – or even preferred – way of travelling because of the amount of people on-board + the rush, BUT if you’re desperately searching for how to get to Moraine Lake, this could be a great option. Guided tours save the hassle of DIY booking and they’ve always got space available.
Both Get Your Guide and Viator have great Moraine Lake transportation options. These hyperlinks will bring you directly to the Moraine Lake tours: Get Your Guide + Viator.
Moraine Lake Autumn Shuttle Service
This is my favourite way to get to Moraine Lake. This option is only available during Larch season.
The Moraine Lake fall service typically begins around mid September and goes until the end of the season – aka when the Moraine Lake road closes in October. The closure typically happens around October 10th, but it’s weather dependent. The fall service is route 10. It departs the High School Transit Hub across from IGA and drops you off directly at Moraine Lake.
Once October hits you’re actually able to see sunrise at Moraine Lake via route 10 on the 7:00am bus making this the easiest and best way to get to Moraine Lake for sunrise. For a limited period of time that is.
Reservations are required to use this bus, but walk-ons are accepted if there’s room. Take exact cash ($25) and get to the stop early.
FAQ Getting to Moraine Lake
- When is the Moraine Lake road open?
Typically the Moraine Lake road is open from June 1-October 10, but this is weather dependent as the road is not maintained throughout the winter.
- How can I see sunrise at Moraine Lake?
With the new road closures in place, the best way to see sunrise at Moraine Lake is to book a privately operated sunrise shuttle, stay at the Moraine Lake Lodge, or use Parks Canada’s alpine start shuttle.
- Can I bring dogs on the Moraine Lake bus?
Dogs and other animals are not permitted on the Roam bus OR Parks Canada shuttles unless they’re small enough to fit in a lap carrier (Roam) OR crate (Parks Canada).
Private limos and some tour operators offer pet-friendly transportation. You can find more about those options here.
- Can kids ride the bus to Moraine Lake for free?
Children 12 and under can ride the Roam bus and Parks Canada shuttles for free.
- Are there are any discounts available for the Moraine Lake bus?
No “discounts” are available, however youth (13-17) and seniors (65+) can ride the Roam bus & Parks Canada shuttles for half the cost of an adult.
- How far in advance do I need to book the Moraine Lake and Lake Louise shuttle?
As far in advance as possible. Most visitors make their reservations months in advance. Spots are very limited as this is one of Canada’s most popular tourist attractions.
- Is there any way to drive my own car to the lake?
The only way to drive your own car to Moraine Lake is if you stay a night at the Moraine Lake Lodge OR if you have a handicap placard.
- How do I get to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise without a reservations?
You can access Lake Louise without a reservation via driving a personal vehicle to the lake. Be sure to get there latest 7:00am during summer for parking purposes.
If you do not have a personal vehicle, try to get a walk-on spot on the bus to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. Be at the bus stop early and have exact change to pay for the bus. In high season I arrived 1 hour early before the first bus and I never had issues getting on.
- How do I pay for the Roam bus?
You can pay online when you make a reservation or have exact change; no cards are accepted for payment. Alternatively, you can pay via the Token Transit app. The app is typically my preferred way of paying.
Interactive Banff Map – from a LOCAL
Get my 600+ local Banff recommendations saved to your Google Maps app
I lived in Banff for years & know all the best spots!
Outdoors: 100+ hiking trails, scrambles, backcountry routes, waterfalls & lakes
Planning: lodging, parking, restaurants, public washrooms, transit hubs, shopping & services
Things to do: tours, viewpoints, unique activities, & local secrets
and those are all your options for hoe to get to moraine lake and Lake Louise.
Happy adventuring!
Taylor ♡
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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.
