12 ESSENTIAL Banff & Lake Louise Travel Tips | Complete Guide to Visiting

This video will help anyone looking to visit Banff, Lake Louise or Jasper with 12 of our top travel tips. A full guide covering costs, renting a car, booking accommodation, which is the best month to visit Banff, we cover all the options when visiting the busy Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, the best hikes, best photo spots and more.
TO EASILY ACCESS ALL LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO, YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THIS PDF: drive.google.com/file/d/1yco5...
Otherwise, some links are listed below:
HOTELS STAYED AT IN THIS VIDEO
👉* Banff B&B Rated "Superb" - www.booking.com/hotel/ca/moun...
👉* Lake Louise Lodge Rated "Superb" - www.booking.com/hotel/ca/lake...
👉* Lake Louise Fairmont Hotel - www.booking.com/hotel/ca/t0l-...
👉 Jasper Cabin - alpinevillagejasper.com/cabin...
👉* Jasper Cabin alternative - www.booking.com/hotel/ca/jasp...
👉* Moraine Lake Lodge - Not mentioned in the video. This is the ONLY lodge next to the lake. Super pricey but rated as “exceptional”. This is the only way to be able to drive your car to Moraine Lake (you get special access granted by the hotel) and you can have sunrises to yourself: www.booking.com/hotel/ca/mora...
ACTIVITIES MENTIONED
👉* Banff Gondola - www.getyourguide.com/banff-l2...
👉 Lake Minnewanka Boat Cruise - bookings.banffjaspercollectio...
👉 Combination Package for Gondola and Cruise: www.banffjaspercollection.com...
👉 Columbia Icefield Adventure (Glacier and Skywalk) - bookings.banffjaspercollectio...
👉* Banff Hop on Hop Off to Moraine/Louise: www.getyourguide.com/banff-l2...
👉* Open top Shuttle to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise: www.getyourguide.com/banff-na...
👉* Louise/Moraine Trip with Tour Guide: www.getyourguide.com/banff-l2...
👉* Athabasca White Water Rafting Grade 2 - www.getyourguide.com/jasper-l...
👉* Athabasca White Water Rafting, Grade 3 so longer and tougher waters - www.getyourguide.com/jasper-l...
👉 Full length Suitcase Monkey KZbin vlog showing the above excursions: • 10 Days in Canada Vlog...
GENERAL INFO
👉 Parks Canada Park Pass Info: parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banf...
👉 Banff National Park General Info: parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff
👉 Official Page for Lake Louise/Moraine Lake Shuttle: parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banf...
👉 Roam Public Transport: roamtransit.com
👉* Denotes affiliate link that supports this channel at no extra cost to you.
00:00 Intro
1:04 Getting a Parks Pass
2:48 Best Months to Visit Banff
5:09 Banff Itinerary Suggestions
6:58 Banff Accommodation Tips
8:38 Moraine Lake, Lake Louise options
9:38 Parks Canada Shuttle
10:27 Roam Public Transport
10:50 Private Access
11:48 Parking at Lake Louise
12:19 Renting a Car in Banff
13:58 Hiking around Banff
15:00 Best Photo Spots in Banff
15:32 Paid for Activities around Banff
17:25 Top Tip on Arrival!
#canada #banff #lakelouise

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Easily access all info and links mentioned in this video, in this one PDF: drive.google.com/file/d/1yco5i3yYBhEL0F3NX93njY3jXCXOBKh1/view?usp=share_link

[@Shamsithaca]

Do you have any suggestions for elderly couples who are unable to do all the hiking? Thanks!

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Yes. Do everything the same but without the hiking bits.

[@vicksingh5161]

i had to drop a like because every time i had a question about what was being said, he literally addressed it in the next sentence!

[@mandigreenwood4374]

I was in Banff September 2023, plan to return next year. I agree with you about the Glacier and skybridge.... Thanks for the helpful video.

[@dondeestabanesosdos]

Ok, so we backed up 10 seconds, and paused.. LOL.. Love your sense of humor, and this trip!! Thank you for the details!

[@liettevandermerwe6962]

I totally did the same thing, it made me laugh, so naturally hubby wanted to see what was so funny… he watched it with me from the beginning (not complaining 😂)

[@dondeestabanesosdos]

@@liettevandermerwe6962 I actually spit my coffee this morning - I saw an older quick clip - where he quits his job. I was in tears (when he's explaining the name of the channel...)

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

“Because it’s lighter than a suitcase!”

[@wendypersad9859]

Always look forward to seeing your travels. Very relaxing ❤😊

[@Marky.a2803]

This is perfect! Going June 4th and this was so helpful! 😍

[@Thelifeofjcs]

An amazing and excellent video‼️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@irishinusa1615]

Absolutely great work 👏 👍 👏👏👏👏😍👏👏 informative, attention to detail, and video graphics 👍👍👍

[@carolinaa.4407]

Taking the time to make the pdf, that’s commitment, thanks mate 🙌🏻

[@cfrtravel7734]

Excellent resource! Heading to Banff this summer, booked literally a year ago 🙄. This was very helpful as we prepare for the trip. Thanks for sharing!

[@denabruni9086]

Great video with so much good information! Beautiful photos also.

[@deborah5221]

You do a FABulous job at being a Travel Guide! So much helpful information! ❤

[@robkahn8452]

Very thoughtful and comprehensive. Thank you.

[@dearmountains3431]

Great views out there. The hike looks so enjoyable! Spectacular views. Greetings and thanks for sharing.

[@vickimorris4802]

Just starting to plan a trip this summer to Banff, your tips are so helpful, video is so entertaining and well narrated! Thank you!

[@KillerTacos54]

Absolutely fantastic!

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

Always great tips. You guys do your homework. Harriet and I have been to Banff and Lake Louise . We had a wonderful time there. The video hit all the right notes🎵🎶 Sending you Best Wishes and Safe Travels to you and Julie🙏🙏 Jim and Harriet Richmond, Va.

[@carolyngaude6301]

Camera work was phenomenal well done most enjoyable and informative thank you both

[@miguelangelrochinstringel723]

Great video!🎉 planning motorcycle trip to Canada in 2024, really great info! Thanks! And Nice photography!

[@marshadventurey.8774]

Amazing vlog!!!! Super grateful to watching it

[@skyrainsssss56]

Your videos with subtitles really help me to learn English, and of course these amazing scenerys make them really interesting

[@user-eo2yb8xv9s]

One of my favourite holiday locations of all time. Your KZbin travel video's are thorough and well presented. Great job -keep up the good work. I agree the glacier experience is a waste of time and money.

[@karencontreras3291]

Thanks for all the information provided!! I saved this videos as a favorite for my trip to the natural parks in Alberta!!

[@maureencathers341]

Another great video! We spent three nights in Banff prior to taking the Rocky Mountaineer train to Vancouver. Your tips match up with what we experienced. We actually booked a shuttle from Calgary airport to our hotel in Banff and used the Roam buses to get around town and it was super easy. Something else about when to visit, we visited in early September. We arrived on a Monday to a blizzard that had hit that morning. We ended up with 3 feet of snow and had to go to town to buy warmer clothing. The day before we arrived it was 80 degrees Fahrenheit! The nice thing is the town has plenty of shops for whatever kind of clothing you need for the weather so don’t worry about a freak blizzard or two. Glad you all had fun on the trip!

[@maribelsouza1995]

I live 3h away from the Canadian Rocks. Your video is fenomenal. Very well done.

[@ET76001]

we just spent 10 days in Canada last November (about 6 days in Banff and the area you just discovered). It was great to re-live some of our memories through your video. 🤩

[@WinNoren]

Planning a trip for Bannf and Jasper for September 2024. Great information. Thank you! (And yes, I rewound for 10 seconds..)

[@holawanderlust8097]

Thank you so much. Planning my trip next month. This is very helpful.🚘

[@travel_nature_and_life]

wow, such wonderful sceneries ! Appreciate all the complete tips and information. 💛

[@naturewalks]

Beautiful video. Very interesting to see. Thank you for the upload, have a nice new week!

[@barbara88-]

More great information! Thank you!

[@stephaniex8776]

what a beautiful trip and thanks for the tips! i enjoy planning trips too

[@creativereindeer]

Backed up 10 seconds. And a great video!! Really appreciate the details and costs etc thanks for the help!!! Looking forward to going soon!

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

You’ll have a blast!

[@glennsmith5149]

Very helpful! Thank you for sharing.

[@wabbie88]

Wonderful video as always! I was happy to see that 'Hello Mr Bear' was included :)

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Haha. How could it not! Grammy potential!

[@maryland510]

Another excellent video!

[@rangehog9153]

Love this channel it hasnt gone down the Luxury / aspirational route as many channels have. Please Keep it real and reasonable.

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Thanks. This. I cannot promise all the time. 😅

[@hayleyteasdale7896]

Thank you so much for this helpful video! We are heading to Canada in 4 weeks time, travelling from Vancouver to Calgary over 3 weeks, and have found some great tips and ideas from both of your videos. Especially grateful for the heads up on the access to lake Louise via the shuttle bus!

[@teamcharcoal1554]

Are you in the area visiting Lake Louise now? How is it? I will be heading there in a couple weeks and want to make sure I know how to get around and everything haha

[@rodneygonzalez2476]

Very instructive, thanks a lot

[@peggymedina3172]

Love your sense of humor. Reading the full page of text made me chuckle.

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Hehe thanks

[@CeritaFandaVancouver]

I visited Banff & Lake Louise in the middle of July, best places I have ever been. Cute scene when the squirrel got startled.

[@MulletMan3108]

Suitcase Monkey back at it again with another gem. Currently on holiday in Japan with some inspiration taken from you. Keep up the great work of showing these amazing locations with such great presentation!

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Ahh that’s great to hear the Japan tips helped!

[@BanffLakeLouiseTourism]

Great tips! What a wonderful video and we're thrilled you enjoyed your visit to Banff National Park 💜

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Hi there! Check out my 10 Days in Banff video as that one more shows how your area stole our hearts! Keep up the great work.

[@Glyn_Stevens_Photography]

you transported us to a beautiful amazing place. thankyou this is what we want to do..

[@bribird6606]

My husband said you need your own travel show and I agree!!! Your vlog is incredible and so thorough! Thank you so so much. For the detailed information and humor

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Haha thanks. I guess this is my own show?!

[@shereend6341]

Omg this is amazing. Thank you so much. Lake Moraine is my favourite too. Plz plz organise a trip

[@jorel4477]

Brilliant. Thanks for this

[@mercurybird9711]

Lots of great tips! I live in Calgary and was surprised that I needed to take a bus to Moraine Lake last year during a family visit. It turned out to be a nice, stress free way to see the area actually, just chilling on the bus and enjoying the views! We found out later that we could have driven as my mother has a handicapped parking pass - but on future visits I'd still probably take the bus.

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Ah that’s good to hear the bus was enjoyable!

[@veget_asian]

Thank you very much for sharing info. Very concise and useful.

[@jojoesp8]

Very informative. Thank you for sharing. We are planning a week trip to Banff staying at Canmore x 7 nights this August.

[@PhearomLs]

Amazing of landscape there ❤❤❤

[@rhondapetsch9646]

Thank you as always for the cheeky commentary.

[@user-ie8ts1ym5q]

Fantastic resource for anyone wanting to visit Banff/Lake Louise. I took a screenshot of the maps and used this as my main source of information on which lakes/attractions to visit during our July, 2023 trip. We would have missed so many great lakes had I not followed your route. Great job Suitcase Monkey. I am Canadian and this was a trip of a lifetime for my family and I. I have you to thank for it because my teenage girls kept saying "was this lake on the Suitcase Monkey list?" And of course I said yes!

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

That’s so lovely to read. Glad you enjoyed!

[@rantmaker6427]

You made such a good job of explaining your trip and showing us all the places you visited I will not have to go there thank you so much

[@Ceedee18]

Nice job Paul! We visited all those locations on our honeymoon….wanted some nostalgia so watched your video not knowing it was you! I was like, “I know him!” From many years ago back in R092. Hope you are well, congrats on the videos. Looking forward to more! Christian

[@Mommywalkingislife]

Super nice natures beautiful it’s wonderful to see all your videos good memories and sharing 😃⭐️⭐️⭐️😊🤩

[@MrTallSimon]

Great vlog, thank you. My gf and i are visiting Canada from the uk in late june and are travelling via hire car from Vancouver to Whistler then Kamloops and stopping in Canmore for 6 days. We have already booked the gondola, plan to do an early am hike up to the Big Beehive, probably afternoon tea at the hotel at Lake Louise.

[@MrBostonian100]

awesome work, bro! Your videos are of pro quality - photography, editing, bg music and of course your narration with a touch of humour makes it classy. Also a major plus - you guys r not pretentious and not selling stuff! Keep it up!

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Thank you! Glad you like the style as I made it as a reaction to what I didn’t like others making! 😀

[@CruisingwithChooChoo]

Fantastic video with so many great tips! Yes I backed up on your list and read every word of it. Did the same thing with the driving tips page. 😅 I will be visiting Banff and Jasper next week for 16 days and I’ll be in Jasper to enjoy their dark sky festival. I have liked and subscribed . Your channel is worth following!

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Thank you my friend. You’ll have a great time!

[@niteshandsonal]

aha totally went back, paused the video and read all the test 😀great video as usual!

[@AdventureTravelandScuba]

Nicely put together travel vlog I live in Calgary Alberta and I visit many of these places regularly with family and motorcycle travel.

[@bridgerdeschamps]

5:29 - I just skipped back and read through all the text... Thanks for the content! My sister and her husband are in Canmore/Banff this week for vacation and I sent them your videos! It's been 5.5 years since I went up to that area with my wife, but we are hoping to go back again soon!

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Oh wow! Thanks.

[@kat7777]

Banff and Jasper are beautiful..... Postcard perfect 🎄 🐻

[@TruckingWifeTruckingLife]

This was super helpful. We are looking at doing a self drive trip around the Rockies as we are not tour bus people and like the flexibility of going at our own pace. Didn't know you needed park passes, etc, so the tip about annual passes and the bus situation at Lake Louise was great info. Thanks for also posting about costs, it definitely helps with "ball park" figu I watched the other vlog on the area you did and thought that was excellent too.

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Thank you. Glad it was helpful

[@ordelmere]

Excellent filming

[@johntradewell4134]

superb as ever - love your trips and tips

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Trips and tips. Good name for a channel

[@snaik44]

Extremely good vlog

[@Yelyaha]

I totally paused to read the text 🙈 Excellent tips and great idea with the PDF. Very happy to hear 'Hello Mr Bear' at the end!

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Haha. I originally scripted most of that to say but it was way too long and most people probably wouldn’t care anyway 😅

[@mohansharma7707]

Fantastic

[@myrtlebeachsocialscene]

Greetings from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina USA Really enjoyed BOTH of you and your wife's Canada trip. Such a beautiful place 😍

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Thank you

[@karlamcfarland4273]

Great information! We are going for the first time in June staying in Canmore as a home base for 9 days.

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

We really liked Canmore. Really nice vibe.

[@tmcgrenere]

As an old CDN I don't regret retiring to Nova Scotia but, you make me think otherwise!

[@kylea9552]

Very informative travel guide. Both of your Banff videos really capture the beauty of the area and are incredibly well made videos! I like your comment about driving time, as someone from the area I consider anything within a 2-3 hour drive to be "close by" but that is definitely not the case around most of the world. Only thing I would ad is a warning for people not to feed any of the animals regardless of how cute, friendly, small or hungry they appear. We have a local saying "A fed bear is a dead bear". Parks Canada has even gone as far as shutting down all access to some areas for a year at a time if animals have been fed there.

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Thanks for the extra info. Yeah I did want to go more into detail about the animals side but the video was pushing 20 mins so I needed to edit down. Thanks.

[@hamishclifton9523]

very useful!

[@user-oo1no6sb1u]

Yes, I had to rewind. Day after pie day (pi π day), I was all set to see what maths Paul was about to teach me. I enjoyed the real answer. Which means, you are explaining how to best engage your itinerary. Therefore only 10 days is required.

[@saadsyed7531]

Definitely ended up pausing, going back 10secs to read that entire text.. lol Also, great accurate info, especially the new changes to Moraine Lake access.. thank God I visited in 2022 in my car not knowing that would be the last time I could use my own vehicle to get up there 😂

[@evilduckqueen13]

Incredible video as always! Yea, I paused to read the note 😂

[@ajaypujara382]

Unbelievable nature view superb Canada really beautiful country we know

[@fdc1374]

This is a very informative video - this is not a criticism, just some information regarding skiing. I'm a ski instructor. The best time to ski starts in December as in November the snow coverage is minimal and limited runs are open. Personally, I think we get the best snow in February and March but February can be brutally cold. Some ski resorts local to Calgary are open until early May. In fact, last year Sunshine Ski Resort was open on July 1 weekend!

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Thanks for the great info!

[@bellabell737]

Fantastic video. We actually live about one hour south of Banff. We watched your video as if we’ve never seen Alberta before😂

[@pdnewcombe]

Really informative and very helpful video ahead of our forthcoming trip to this beautiful area in September. My husband will be buying the bear spray and singing the song haha. Thank you for sharing

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Have fun!

[@Keith_Aerotrunk]

This is such an amazing presentation of this beautiful destinations. Keep that content coming, Suitcase Monkey!

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Thank you

[@Keith_Aerotrunk]

@@SuitcaseMonkey all the love and support for your channel ❤❤❤

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

🙏

[@robertshewchuk4255]

Hi from Canmore once again! Another really great, informative AND incredibly accurate video! The only thing that I could add after living in Canmore for many years is that September is typically a much better month weather wise than June. June can be volatile and September, in most years, can be very nice:). Great job Suitcase Monkey!

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Ahh good to know. Thanks!

[@natatatt]

I guess we were unlucky then - we were there in Sept 2019 and it rained the entire time. (Which is fine, we're used to it in Vancouver!)

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Glad I included that bit now about the weather changing a lot! I saw it was -30 a few weeks ago!

[@fdc1374]

@@SuitcaseMonkey as I Calgarian, I can tell you this is normal! I skied in -36C this year and many days when it was below - 25C. Layers required. Heated ski boots help and heated gloves.

[@fdc1374]

Robert, I love hiking in September too and we plan at least three long hikes a week, preferably as far away as possible from Lake Louise and Morraine lake ! .

[@Nadiaandherchildren]

Beautiful

[@sophistique8093]

Ahhhh........that Englishman's sense of humour....so appealing.

[@anitasyme1769]

Great video, we head off to Canada in May and really appreciate the information you provide! Love the pink back pack, can I ask what brand it is please?

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Thanks. It’s seventeen London

[@Group51]

Great Info. I am going in early June this year and I suspect that El Niño is having its effect? My weather app says its up to 26C today in mid-May!

[@daisy123416]

Thank you for making this video! I enjoy your work! We are coming from the US and heading to Banff, Jasper & Yoho in July. Going to brave the crowds, but we are early risers so we are hoping to beat the worst of it. I keep debating on whether or not to spend the money for the Athabasca Glacier walk. We are spending $$ on gondolas and the Maligne Lake/Spirit Island tour for sure. We have never been on a glacier before. We will be in the area for 2 weeks, and will be on the Ice fields Parkway in the middle of our trip, so I thought about booking it on our way back to Banff. About how long is the experience including the ride in the monster bus? (Not including the Skywalk). If we don’t do this, we would just hike to the Toe of the Glacier. But it seems like you can’t get that close. Plus I hear it’s quite cold on the glacier. I just don’t want to regret not doing it. Ugh.

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Well I guess if you might have regrets it’s worth doing for that reason. All in total it was maybe 2 hours. About 25 mins on the ice. You don’t move that far from where you’re dropped off. It isn’t a hike or anything. Just wandering around. It was super cold and windy. If you see I was wearing my face mask to help the cold. Might be better in July tho temp wise.

[@na9eralhujailan586]

Amazing canada 😍😍🇨🇦

[@metarus208]

Canadian Rockies are awesome!

[@joannfahey8423]

I’m planning for September and your video is priceless! So many videos are just useless. No talking at all, or just some narcissist posing everywhere.

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Welcome to the channel. This is what we aim for 😍

[@villagewaycafe203]

Thanks for your video @Suitcase Monkey 😊. We plan to visit Banff NP in the middle of May. Is that possible? Are the attractions and roads open at that time? Thank you.

[@ceno2903]

I paused, went back and read it all :D

[@yvonnekneeshaw2784]

Welcome to 🇨🇦 Waterton national park is gorgeous in summer

[@terryosullivan2620]

Fantastic look into the Rockies. Am hoping to visit this september Going solo. How much isa car to rent Calgary to Jasper. Thanks again for this great vlog. Well done on this.

[@bangapry.Jr.12]

I like your videos

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Cheers

[@iki0o]

The icefield parkway is iconic because it shows how much it has retreated over the last few decades. If you don't do the tour and do the short hike up, you'll see the signs which says the year the glacier was there. So don't recommend the tour, but do recommend going!

[@erictang13]

Paused to read the text. 😂thx for the tips

[@rehmannoor2748]

Love 💖 from Pakistan

[@fdc1374]

Re: the glacier hike Unfortunately, you hiked it when it is indeed least exciting as it has a deep covering of snow on top of it that accumulated over the winter. In September, towards the last days the hike is open, it looks completely different as the sun and summer heat has melted a a few feet of the snow off. Crevasses open up and huge, cavernous moulins are shocking to behold. These form where the surface water has been rushing down across the surface of the glacier and then made a hole for the water to descend down through it. If I have visitors staying with me from the UK, I take them on this hike in September and their astonishment at the features on the glacier is a joy to watch. Note to avoid confusion for anyone, I'm referring to the hike from the car park and not the hike after getting off the tundra bus. They stop much higher up on the glacier and it does not have the same features that you can walk next to.

[@SuitcaseMonkey]

Good to know!

[@CarrieS-dk9fr]

being from MInnesota, USA, walking on a glacier is similar to what we have for weather from Nov-March. We walk on snow and ice for months every winter. I guess walking on a glacier, and paying for it, just doesn't seem worth the money.