Banff Tour with Gondola & Lake Cruise - roundtrip from Calgary
Calgary, Canada
- 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Spend the day exploring the incredible scenery of the Canadian Rockies during this day trip from Calgary to the mountain town of Banff and its surrounding attractions. Check out the surreal rock formations near Tunnel Mountain Drive, shaped by thousands of years of wind and rain. Then soar above Banff on board the Banff Gondola as you take in incredible views of the town and surrounding peaks. At the conclusion of the tour, you have the option of being dropped off in Banff for your own leisure before your shuttle departs back to Calgary. Your Banff day trip also includes round-trip transport from select hotels, coach transport, and gondola ride.
- Day trip from Calgary to Banff, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies
- Ride Banff Gondola to the top of the mountain for spectacular views
- Upgrade to include a cruise on Lake Minnewanka
- Pickup and drop-off from select Calgary hotels
What's Included
- Banff Gondola
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Pick-up and/or drop-off at multiple locations available
- Local taxes
- Lake cruise (starting mid May)
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Sandman Hotel Calgary 6:00 am pickup Calgary Marriott Downtown 6:15 am pickup
Operating hours.6:15 am
Itinerary
Get out of Calgary and into the majesty of the Canadian Rocky Mountains on this day trip to Banff and its nearby attractions. Whether you only have a short amount of time in Calgary, or are looking for a no-hassle way to experience the celebrated natural beauty of Alberta, this day trip is a great choice.
Start your trip with pickup from select Calgary hotels. Check with your tour operator for exact departure times. Please note you must be at your pickup location at least 10 minutes prior to departure. Then take a relaxing trip by coach out of Calgary, eventually arriving at the beautiful Tunnel Mountain Drive, which takes you into Banff. Make sure to watch for local creatures like elk, bear, and deer along the way.
Head next to the Banff Gondola, gliding above the nearby peaks near town, as you enjoy the incredible views on the ride up. Once you reach the top, take some time to visit the boardwalk and the 360-degree observation deck for more panoramas of the stunning collection of peaks nearby. Then continue to Bow Falls, a gushing waterfall near town which offers great photo opportunities.
Finish your day by heading back to Calgary or finish it with the option to be dropped off in Banff's downtown prior to heading back to Calgary, where you have plenty of time to explore the town at your leisure. Shop for a few souvenirs at the many retail stores lining the main strip downtown, and grab a delicious lunch (at your own expense). If you're looking for a way to add to the fun, you can purchase an optional upgrade for a cruise on the serene Lake Minnewanka. Head back to Calgary at the end of the day with both options.
Please note: This tour is seasonal and only operates from May through to October. This tour can last up to an entire day or it can be shortened.
Start your trip with pickup from select Calgary hotels. Check with your tour operator for exact departure times. Please note you must be at your pickup location at least 10 minutes prior to departure. Then take a relaxing trip by coach out of Calgary, eventually arriving at the beautiful Tunnel Mountain Drive, which takes you into Banff. Make sure to watch for local creatures like elk, bear, and deer along the way.
Head next to the Banff Gondola, gliding above the nearby peaks near town, as you enjoy the incredible views on the ride up. Once you reach the top, take some time to visit the boardwalk and the 360-degree observation deck for more panoramas of the stunning collection of peaks nearby. Then continue to Bow Falls, a gushing waterfall near town which offers great photo opportunities.
Finish your day by heading back to Calgary or finish it with the option to be dropped off in Banff's downtown prior to heading back to Calgary, where you have plenty of time to explore the town at your leisure. Shop for a few souvenirs at the many retail stores lining the main strip downtown, and grab a delicious lunch (at your own expense). If you're looking for a way to add to the fun, you can purchase an optional upgrade for a cruise on the serene Lake Minnewanka. Head back to Calgary at the end of the day with both options.
Please note: This tour is seasonal and only operates from May through to October. This tour can last up to an entire day or it can be shortened.
Brewster Sightseeing (Pass By)
Bow Falls (Pass By)
Tunnel Mountain Drive (Pass By)
1
Banff Gondola
1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Infants must sit on laps
- Prior to your travel date, your hotel details must be advised to tour operator so they may arrange your pickup. If you do not indicate this at the time of booking, you will be required to call and advise them of this information directly. The contact details will be on your voucher once you have a confirmed booking
- Guests may depart this tour in Banff if accommodation has been arranged
- Not wheelchair accessible
- The return transfer back to Calgary departs at 3:45pm
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 52 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Myroslav_S
I would absolutely recommend taking this tour.
A very professional and friendly driver and hostess, always ready to help.
The tour was nicely organized and well-planned taking us through some magnificent scenery and absolutely fabulous spots of Banff.
If you're lucky with the weather, the gondola ride is an absolute must as well as the Minnewanka lake boat trip (a big shout to the captain and the hostess there as well! )
Reviews
4.3
based on 65 reviews
Paul, Sep 2024
The gondola rides were fun and the walk across the boardwalk to the weather station was memorable. Good views of the golf course far below near the Banff Springs Hotel
Myroslav_S, Jun 2024
I would absolutely recommend taking this tour.
A very professional and friendly driver and hostess, always ready to help.
The tour was nicely organized and well-planned taking us through some magnificent scenery and absolutely fabulous spots of Banff.
If you're lucky with the weather, the gondola ride is an absolute must as well as the Minnewanka lake boat trip (a big shout to the captain and the hostess there as well! )
marian_b, Sep 2019
My friends and I had an amazing experience with the Gondola ride and climbed and look up at the Sulphur Mountain. John the driver was very knowledgeable and Anya was very helpful and was taking pictures to everyone
Tina_T, Sep 2019
Although it's a shorter than expected stay at Banff on 10 Sept, our driver Alexster (pardon me if spell wrongly) and gudie Jack are professional in their knowledge, as well as friendship efficient and humorous. especially for the personal antetcdotes from driver, and we get to learn about the boys scouts' chant! :)
Robin_W, Sep 2019
Mark and Charlie were absolutely fabulous. They were very knowledgeable and entertaining. Charlie is a great photographer!
THOMAS_C, Jul 2019
This was an excellent adventure. The day trip to sulphur mountain and the gondola ride were amazing. Our host Joe and driver Rebecca were very knowledgeable and funny and made everyone feel at home also answering all questions . The snack time and meet were chances to talk to the others and meet new friends..Overall an awesome time..Thanks
Andrea_C, Jun 2019
Wonderful day trip....Lots to see and do....Just wish I had more time to go spend a day at Lake Louise....
Expedition630985, May 2019
Our rides from Calgary was smooth, however the driver was rude when we asked him clarification on the next transfer bus for Banff sight seeing (8:30am). He was upset that we asked him couple of time about the same thing, but we were not sure where we should go for the next bus. The gondola trip was great and they managed it really well and we were pleased to see that they gave us a separate gondola since we were with an toddler. However, the rest of the trip after Gondola was not very good, there were too many short trips and it was really hard for us travelling with a toddler. Keep in mind that they drop you off around Banff downtown around 1:30PM and no proper information was provided to us about the next pick up to Calgary (also we were dropped off at the wrong locations, since the guide missed our stop). We had to call customer support multiple times to find the nearest pickup point and we didnt have enough time for proper lunch since we had confusion on the next pickup. Overall, I would not recommend someone who is planning for this trip from Calgary for a day and it may be useful for people who are already staying in Banff.
rogeryhsu, Sep 2018
If you are happened to be in Calgary for a short period of time, you can enjoy the real natural beauty in one day by taking this trip. The local operators is very good. I was very impressed by the precise timing of departure and arrival of each points. I do wish they cut one of the view point (like Fairmont Spring Hotel) and increase the time of staying at lake shore for those who do not want to take a lake cruise.
Fe R, Jan 2018
Worth taking this tour - well organized and excellent tour staff.
TanFoong_K, Oct 2017
We really loved visiting Banff and the tour guide was friendly.......it was just that this group was HUGE and impersonal:
Steven_C, Oct 2017
You must go to see the Rockies if visting Calgary and this trip was great from the Hotel pickup to the return and the Gondola up the mountain was incredible with awsome scenery.
MARIATERESA_H, Oct 2017
I will bring my girls in summer they can't wait to be there :
Richard M, Sep 2017
This 10 hour day started with a two hour bus ride from Calgary to Banff. There was Lake Louise in all her splendor as shadows mirrored the pristine waters. We drove through town to see the resort. Went through fashionable neighborhoods. While in Banff, we rode the gondola for a panoramic view of the resort many thousands of feet below. An optional boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka was taken. Touristy, but still spectacular. This tour was very professional. Recommended.
Cecily_S, Sep 2017
We enjoyed our all day trip from Calgary to Banff, riding the gondola and seeing all the sights around Banff. It was especially nice to enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate after the trip to the sulfur springs!! I am still using my cup back at work.
The only jarring note was that we thought we would be taken back to the Fairmont Pallister Hotel in Calgary where we had started the trip that morning but there was a side trip to the airport first making the day longer.
Otherwise it was a very enjoyable day with great hosts and I would highly recommend it!!
Sherry M, Sep 2017
Great way to see Banff and the Rocky Mountains. We took the tour from Calgary - with pick up right from our hotel. Long day but well worth it.
Driver Andy and tour guide Hansell very knowledgable and made the day fun. The gondola is an awesome experience. Will definitely book again !!!
FOLUSO A, Sep 2017
Amazing experience, stunning views, well planned, insightful, great tour guides. We also did the lake cruise and the tour guides were fantastic.
joanna w, Aug 2017
Brilliant trip great experience and good value for money. scenery breathtaking and a lot fitted into one day would highly recommend. Brewster vacation staff in Canada very helpful great way to sample Banff!
Elena K, Aug 2017
Would be a great tour if not that haze from the wild fires. The haze blocked the view most part of the tour. Both tour guide and driver were awesome.
Shaham S, Aug 2017
The tour was very good. It was impossible for us to visit all those places on our own if hadn't got this tour. Beautiful place and weather.
MrsLesleyP_S, Sep 2016
Amazing tour. We thought we would be just picked up and dropped off at the gondola and lake but we were given a full guided tour off Banff and stopped for lots of photo opportunities. Funny and very informative guide. Great day.
KohliG_S, Sep 2016
One of the most beautiful places. The tour offered a lot of choices.
Yinci Y, Jul 2016
Got the chance to view the beautiful landscape of Banff, our guide Tim was also great. Wish the trip could be a bit longer.
Jack D, Jul 2016
The guide and driver were great as was the gondola and other sights. However, Banff, itself was no big deal. Also, it's a long ride from Calgary to Banff. If you're staying in Banff then take the tour, but if not find something else to do closer to Calgary.
Jean B, Jul 2016
This tour was made by Alalan and Jade driver and hostess they were fabulous to us all it was amazing seeing the beautiful sites of the Rockie mountains and the river trip is a must learning the history of them I have recommended you to other hotel guests thank you for helping may my stay Wonderful
Miranda M, Jun 2016
I really enjoyed this tour through Banff, and the add-on of the Gondola and lake tour. The tour guide was knowledgeable and shared stories and information about the history, as well as helpful hiking tips. I'd love to come back to Banff and participate in some of the other options available.
Daniel M, Aug 2015
It's an early start to the day out of Calgary, but well worth it. Having the gondola ride first was great from the perspective that my breath was taken away right off the bat and it was only crowded on the way down. The guide was knowledgeable and humorous. I'm not really a tour kind of person, but this one was excellent.
Diane I, May 2015
The tour was amazing. Our tour guide was very friendly and interesting to listen to, answering all our questions with knowledge and a bit of humour. He made everyone feel very special and genuinely cared for our comfort. Thank you for a wonderful day!
dennisridley9, Oct 2014
Excellent drivers very informative information
Coach very comfortable
Very well organized and much enjoyed
Patricia J W, Sep 2014
Banff was wonderful but I was concerned that the second driver was not sure where to direct me to the bus terminal for my ride back to,Calgary. Turns out he directed me incorrectly to the wrong terminal and I found my way to the Brewster depot by accident.
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