Banff on a Budget: A 2-Day Itinerary That Won’t Break the Bank

Banff can get pricey — no surprise there.

But if you plan smart (and I’ll show you how), you can have an incredible trip without burning through your savings.

Why listen to me?

I’m not just another “travel blogger” who visited once, hit the Banff Gondola, Lake Louise, and called it a day.

I actually live here — and I’m here to show you the best experiences beyond the obvious (and often overpriced) tourist traps.

By the end, I’ll give you a costed 2-day itinerary that’s less than $210, including food and accommodations.

Getting To Banff

If you’re within driving distance, bring your own car — no question.

If not, and you’re starting from Calgary, everyone will recommend Banff Airporter, and while it’s awesome and you should look into it, you’ve got a couple of other affordable options:

• FlixBus is by far the cheapest, with tickets as low as $17 each way and three pickup spots around the city.
  

• Poparide is like a rideshare bulletin board — if you find a driver heading to Banff, expect to pay around $20 each way for a more personal ride.

Where To Stay

Hotels and hostels aren’t cheap around here, even the “budget” ones.

If you can, come during the shoulder seasons (fall or spring) — you’ll have a better shot at snagging a deal on a room.

If you’re getting no luck shopping around hotel websites, and don't mind pitching a tent, there are several campgrounds around Banff that will help save money.

Tunnel Mountain Campground is a good option, and last time I checked, it was $42 a night in mid-August.

Sure, $42 for camping might sound steep... but it’s a bargain compared to $100+ for a hostel dorm or $300–$400 for a hostel private room.

Getting Around 

A question I see all the time is, "Do you need to rent a car in Banff?"

Would it make your trip easier? Sure.

But it’ll also cost you a lot — and honestly, if you’re only here for a couple days and planning to stay mostly in town, you don’t need one.

Our local bus service, Roam, runs several routes that can get you around Banff, and even out to Canmore or Lake Louise if you want to explore further.

They offer a few multi-day passes too, so it’s worth popping into the Visitor Centre when you get here — they'll help you figure out what makes the most sense for your plans.

Where To Eat

Just because you’re visiting Banff on a budget doesn’t mean you have to skip the good food.

Taxi Mike — a local legend around here — keeps an updated website that lists all the happy hours, specials, and discounts happening around town.
If you want to hit the best restaurants without paying full price, definitely check it out.

If you’re looking to get properly fed for cheap, The Old Spaghetti Factory is a great call.

They’ve got an “It’s All Included” section where, for around $20, you get an entree of your choice, soup or salad, fresh sourdough bread and butter, bottomless tea or coffee, and even ice cream for dessert.

It’s rustic, cozy Italian food.

It’s not going to knock your socks off — but your wallet will be happy, and you’ll leave full.

Personally, I always go for the chicken parm with spaghetti and upgrade to a French onion soup— it usually comes out to around $27. 

What To do 

There are numerous ways to make the most of Banff on a budget, or even for free.  

Hiking & Viewpoints

In the summer, Roam Transit offers a route out to Lake Minnewanka — a beautiful spot about 25 minutes from town.

It’s a great place for lakeside walks, and if you’re lucky, you might spot some local wildlife too.

If you want to stick closer to town, Tunnel Mountain and the Hoodoo Trail are two popular hikes you can start right from Banff.

Bow Falls is also nearby and worth checking out while you're in the area.

Looking for more of a challenge?

Skip the $80 gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain and hike it instead (we have a full article on how to do it).

It’ll take a good chunk of your day, but the views over Banff are absolutely worth it.

If you have a car but don’t want to hike Sulphur, you can always drive up to the Norquay Lookout.

You’ll get a similar view — just a little lower down — without the climb.

History

If you're a history buff (or just want a cheap indoor activity), check out the Banff Park Museum.

It’s the oldest natural history museum in Western Canada, and admission is only $4.50 — pretty hard to beat for the price.

For $9, you can also visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and see where it all began.

Almost 150 years ago, three railway workers stumbled upon the hot springs here — a discovery that led to the creation of Canada’s very first National Park.

Activities 

One of the easiest ways to save money in Banff?

Bring your own gear.

Whether it’s a paddleboard, a kayak, or a mountain bike, having your own equipment lets you take full advantage of the lakes, the Bow River, and the hundreds of trails — all for free.

If bringing gear isn’t an option, there are several rental shops in town (I recommend Bear Street Outfitters) that can hook you up.

And as mentioned earlier, visiting during the shoulder seasons might help you snag cheaper rental deals.

Some hotels even offer free bike rentals if you stay with them.

Charlton’s Banff, for example, lends out cruiser bikes that’ll get you pretty much anywhere you want to go around town.

Understandably, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are high on most visitors’ lists — and for good reason.

They’re iconic, and yes, they really are worth seeing.

But if you’re trying to stick to a tight budget, you might want to skip them this time.

To get to Lake Louise, the shuttle bus costs about $20 round trip per person, which adds up quickly.

Parking is cheaper — but good luck finding a spot, especially in peak season.

Moraine Lake is even trickier.

You can’t drive there yourself anymore (the road is closed to personal vehicles), so you’ll need to book a shuttle, which can cost $35 or more per person — plus any extra fees to get to the pickup point in Lake Louise or Banff.

If visiting either spot is a must for you, here’s a tip:

Check with local tour/bus companies 48 hours before you want to go. If they have spare seats, you can sometimes save up to 60% on last-minute tours.

Lastly, if you’re into arts and culture, the Banff Centre often has free events, talks, and exhibits — and even the paid ones are usually pretty affordable.

Two-Day Budget-Friendly Banff Itinerary 

Day One

Arrive Early:

Get to town early if you can.

Need fuel? Grab a coffee and a sausage egger from Downtown Sally’s — best breakfast sandwich in Banff, hands down. (Around $15 total)

Last-Minute Help:

Swing by the Visitor Centre to chat with Parks staff, pick up free maps, and grab a Roam bus pass if you need one. (Around $12 for a 3-day pass)

Choose a Hike:

For a quick trail with amazing views, hike Tunnel Mountain.

It’ll take you about 90 minutes to 2 hours roundtrip.

(If you’re feeling ambitious, swap in Sulphur Mountain for a longer, tougher climb.)

Explore the Town:

Stroll down Banff Avenue, browse the shops, and get a feel for the town.

It’s also the perfect time to grab lunch or an early dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory.

(Around $25 per person)

Go Back in Time:

Keep the legs moving with a 20-minute walk to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site — the birthplace of Canada's first national park. ($9 per person)

Frugal Doesn’t Mean Boring:

Check out Taxi Mike’s site for happy hour specials.

If you can snag a patio seat at Rose & Crown or Magpie & Stump during happy hour, you can enjoy cheap drinks and eats in the sun.

(Think $6 Coronas and half-price tacos.)

Get Some Rest:

Head back to your campsite, hostel, or hotel and get some sleep — you’ve got another big day ahead.

Day Two

Breakfast:

Check Taxi Mike’s page again for morning deals.

If you camped at Tunnel Mountain, you’re close to Cougar Pete’s at HI Hostel — affordable breakfasts and a great late-night bar if you need a plan for the evening too.

Lake Minnewanka Adventure:

Skip the crowded Lake Louise buses and head to Lake Minnewanka instead.

Hop on the #6 Roam bus, and stock up on water and snacks before you go — you can easily spend half the day hiking, paddling, or just relaxing lakeside.

(Boat rentals start at around $50 per hour if you want to get out on the water, which might sound expensive, but it’s cheap compared to the rentals at Moraine Lake, which start at $160 per hour)

Lunch:

Back in town, grab one of Peak Café’s bánh mì sandwiches — a local favorite and a steal at around $12.

Biking (Optional):

If you brought your own bike or can rent one for a couple of hours, you’ve got two great options:

• Tunnel Mountain Trails — a fun mountain biking spot for all skill levels.
  

• Golf Course Loop — a scenic 5km ride starting at Bow Falls, cruising under the shadow of Mount Rundle.
  

No Bike? No Problem:

If biking isn’t your thing, rent a canoe from the Banff Canoe Club and paddle the Bow River out toward Vermilion Lakes.

Once you’re on the open water, the views of the mountains are incredible.

Dinner:

Wrap up your trip with one last great meal.

• Takeout: Grab Korean street food from Hankki (across from Central Park) and have a picnic by the river.
  

• Sit-down: Hello Sunshine has a popular happy hour — half-price sushi and $15 ramen.
  

Bingo Bonus (If It's Thursday):

The only thing better than saving money? Making it.

If you’re still around Thursday night, head to the Banff Legion for Bingo.

Arrive around 6:30 PM — Shawn will get you set up if you’re new.

It’s $20 to play, and there’s a $1,000 jackpot up for grabs — plus cheap drinks and food.

Price Breakdown

Questions?

Drop your questions below, and I’ll be sure to answer them! 

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