Now lets not pretend, visiting Banff does get more and more expensive each year. This small mountain town set in the heart of the Canadian Rockies sees ever increasing visitor numbers which in turn drives up the cost of accommodation, tours and activities.

However don’t fear! If you plan carefully and are willing to put in a little work it’s still very possible to make Banff work on a tighter budget.

These are my top tips for visiting Banff on a budget.

Banff avenue at sunrise dwarfed by Cascade mountain.

1)Stay out of Season

Banff is stunning at any time of year and there are great reasons to make a trip to this part of the world in any season, especially if you’re a photographer!

There are of course busier seasons though where hotel rooms are in high demand and prices sky rocket.

If you’re looking to save some money whilst staying in Banff you’ll want to try and avoid peak summer or holidays like Christmas, easter and new year.

Even though the shoulder seasons are also becoming busier nowadays aiming to stay after the ski season has wound down and before the summer kicks off is your best chance of getting a good deal.

If you’re flexible in when you visit aim for the end of April/start of May or mid to late October and November.

Keep in mind at this time of year some of the main (and expensive) attractions might not be accessible (think Moraine Lake) but there’s still plenty to see and do without so many crowds!

A quiet Banff Avenue in the shoulder season

2) Don’t Stay in Banff!

So this may seem counter intuitive and an odd tip to start off with, after all it’s Banff we want to see and explore!

A lot of hotels in Banff have fantastic access to Banff Avenue with the majority of them being set along this main street, you will however pay a premium for this location.

Try Canmore

If you’re budget conscious consider looking at nearby Canmore where there are more accommodation options. Air BnB isn’t allowed inside Banff national park due to a massive housing shortages for workers and locals.

It is however allowed in Canmore so you’re more likely to find larger self catered options great for groups.

You’ll also have the advantage of being closer to more supermarket options.

Don’t neglect Harvie Heights

Harvie Heights is a small hamlet that sits a little closer to Banff than the larger town of Canmore down the road. There isn’t a lot in the hamlet itself but you’ll be a stones throw away from all Banff and Canmore have to offer.

The Three Sisters over the Bow River in Canmore.

3) Budget Hotel Options in Banff

So I get it, you probably want to stay in Banff! There is something magical about waking up on Banff avenue, grabbing a coffee and watching the world go by.

Now I use the word ‘budget’ a little loosely here but these are my recommendations for the better value accommodation options in Banff.

Juniper Hotel

The Juniper hotel sits a little further out of town making it a more reasonable offering than hotels sat bang on Banff Avenue.

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King Edward Hotel

A little more basic an accommodation but you simply can’t beat it when it comes to location!

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HI Banff Alpine Hostel

Set in the Tunnel Mountain district this hostel offers some great budget options, especially if you’re willing to share a room!

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4) Go Camping!

I mean you’re in Banff national park after all! Camping can not only be one of the best ways to experience Banff and the Canadian Rockies but can also be one of the most budget friendly ways to stay in the town, especially if you already have your own camping gear!

There are several campsites around Banff including Tunnel Mountain Campground and Two Jack Lake. Both of which can be accessed by car or bus.

Alternatively if you have no luck with these you can again stay a little further afield close to Seebe at the Bow Valley Campground- about a 40 minute drive from Banff.

Nab those last minute cancellations!

As with anything Banff nowadays these campgrounds can book out early. However keep your eyes peeled for cancellations.

Services like Schnerp scan sites for cancellations and notify you when they become available allowing you to snag those last minute spots!

No Gear but lots of ideas?

If you don’t have the gear for camping consider renting a campervan. This will give you endless flexibility to take advantage of first come first served campgrounds as well as to do your own cooking.

I’d highly recommend checking out RVezy, the Air BnB or campervans. Here campervan owners can list their personal vans and trailers for rent meaning there is huge variety on offer as well as some great deals to be had.

RVezy

The Air BnB of campervans!

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5) Go Self Catered

So this tip goes hand in hand with some of the others. Self catered accommodation can be a little harder to come by close to Banff Avenue. The main street tends to be littered with more condensed hotel rooms so you’ll need to branch out a little if you want to cook for yourself.

If I’m honest I’m not a huge foody and I don’t really rate too many of the restaurants in Banff. In fact the majority of them are owned by the same company and have pretty similar offerings.

Personally I’d much rather have a picnic in the park, a sandwich on a hike or cook around a campfire in the evening.

You’re more likely to find self catered options in Canmore, the campgrounds or even the Banff hostel.

IGA is the cheapest supermarket in Banff with Nesters offering some great value baked goods for lunch - check out their donuts and pizza pretzls!

If you’re in Canmore you’ll have the option of a couple of larger supermarkets like Safeway and Save on foods.

6) Cheaper Spots to Eat in Banff

Even if you’re traveling on a budget it does’t mean you can’t eat out every now and again!

Even though the majority of restaurants in Banff offer sit down dining, meat heavy dinners there are a few locations that offer some great value. Here are my recommendations:

Hankki - Korean Street food at great prices and even better portion sizes. Located just over the road from central park it’s the perfect place to grab some quick food for a picnic.
Ramen Arashi - Great value and great tasting Ramen in the upper level of Sundance Mall. There’s often a cue here during busy periods but it goes quickly and is well worth the wait.
The Block - One of few independently owned restaurants still operating in Banff this intimate Asian fusion eatery offers great value share plates. If you team up with a group and share it ends up being pretty great value!
Banff Poutine - I mean you can’t come to Canada and not try a poutine right! Poutine is cheap, filling and delicious so it’s hard to go wrong! They also offer great value burgers, sandwiches and hotdogs.

7) Take Advantage of Happy Hours

If you’re looking to have a drink or two whilst in Banff but want to keep spending under control keep an eye out for the daily happy hours spread across the town.

Taxi Mike is a local taxi driver that’s been keeping track of these happy hours for years. Bookmark his website and keep your eyes peeled for those cheaper drink and food deals!

8) Avoid the Tourist Spots

Now this tip might be a little harder to follow! There are several locations in Banff that are incredibly popular, and for good reason. As visitor numbers have increased to these locations so has the price. If you’re on a budget you’d be better off avoiding some of these locations altogether or considering some of the cheaper alternatives!

Banff Gondola

Don’t get me wrong I think some of the views form atop of Sulphur Mountain are some of the best of the town of Banff. However the gondola to the top is now an eye watering $90 per person, and that’s when you book in advance, plus $17.50 for parking!

To save money consider taking the bus out to the gondola and completing the Sulphur Mountain hike. This will not only give you the same views but also a huge sense of accomplishment!

Alternatives

Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift offers a quieter experience with some equally as stunning views.
Banff Sunshine Meadows Gondola offers some fantastic hiking trails, brilliant wild flowers and comes in cheaper than the Banff Gondola. There’s even a free return bus to get you out there!

Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake is at the top of most visitors list when it comes to must dos. The lake is or course stunning and well worth a visit however since the road has been closed to private vehicles it can be quite expensive to visit.

The cheapest way to get there nowadays is by using the Parks Canada shuttle buses. 40% of the tickets go on sale in mid April and the remaining 60% 48 hours beforehand.

You’ll need to be quick or set up a request with a service like Schnerp to notify you of any last minute cancellations.

If you do end up taking a private shuttle I’d recommend Via Via Moraine - these guys pick you up directly from your hotel saving you time and money trying to get to Lake Louise for a pick up.

Alternatives

Emerald Lake - located in Yoho National park this lake rivals Moraine in it’s turquoise colour and offers some great lake side trails. Just over a one hour drive from Banff you can still currently drive your personal vehicle to the lake side parking.
Vermillion Lakes - located on the edge of Banff town these 3 lakes are easily accessible via bike or foot so if you’re willing to put in the effort are essentially free, the way nature intended!
Peyto Lake - located on the Icefields Parkway around 30 minutes from Lake Louise this iconic Rockies lake has a fantastic viewing platform and that famous turquoise glow.

Canoeing!

We’ve all seen those Instagram shots of people Canoeing on Moraine Lake or Lake Louise. Bright red canoes contrasting beautifully with the deep blue and mountain back drops.

What you probably don’t realise though is that canoeing on Moraine Lake now costs over $160 for one hour! And that doesn’t include the cost of getting there.

Alternatives

Banff Canoe Club - located on the Bow river Banff canoe club rent canoes for 1 hour for a much more stomachable $70 per hour. From here you can canoe in to Vermilion Lakes and still get that quintessential Canadian experience without the price tag.

9) Use the Bus!

The Roam Bus network is one of the most underrated and under utilised services in the Bow Valley as far as I’m concerened!

The bus service in Banff is great value and connects all of the major towns and hot spots. It is now very possible to visit Banff without a car and not miss out on any of the major sights and attractions and save heaps on parking fees.

The Roam Bus network services Banff town, Banff Gondola, Cave and Basin, Lake Louise, Canmore, Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka, Johnston Canyon and more all for a very reasonable price. In fact some hotels even offer their guests free use of the bus network.

There are even plenty of hikes you can access just using the bus.

Just some of the routes serviced by Roam

10) Free Activities

The good news is is that all the best activities in Banff are free! Well in my opinion anyway!

Hiking

Banff and the surrounding national parks are all about getting out in nature. Whether that’s a casual stroll around a lake or a strenuous hike up a mountain there is no extra charge for getting out there and seeing things!

Even if you’re a beginner there are lots of hiking options for you to try.

And if you’re a little more advanced the world really is your oyster!

Stroll Around Johnson Lake

Easily accessible by bus this **3 km walk** has some great views of the surrounding mountains.

Johnstons Canyon

Another hike accessible via bus allows you to explore thundering waterfalls that freeze solid in winter.

Watch the Sunset on Tunnel Mountain

Tunnel mountain is walkable from any hotel in Banff if you’re willing to put in the effort. The trail itself is about 4.5 km return and takes a couple of hours giving you the opportunity to spot some wildlife on the way.

On the summit you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the town below. It’s a perfect place to set yourself up with a picnic and watch the sun come down. Views like this don’t cost a penny!

Watch the Sunrise at Vermilion Lakes

One of the best spots to see the sun come up in Banff has to be at Vermilion Lakes. The first lake offers some of the best reflections and the dock makes for a great place to relax and watch the sun break the horizon. You can drive to Vermilion Lakes but it’s also a straight forward walk if you don’t have a car.

Grab Your Camera and Do Some Photography!

You’re staying in one of the most photogenic places on the planet. If you haven’t bought your camera with you I don’t know what you’re doing!

There are endless places to shoot in Banff national park, a lot of these being close to the town itself.

In fact there are so many I put together a location guide featuring over 100 locations and compositions to go and explore!

banff location guide — Photography Location Guide

100’s of locations to shoot and explore with exact GPS coordinates!

Download It Here

Drive the Icefields Parkway

If you have a car for your time in Banff and are able to sacrifice a tank of fuel then driving the Icefields Parkway is a must!

There are endless spots along the way you can simply pull over and enjoy. In fact there are so many it would be impossible to fit them all in this blog post!

I’d recommend watching the video below to show you what’s in store!

People Watch on Banff Avenue

Slow down, grab a coffee and a seat and watch the world go by. You’re on holiday after all!

Spend some time browsing the gift shops and galleries along Banff avenue and Bear street.

Even on a cold winters day it’s hard to beat the view of Cascade Mountain.

Stroll to and Visit the Cave and Basin

Even though there is small admission fee to access the inside of the main cave there is still plenty on offer if you don’t fancy paying for access.

To walk to the cave and basin simply cross the bridge over the Bow River at the south end of town and follow cave avenue west for about 20 minutes.

Here you’ll find the cave and basin historic site. You can either pay the nominal fee and pop inside or simply enjoy the boardwalks that wind their way through the woodland above.

Consider combining your walk with the Marsh Loop on the way home.

Visit Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack

If you have a car or a bus pass this is essentially free! The lakes are both great for photography, paddle boarding, picnicking or just wasting away the day.

In all honesty nowadays I’d recommend visiting by bus, especially in peak season, as parking can be challenging during busy summer months.

two jack lake sunrise — Two Jack Lake at Sunrise

10 Tips for Visiting Banff On A Budget

1)Stay out of Season