Banff National Park & Gondola Day Tour from Calgary or Banff

4.3 (151 reviews) 9–11 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

151 reviews

4.3

Banff National Park & Gondola Day Tour from Calgary or Banff — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Banff National Park & Gondola Day Tour from Calgary or Banff, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover Banff National Park with us on a guided day tour from Calgary or Banff. Enjoy approximately 90 minutes to explore Banff town’s shops and cafés, then see the rushing water at Bow Falls and photograph the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel from Surprise Corner.

At the Banff Gondola stop, you can choose to purchase a ride up Sulphur Mountain for sweeping Rocky Mountain views; admission costs extra. On eligible dates, explore Johnston Canyon’s trails and catwalks. From October 13 through April, the canyon visit is replaced by Cascade of Time Garden and Cave and Basin National Historic Site, where admission is optional and costs extra.

If the gondola closes, the tour visits Mt. Norquay Viewpoint and Vermilion Lakes instead. Eligible winter departures may include a crampon experience, weather permitting.

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At a glance

Duration: 9–11 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 50 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: Chinese, English
Audio guide: Japanese
Operated by: Tourland

Ages: Infants (0–5 years) · Children (6–15 years) · Adults (16–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Professional Tour guide (Bilingual Chinese-English tour guide)
Included: Traffic Accident Insurance (10M liability)
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Free Crampon for Winter itinerary (Nov to mid-Apr)
Included: National Park Fee & GST

Not included

Not included: Free time at Banff town for lunch will be arranged
Not included: Personal expense, insurance, and additional excursions
Not included: Specific Hotel Pick up (we meet all travelers at a meeting point)
Not included: Gratuities (Suggested: CAD $15 per person per day in cash; Suggested: CAD $20 from Nov 1st)
Not included: Checked-In Luggage Allowance (Extra fee may apply if needed)
Not included: Admission fees: Admission fee of Cave and Basin National Historic Site

Itinerary

Banff

1 h 30 min

Bus Ride from Calgary to Banff / Pick Up Guests at Banff
Sulphur Mountain

1 h 30 min Admission not included

Take the Sulphur Gondola (Optional) to the top viewing point of Mt Sulphur to enjoy a 360º view of Banff.

*With the high demand, we strongly recommend to book the option provided with admission.

*Tour will not visit Banff Gondola during Jan 4~15, 2027 due to Annual Maintenance. If Banff Gondola is closed, we will visit Mt. Norquay Viewpoint and Vermilion Lakes.
Banff Avenue

1 h 30 min

Enjoy some leisure time in downtown Banff, consider grabbing lunch or looking for a new piece of gear in a shop catering to outdoor adventurers.
Johnston Canyon

one hour

Known for its walking trail throughout the year. The trail to the waterfalls of Johnston Canyon has to be the busiest in the Canadian Rockies. Nearly every day throughout the summer, hundreds of hikers follow its canyon-clinging catwalks and cliff-mounting staircases to the gorge’s Lower and Upper Falls. Throughout the journey, scan the creek and its banks for dippers. Also known as water ouzels, these solitary, slate-grey birds are often seen bouncing up and down on streamside rocks.

**From October 13 to the end of April 2027, this itinerary will be replaced with Cascade of Time Garden and Cave and Basin National Historic Site (Optional admission, Purchase on-site).
Cascade Gardens

15 min

Escape the crowds and discover the Cascade of Time Garden, a hidden gem nestled in Banff National Park. Terraced into the hillside, this tranquil oasis features vibrant floral displays, cascading waterfalls, and winding stone pathways. It offers some of the most breathtaking, unobstructed photography views of iconic Cascade Mountain.

**From October 13 to the end of April 2027, this attraction will replace the scheduled visit to Johnston Canyon.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site

30 min Admission not included

Discover the birthplace of Canada’s national parks at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff National Park. Located in the majestic Canadian Rockies, this iconic landmark preserves the natural thermal springs discovered in 1883. Today, you can explore the atmospheric underground cave filled with mineral-rich waters, enjoy interactive cultural exhibits, and stroll along scenic marshland boardwalks to spot the rare Banff Springs Snail.

*The admission fee is not included. Payable on-site.

*From October 13 to the end of April 2027, this attraction will replace the scheduled visit to Johnston Canyon.
Bow Falls

15 min

Location of the film "The River of no return" in 1960's. Fill your camera with misty shots of the tumbling rapids at Bow Falls.
Hoodoos Trail

15 min

Hoodoos are composed sedimentary rock covered by harder rock that is harder to erode. Once softer sediment erodes rock needle, or tower like natural obstacles are left.
Surprise Corner

15 min

Capture panoramic images of Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and downtown Banff framed against a backdrop of craggy peaks from the Surprise Corner lookout where most of the famous pictures have been taken.
Banff

20 min

Bus ride from attraction to Banff Town
Calgary

1 h 30 min

Bus ride from Banff to Calgary

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meeting Time 09:25AM. Departure Time 09:35AM. Please wait at the hotel lobby and our tour guide will come in and greet you.
Meeting Time 07:50AM. Departure Time 08:00AM. Please wait at the hotel lobby and our tour guide will come in and greet you.

End point

Using your ticket

Please contact us by sending email to [email protected] if you would like to be picked up at Banff but dropped off at Calgary, or picked up at Calgary but dropped off at Banff.

Please note that due to travel length and tour arrangement, we do not offer specific hotel pick up. We meet all travelers at 2 meeting locations:

1. Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel & Suites by APA, 610 4 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0K1. (Departure time 08:00 AM)

2. Banff Aspen Lodge, 401 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A9, Canada (Departure time 09:35 AM)(Subject to change to other hotels in Banff Town. Guests will be notified one day prior to departure if any changes)

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Not recommended for travelers with walking difficulties or those who require a wheelchair.

Options

From Banff No Gondola Ticket

Without Banff Gondola Ticket

Starting point:

Banff Aspen Lodge, 401 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A9, Canada
From Calgary + Gondola

With Banff Gondola Ticket

Starting point:

Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel & Suites by APA, 610 4 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0K1, Canada
From Banff + Gondola

With Banff Gondola Ticket

Starting point:

Banff Aspen Lodge, 401 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A9, Canada
From Calgary No Gondola ticket

Without Banff Gondola Ticket

Starting point:

Coast Calgary Downtown Hotel & Suites by APA, 610 4 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0K1, Canada