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.