How to get to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are the jewels of the Rockies and they are the number one place that travelers to the area are visiting (which means - yes, there will be crowds in the busy season!!). Please note, while you can visit Lake Louise all year round, you will only be able to access Moraine Lake from June 1 to mid-October. Moraine Lake is not accessible during the winter months because the access road crosses avalanche terrain. We are putting this info right at the top of this page as we've met many visitors who had no idea that they would not be able to get to Moraine Lake during their shoulder season or winter visit!
During this time, Lake Louise and the other lakes are visitable, but it's important to point out that they are frozen - they are snowy and white. Those beautiful emerald and blue colours that are showcased in photographs are not present between mid-November and beginning of June. We still recommend visiting Emerald, Louise, and Peyto in the winter months for a Winter Wonderland experience. They are still majestic, but in a different way. You can even skate on Lake Louise!
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In the summer months, there are many different ways of getting to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise; so if you want to go, you can go! The only questions are how much will it cost you and what it will look like. The options range from government-subsidized transit to private companies.
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We’ve listed several options below:
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The cheapest option to visit Moraine Lake and Lake Louise will be by taking the Parks Canada shuttle. Tickets for these shuttles go on sale early in the year, so if you know the dates of your trip, book a shuttle in advance! Parks Canada will also release a small portion of shuttle tickets 48 hours in advance throughout the season. At 8am each day, they will release tickets for two days in advance (i.e. on a Tuesday at 8am you can buy tickets for Thursday, on a Wednesday at 8am, you can buy tickets for Friday, etc.). These tickets go incredibly fast, within minutes, so it’s best to have a back-up plan. Departures on the Parks Canada shuttle will go from the Lake Louise ski resort. You will need to drive to the Lake Louise ski resort and park your car there (parking is free once you have the Banff National Park Pass).
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The public transit bus ROAM is the next cheapest option. If you purchase the Super Day Pass on the 8x to Lake Louise, you will be able to get from Banff to Lake Louise AND take a connector bus from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake. This bus departs from the town of Banff and is the best option for those who are staying in Banff and not renting a car during their stay. You will need to book your departure time from the town of Banff as well as your departure time from Lake Louise back to Banff. These tickets also sell out during summer months. There are same-day tickets, but you are not able to reserve a time to return from Lake Louise, so you could be waiting until one of the later buses in the day when there's room. We recommend leaving plenty of time if you are wishing to hike or see both lakes as you will have to factor in time in queues and transit time between the lakes as well.
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If you are able to drive to the Lake Louise park and ride, then we recommend joining the Moraine Lake Bus Company to get to the lakes. This company treats their customers (and their staff!) exceptionally well and there will be no line-ups as there are with the Parks Canada Shuttles. They also offer the Moraine Lake sunrise shuttle. Book in with them here!
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If you’d like to go to the lakes from the town of Canmore or the town of Banff, Into the Wild tours offers a really nice experience. They will pick you up in either Canmore or Banff and take you to both Louise and Moraine. You will get 2 hours at each lake and the driver will provide some local information along the way. They also include beverages and chocolate (and blankets/headlamps for their sunrise tours!). There's a maximum of 13 people on each tour so it feels like a private tour. Leave the driving and logistics and stress to Into the Wild – book your spot!
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If you are a fan of a full-day tour to see all of the highlights and/or only have one day to do it, the 'Mountains, Lakes, and Waterfalls tour' with Pursuit might be your best bet. This tour takes place on a 50-seat, air-conditioned bus and stops at Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, the Natural Bridge, and Takkakkaw Falls. Lunch at Emerald Lake Lodge is also included. The tour will provide great local information and history as well – you’ll be in really good hands. Book here! ​
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