Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in Banff National Park are natural wonders of the Canadian Rockies that are popular destinations for travellers. These are the best ways to see the lakes during the summer.
Moraine Lake is closed during winter and only opens from June through to October. Access to Lake Louise is available year-round and booking a transit is highly recommended.
Lake Louise’s website is the best resource for finding a bus, shuttle, or tour to experience the breathtaking beauty of both of these iconic lakes. Reserving a seat in advance is crucial to ensure you don’t miss out.
The simplest way to see the lakes is to be a guest at Moraine Lake Lodge or the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. If staying at other properties pre-book a transit service in advance.
- Discover Banff Tours: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake combination from CAD$140pp all departures are from Banff township
- Hop on Banff Day Pass: From 7.45am for nine hours from CA$126pp (around AU$144). Departing from the Banff townsite, stopping at Johnston Canyon, the Lake Louise Summer Gondola, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
- Radventures: Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Sunset Wildlife Adventure from CA$209pp (around AU$235), all departures are from Banff townsite.
Transfer services departing Lake Louise township & surrounds
- For guests staying in or nearby Lake Louise, approx (45 minutes away from Banff) who are not at the Chateau Lake Louise or Moraine Lake Lodge, Ten Peaks Shuttle offers shuttle tours combining both lakes or Lake Louise only from CA$75pp (around AU$84) picking up from a variety of cabins and lodges including Johnston Canyon on the Bow Valley Parkway.
- Fairview Limo shuttle services pick up from the Lake Louise Inn and Samson Mall in Lake Louise townsite, with day tours to Moraine Lake from Lake Louise from CA$35pp (around AU$39) with prices increasing depending on the time of travel and lakes of interest.
- Moraine Lake Shuttle services start at CA$33pp (around AU$37) to Lake Louise and CA$59pp (around AU$66) to Moraine Lake.
Seeing the lakes for self-drivers
- Self-drive visitors cannot drive to Moraine Lake and parking at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is limited in summer with hotel guests having priorities. The best option is to park at the Lake Louise Summer Gondola or Samson Mall and take a shuttle, which must be pre-booked to avoid disappointment. Self-drivers must also have a National Park pass pre-purchased online or at the park gate entry.
Touring companies & small group tours
- In addition to the independent options, Australian-based touring companies offer pre-built itineraries for travellers looking for all-inclusive tours that stop by the lakes for either overnight stays or day trips including APT, Travelmarvel, Scenic, Evergreen, Inspiring Vacations, Globus, Cosmos, TripADeal, or Luxury Escapes.
