5 Days in Banff & Lake Louise: The Perfect Itinerary
5-day balanced trip to Banff & Lake Louise with general sightseeing, activities, and meals
Day 1 — Arrival in Calgary & Drive to Banff
- 10:00 — Flight Arrival (YYC Calgary International Airport, Calgary, AB)
- 11:00 — Pick Up Rental Car (YYC Calgary International Airport, Calgary, AB)
- 11:30 — Drive to Banff (Trans-Canada Hwy/AB-1 W, Calgary to Banff)
- 13:30 — Lunch (Park Distillery, Banff, AB)
- 14:30 — Explore Banff Town (Banff Avenue, Banff, AB)
- 16:00 — Check-In Hotel (Hotel in Banff (e.g., Banff International Hostel))
- 17:00 — Dinner (Evelyn's Coffee Bar & Restaurant, Banff, AB)
- 18:30 — Rest (Hotel)
Day 2 — Banff National Park Exploration
- 07:00 — Breakfast (Wild Flour Bakery, Banff, AB)
- 08:00 — Surprise Corner & Hoodoos Trail (Surprise Corner, Banff, AB)
- 10:00 — Banff Gondola & Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk (Banff Gondola, Banff, AB)
- 12:00 — Lunch (Sky Bistro, Banff Gondola Top Station)
- 13:00 — Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive & Boat Tour (Lake Minnewanka, Banff, AB)
- 15:00 — Bow Falls Viewpoint (Bow Falls, Banff, AB)
- 16:30 — Dinner (The Bison Restaurant, Banff, AB)
- 18:00 — Rest (Hotel)
Day 3 — Lake Louise & Moraine Lake
- 06:00 — Breakfast (Wild Flour Bakery, Banff, AB)
- 07:00 — Drive to Lake Louise (Trans-Canada Hwy/AB-1 W to Lake Louise)
- 08:00 — Moraine Lake Sunrise & Lakeshore Walk (Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, AB)
- 10:00 — Lake Louise Lakeshore & Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Lake Louise, Lake Louise, AB)
- 12:00 — Lunch (Poppy Brasserie, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise)
- 13:30 — Drive to Johnston Canyon (Trans-Canada Hwy/AB-1 E to Johnston Canyon)
- 15:00 — Johnston Canyon Walk (Lower & Upper Falls) (Johnston Canyon Trail, Banff, AB)
- 17:00 — Drive Back to Banff (Johnston Canyon to Banff)
- 18:30 — Dinner (Park Distillery, Banff, AB)
- 20:00 — Rest (Hotel)
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Quick answers
How many days do you need in Banff & Lake Louise?
This itinerary covers Banff & Lake Louise in 3 days — see the full day-by-day plan above.
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