Banff · Backpacking
ON A BUDGET
A national park with hostels, a cheap local bus and a park pass instead of a hotel bill.
Tunnel Mountain hostels
The HI Alpine Centre and Samesun both sit within reach of Banff Avenue, and the Tunnel Mountain campgrounds are a short walk further. Lake Louise has a second HI hostel.
What a day costs
Roughly CAD 120–190 a day, about US$90–140: hostel bed CAD 50–75, food CAD 40–60, plus the daily park pass at around CAD 11 a person.
Park pass maths
A day pass runs about CAD 11 an adult; the annual Discovery Pass costs roughly seven days' worth and covers every national park in Canada. Buy it if staying a week.
Roam Transit and shuttles
Roam buses run cheaply around town and out to Lake Minnewanka, Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise. Moraine Lake Road is closed to private cars — shuttle or bus only.
Free by day
Bow Falls, the Fenland loop, Cascade Ponds and the Vermilion Lakes boardwalk at sunrise, where the mountain reflection does its work for nothing.