How To Visit Banff On A Budget

The Canadian Rocky Mountains and Banff in particular have a reputation for being expensive.  There’s certainly no shortage of establishments catering to deep pockets, but there are ways to help keep your vacation costs down. This is a guide for the average visitor coming to Banff that wants to keep their expenses to a reasonable level, but still try to have an enjoyable trip.

Skip The Paid Tourist Attractions And Stick To Free Or Lower Cost Activities

One way to save money is to avoid the high priced tourist attractions. Adding these pricey activities into your itinerary can quickly escalate the cost of your visit. The parks are a vast area consisting of some of the most beautiful nature and mountain scenery in the world. Visitors were attracted to the beauty of the area long before there were any gondolas, boat cruises and glacier rides operating. Once you have purchased your park pass you can spend time admiring the majestic mountains and glacier lakes, walking along the pathways and hiking trails and driving the scenic roadways for free.

Don’t feel you are missing out if you can’t afford to partake in the paid attractions that are meant to empty tourist’s wallets. There are so many beautiful spots to visit such as Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway and many other free and low cost activities in Banff to enjoy.

The Cheapest Times Of The Year To Visit Banff And The Canadian Rocky Mountains

If your budget is limited it’s easier to tell you when not to visit the Canadian Rockies and that would be during the summer months. This is peak tourist season and if you plan to stay in Banff during this time, be prepared to pay for it. Budget priced accommodation by Banff standards can be shocking.

Below is a rough breakdown of the seasonal accommodation pricing. These are just general guidelines of what to expect for typical hotel style accommodation at the lower end of the price scale. Higher end and luxury properties will be significantly more. We’ve based the prices on a double occupancy room during the week. Accommodation booked during a weekend, a holiday or during a special event can increase dramatically depending on the demand.

Mid-June through mid-September – accommodation is at premium pricing. Some hotels may have a 2 day minimum stay for weekends. Expect most hotel room prices to be between $400 to $550 a night and go up from there. Consider anything less a bargain.

Mid- to late September. Prices don’t seem to drop as much as they used to for the last half of September. Don’t expect much more than a slight decrease from the summer rates.

Early to mid-October is shoulder season. Prices are still high, but usually cheaper than the summer months. Expect prices from $250 to $400 a night and up, although you may be able to find some better deals.

From mid-October to mid-December is considered somewhat off-season. There are room options available in ranges from $180 to $250 a night. November is considered one of the quietest months in the mountains and you may get deals as low as $150 a night or less.

Mid-December through the first week of January – prices increase and they peak to a premium from the weekend before Christmas through the first week of January. Hotels may have a two night minimum stay over the weekends and up to a four night minimum stay over the Christmas holidays. Rooms will be $400 to $600 or more per night.

The second weekend of January to mid-May – during the peak of ski season which runs from Christmas through early March the prices will be higher. Especially on weekends when skiers flock from nearby areas to stay in the mountains. Expect $180 to $300 a night during the week. The weekends can be $100 to $200 or higher a night compared to the week day prices. If you can visit during the week in the ski season it will not only save you money the slopes will be a less crowded.

Mid-May to mid-June is another shoulder season. The prices start to increase, but are not as high as the summer months. Average prices $250 to $400 per night.

Canadian Statutory Holidays To Take Note Of When Planning A Trip

Take note of the holidays that may affect prices from the averages listed above and may require advance booking due to high demand.

• December 25th Christmas Day and the 26th Boxing Day through Jan 1^st New Years is a busy time
• February – third Monday is Family Day which creates a busy long weekend during the ski season
• March/April – Good Friday through Easter Sunday creates a busy long weekend, the dates fluctuate between late March and April each year.
• May – the Monday before May 25^th is Victoria Day creating a long weekend and is dubbed as the start of the tourist season
• July 1^st – Canada Day. If it’s on a Friday or Monday it creates a busy long weekend. Even if it’s during the week the day is busy in the parks.
• August – Civic Holiday, first Monday of the month. It creates another busy long weekend
• September – Labour Day the first Monday of the month. The last long weekend of the summer tourist season.
• October – second Monday of the month is Canadian Thanksgiving
• November – Remembrance Day the 11^th of the month. Usually not too busy to worry about this date.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Visiting In The Off Season?

If you plan to partake in activities like boat tours or the Ice Explorer on the Athabasca Glacier take note that most of these types of tourist operations close for the season by mid-October. From then until the first week of December is a time of transition or off-season. The summer/fall activities have ceased but the winter ones have not yet started.

See our post on Visiting the Rocky Mountains In The Off Season Of November.

Mid-April through mid-May is another time of transition, especially in places of higher elevation. Winter activities are ending as Spring is trying to take hold. Many of the glacier lakes remain frozen, only the lower valley trails are free of snow for hiking and most tourist activities such as lake cruises don’t start up until the beginning of May. Temperatures can still be quite cold and the weather can be unpredictable with snow storms occurring.

Tour operators offer cheaper rates during this time for visitors coming from overseas. If you’re planning your once in a lifetime dream trip make sure your visit is going to meet your expectations. If you have always wanted to see the beautiful turquoise glacier waters of the Rocky Mountain lakes this is not the time to visit.

For more information on visiting in the spring  or late fall see our post Pros and Cons of Banff and Jasper in the shoulder season of April and May

Tips For Booking Banff Accommodation

Booking accommodation well in advance is a must for July and August and through most of September. Any lower priced rooms are gone early. Start looking six months ahead of time. The longer you wait the less selection there will be. If you try to book last minute or arrive without a place to stay you can expect to pay an exorbitant amount for a room, if you can find one at all.

Weekends and holidays in the summer are the most expensive and book up the quickest. If you’re only staying for a few days try to plan it between Monday and Thursday to save a few dollars. You can search for hotels that offer package deals, some have rates that include the Banff Gondola or ski passes.

Consider A Room With A Kitchenette To Save On Food Costs

Having accommodation with a small kitchenette or full kitchen can allow you to prepare at least some of your own meals and cut down costs. In the crowded and busy summer months it can be much more relaxing to come back to your own peaceful space for your evening meal. Some hotels offer BBQ areas for guests to use in the warmer months.

Many of the hotels that offer kitchens have condo or chalet style accommodations with several bedrooms that can sleep 6 or more people. If you’re traveling with family or friends this can be an economical option compared to paying for several hotel rooms.

Here’s a list of some of the properties offering accommodation with a kitchenette or full kitchens.

In the town of Banff

• Fox Hotel and Suites
• Rundlestone Lodge,
• Irwin’s Mountain Inn
• Chareltons Cedar Court

Tunnel Mountain – This location is just a few minutes drive from downtown Banff and about a 20 minute walk. Many of the accommodations on Tunnel Mountain offer their guests complimentary bus passes.

• Banff Rocky Mountain Resort
• Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets
• Buffalo Mountain Lodge
• Hidden Ridge Resort
• Tunnel Mountain Resort

Banff Hostels And Budget Hotels

There’s four budget friendly hostels in Banff. The first three are within a few minutes walk from the core of downtown Banff.

• Banff International Hostel – 449 Banff Avenue. Dorms, private rooms and a guest kitchen.
• YWCA Hostel – 102 Spray Avenue. Dorms, private rooms and family rooms with kitchenettes. Café and guest kitchen.
• Samesun Backpackers – 433 Banff Avenue. Dorm rooms and a bar.
• HI Banff Alpine Center – 801 Hidden Ridge Way. 1.8 km from town. Dorms, private rooms and cabin suites, guest kitchens and a restaurant and bar. They offer guests complimentary local bus passes.

There’s far too many Banff hotels to supply a list, but any google search of “budget Banff accommodation” will bring up the options. Remember that the price of a “budget” hotel in Banff might be a lot higher than what you’re expecting. If being located right downtown is not a priority try some of the properties that skirt the edge of town. They may have cheaper rates. Do your research and read reviews. Lower cost hotels may be older properties that have not been updated for quite some time.

Canmore Accommodation Can Be An Alternative To Staying In Banff

Canmore serves as a good base to explore the Rocky Mountains. It’s a 15 minute drive east from downtown Banff. There’s more selection for lower to moderately priced accommodation in Canmore. They have a large number of vacation condos that are a good option for longer stays. Many of them are like a home away from home with a full kitchen, multiple bedrooms and in-suite laundry.

For a full comparison between the two locations see our post on Staying In Canmore Versus Banff As A Base.

Canmore might not be the best choice if you plan on doing a lot of trips back and forth heading west to places like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, the Icefields Parkway or into Yoho National Park. The extra driving can become a nuisance. If you plan on exploring east to Kananaskis Country then Canmore is the perfect base as it sits right on the back door to everything the area has to offer.

The majority of the Canmore hotels are along Bow Valley Trail. It’s a convenient location to get to downtown. There’s a large amount of vacation condos located along Kananaskis Way, a few minutes drive or a 15 minute walk to downtown. One of the cheapest options in Canmore is the Hostel Bear, don’t you just love the name. It offers dorm style and private rooms as well as a kitchen for guest use.

Accommodation And Dining In The Lake Louise Area

The amount of accommodation in Lake Louise is limited and there’s not much that fits into the budget category. During the summer months and early fall it’s extremely expensive and books up fast.

The lowest price option would be the HI Lake Louise Alpine Center. If you don’t usually stay in hostels don’t be so quick to dismiss this option. It’s situated in an attractive log cabin style building and offers some private rooms. You might be surprised that in the summer months the cost is $70 a night to stay in a shared 4 to 6 bed dorm room. Private rooms for two people are over $200 or more if you want a private bathroom.  However, this is a bargain compared to other options in Lake Louise.

The Mountaineer Lodge and the Lake Louise Inn would be the mid-range options ranging from $150 a night at the lowest demand time of November up to $500 a night in the peak summer months.

Deer Lodge is a property very close to the lake, just a few minutes walk but it is closed for the next 2 years because it is housing staff from the ski hill due to a fire at their accommodation.

The only accommodation right at Lake Louise is the Fairmont Chateau Hotel which is in the luxury category of pricing. The cheapest basic room is $300 a night in the off season of November and in the summer months expect rooms to be $1500 a night. That won’t even be what’s considered one of their high end rooms.

There’s another property in the village of Lake Louise that’s in the luxury category called the Post Hotel and Spa. Their lowest price is $350 in November and then starting at $700 a night in the summer months.

There’s only a dent of dining options in Lake Louise compared to Banff. Finding low cost places to eat can be a challenge.

Details for budget food have been covered here: Cheap Eats In Lake Louise.

The Town Of Field As An Alternative To Staying in Lake Louise

The small town of Field can be an excellent base in the Rocky Mountains. It’s situated in the center of Yoho National Park allowing easy access to explore the highlights such as Emerald Lake, the Natural Bridge and Takkakaw Falls. Consider it as a cheaper alternative to staying in Lake Louise, it’s just a 15 minute drive west. You can easily visit other areas of Banff National Park from Field, such as Moraine Lake and it has quick access to the Icefields Parkway.

Field doesn’t have a lot of amenities and it’s not the place to be if you are looking for any nightlife. There’s only a couple of places to eat and many of the accommodations are part of a house with access to a full kitchen. The town has an excellent visitor center full of information about the area and the surrounding Rocky Mountains.

Camping In the Rocky Mountains

Camping is one of the cheapest ways to stay in the parks. It’s a great option if you have your own RV or tent. Late May to mid-September is the best time to camp in the Rockies. At the early and later ends of that time frame you need to be prepared for night time and early morning temperatures that can drop below freezing. Snow is always a possibility. The rest of the year you need to be fully equipped for cold weather camping.

From July through early September make sure you have reservations for campgrounds that accept them, especially if you need full hookups for your RV. Information can be found at Parks Canada Camping Reservations.  Backcountry hiking in the parks requires the advance purchase of a wilderness pass. Backcountry campsites and shelters can be reserved up to 3 months in advance. Reservations can be made through the same camping link above.

Show up early in the day for campsites that are first come, first served. The check in time for most campgrounds is 2pm, but it’s probably best to show up around the check out time of 11 am. The campsites will start to fill up for a summer long weekend as early as Thursday night.

If you want to be close to the town of Banff the Tunnel Mountain Campground is the best option. It’s just a few minutes drive or a 15 to 20 minute walk from downtown. It’s also on the local bus route. The Two Jack Lake campground is not too far from town, with more of a wilderness feel to it.

Near the Lake Louise area the Mosquito Creek Campground is a nice option, it’s 24 kms north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93). There’s also a campground in the village of Lake Louise, but be warned if you’re a light sleeper it’s right near the train tracks.

Further up the Icefields Parkway the Wilcox Creek Campground is near the Columbia Icefields. It makes a good base for exploring that area of the park. Closer to Jasper there are the Wapiti and Whistler’s Campgrounds.

Camping equipment can be purchased at places in Calgary such as Canadian Tire or Walmart at fairly reasonable prices. MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) tends to have higher prices, but the selection is excellent. Renting camping equipment is possible through Camping Banff. There’s also a Canadian Tire in Canmore.

Renting A Recreational Vehicle In The Canadian Rockies

Renting a recreational vehicle otherwise known as an RV in the Rocky Mountains and anywhere in Canada is generally not a cheaper way to travel as it is in other parts of the world. A rental of an RV in the summer can be anywhere from $200 to $400 a night.

You need to do your research and thoroughly check what the rental includes. There can be extra charges for insurances, bedding and linens, kitchen cookware and propane. Unless you pay for extra mileage, you may be limited to 100 kms a day. That’s not a lot if you plan to explore different areas of the parks. Driving an RV from Calgary to Banff is 120 kms one way. The distance between Banff and Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is 60 to 70 kms each way. The drive from Banff to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway is over 300 km’s one way.

When you start adding on all the extra fees your rental cost can skyrocket. Don’t forget this does not include your fuel or the fees for your camping spots.

If all your looking for is a vehicle that has a bed and basic camping supplies there is a company called Wicked Campers. They have pick up and drop offs available in Calgary and Vancouver. That makes for a great option if you want to do a one way drive between the two destinations. The vans are very compact, but offer everything you need to function for around $90 to $100 per day.

Budget Priced Dining And Drink Options

Besides the accommodation in Banff your dining costs can be your next largest expense. A typical hamburger with fries can be $20 to $25 and higher. Check the daily specials at various restaurants and happy hours and food specials offered in the pubs. As with many things in Banff the word “budget” food is a relative term.

It’s not a complete list, but here are some dining options that are budget to moderately priced or offer regular specials:

Pubs

• Rose and Crown, 202 Banff Avenue – cheaper eats and drinks with a rooftop patio for the summer months and often has live music.
• St. James Gate, 207 Wolf Street – a classic Irish style pub offering hearty food.
• Tommy’s Neighbourhood Pub, 120 Banff Avenue – pub fare at a reasonable price.
• Magpie and Stump, 203 Caribou Street – Mexican/southwestern food and drinks. Check out their happy hour specials.
• Bear Street Tavern, 211 Bear Street – pizza and typical pub fare

Restaurants

• Coyote’s Deli & Grill, 206 Caribou Street – locals love having breakfast here, French toast and huevos rancheros.
• Pad Thai, 110 Banff Avenue at the backside of the Clocktower Mall – tasty Thai food at reasonable prices
• Sushi House Banff, 304 Caribou Street – sushi and dumplings delivered on a train!
• Chaya, 118 Banff Avenue – Japanese noodle and sushi dishes
• The Old Spaghetti Factory, 317 Banff Avenue on the 2^nd level of Cascade Plaza, complete pasta meals at a low price that include bread, soup or salad, ice cream and tea or coffee. The kids meals are the same and very reasonably priced.
• Ramen Arashi 2nd floor #213 Sundance Mall, 215 Banff Ave – Ramen variations and Japanese appetizers.
• Block Kitchen and Bar, 5 Banff Avenue #201 – creative tapa style menu with asian flair
• Eddie Burger Bar, 137 Banff Avenue – very popular place with creative burgers

Fast Food And Take Away

• The Food Court in the lower level of Cascade Plaza, 317 Banff Avenue has various quick food options.
• McDonald’s – 116 Banff Avenue
• Subway, 37 Banff Avenue and in the Cascade Plaza food court
• Tim Horton’s, 100 Gopher Street
• Aardvark Pizza and Sub, 304A Caribou Street– Pizza, poutine and wings. Popular late night spot. 

Café’s/Coffee Shops

The cafes and coffee shops in Banff can be of good value. In many of them you can satisfy your hunger with a sandwich or hearty soup along with the caffeinated beverage of your choice for far less than you would pay at a restaurant. In addition to chain operations like Tim Horton’s and Starbucks, Banff has several locally owned and operated cafes with in house baked breads and pastries and high quality coffee.

For an extensive list see our post on Coffee Shops and Cafes in downtown Banff.

Use Grocery Stores For Self Catering And Picnics

Preparing your own meals can save a lot of money. Skip expensive breakfasts and buffets at your hotel. Buying a couple of cheap bowls, cutlery, a knife and cutting board can go a long way. Many hotel rooms have a small fridge, stock it up with fruit and yogurt, grab a container of milk and cereal. Buy a loaf of bread or bag of buns and deli cheeses and meats to make sandwiches. If you don’t want to make your own you can still save money by purchasing pre-made sandwiches and salads available at the grocery stores. If you’re going to be out sightseeing all day you can pick up a small cooler or insulated bag and fill it with some ice to help keep things cold.

Banff Grocery Stores

Banff has two main grocery stores where you can find most items that you would in a larger city grocery store.

• Nestors – 122 Bear Street
• IGA – 318 Marten Street

The Banff Farmers Market 

The farmers market in Banff is another great place to buy produce and locally made artisan foods, baked goods and fruits and vegetables. From late May to early October, every Wednesday from 10 to 6pm. Located at 110 Bear Street, where it meets up with Buffalo Street.

Lake Louise Grocery Stores

The Village Market, 101 Village Road – Lake Louise has a small grocery market in the Samson strip mall in the village. It has most everything you need to get by in a pinch, but it’s quite expensive and there’s not a lot of variety. Produce and popular grocery items can easily run out of stock in the busy summer months and during holidays. The mall also has a small liquor store.

The Petro Canada gas station in Lake Louise sells some basic grocery items like milk, cheese, cereal and pop and snack foods. Prices tend to be a little better than the market. It’s on 100 Village Road, diagonally across the intersection from the Samson Mall.

Canmore Grocery Stores

The two main grocery stores in Canmore are Safeway and Save On Foods. They are much larger than the ones in Banff and offer more selection.

• Safeway and liquor store – #200-1200 Railway Avenue
• Save On Foods – 950 Railway Avenue

Nutters Everyday Naturals, 900 Railway Avenue – a smaller grocery store offering bulk, natural and organic foods.

Mountain Mercado, 817-8 Street. This is a gourmet market and deli, so it’s not in the budget category. However, if you want to cook yourself a fancy meal or pack a special picnic this is the place to go. It will be cheaper than eating in a fancy restaurant in Canmore or Banff.

The Canmore Mountain Market 

The Canmore Mountain Market Market offers regional and local produce, meats, jam, baked good as well as artisanal goods. It runs every Thursday from 10am to 6pm at the Elevation Place parking lot. 100-700 Railway Avenue

Calgary Grocery Stores

Almost any type of grocery item can be found in Banff and Canmore,  including some gluten free, organic and ethnic food options. Only very hard to find items may need to be sought out in Calgary. The Safeway, Save On Foods, IGA grocery store prices in Banff and Canmore are the same as in Calgary. The cheaper options in Calgary that are not available in Banff and Canmore are the big box stores that offer lower food prices like Superstore and Walmart. There’s also two Costco Warehouses, one in south Calgary and one in the north.

Buying Supplies In Calgary, Canmore And Banff

Calgary is your best bet if you are wanting to pick up any supplies such as camping gear, coolers, plates, cutlery or any other kitchenware or clothing you didn’t bring with you. There’s many sporting good stores like M.E.C. (Mountain Equipment Co-op) and places like Canadian Tire and Walmart that have camping and kitchen wares. Canmore has a Canadian Tire and and Valhalla Pure Outfitters and Banff has Monod Sports.