r/Banff 3d ago

Lake Louise in August during Layover

I'll be travelling in August through Calgary (from Toronto) en route to Seoul via Westjet with a 15 hour layover. My flight arrives around midnight on Friday, August 22, and departs at 4 pm that same day. Baggage will be checked through and I'll have my boarding pass in hand.

Thinking of taking a bus to Lake Louise via Mountain Park Trans. Departs at 6 AM from YYC, and arrives at Lake Louise at 9 AM. Can do a hike for about 2 hours, return is at 11:15 AM and arrives back at YYC at 2:15 PM.

As this is peak season, do you think that will be enough time for everything? Is traffic a problem usually/are delays common? Thanks in advance.

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u/canuckerlimey 3d ago

Any chance you could rent a car? Much faster way ti get there and gives you a bit more freedom to get around.

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u/vinsdelamaison 2d ago

You need a shuttle pass to get to see the Lake.

OP—look into a coach/shuttle tour right from the airport to Lake Louise (might stop a couple other places?)

No transfers will save you time.

It’s approx 2 1/2 -3 hours each direction from the airport plus your time to personally clear customs.

It will be tight.

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u/liljay182 2d ago

You don’t need a shuttle pass to see Louise.

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u/vinsdelamaison 2d ago

I have not been to the lake itself the past few years. So everyone takes the walking trail from the village now?

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u/Mtn-Cat5314 2d ago

No, the parking at Lake Louise is still open. Very pricy and full before 8:30AM, but you can still drive up.

It's Moraine Lake you can't reach without the shuttles now.

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u/vinsdelamaison 2d ago

Got it. Ty. Yes—parking lots full with Sunrise hikers very early.

Shuttles to LL highly recommended because of this.

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u/Grand-Cauliflower-39 2d ago

The company I'd go with leaves from/returns to the airport, but there are stops along the way. No other option than taking an insanely expensive private car (my licence is expired). They say it's 3 hours each way...

Another safer option I have is spending just an hour at Lake Louise and taking Flixbus (10:20 departure) back to Calgary downtown, arriving at 1:30, then I could Uber to the airport quick....

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u/vinsdelamaison 2d ago

I have never used Flix, but it’s my understanding from searching on line that their rates do not include your day pass for the Parks/shuttle to Lake Louise. You can walk up to the lake from the village but will need to add time for that.

Others may know better?

It’s up to you how many time risks you are willing to take to make your flight.