How to get to Moraine Lake
You cannot drive your own car to Moraine Lake. The road has been closed to private cars since 2023 because of traffic congestion and safety, and a lift from a friend is not an exception. The ways to get there are a Moraine Lake shuttle from Lake Louise, a guided Moraine Lake tour from Banff, Calgary or Lake Louise, the public bus from Banff with a change, or a bike.
The road allows a short list of vehicles: licensed commercial vehicles, Parks Canada shuttles, registered lodge guests, staff and contractors, and emergency services. If you hold a disability parking permit, check with Parks Canada before you travel. Accessible shuttle vehicles can be requested with a normal shuttle reservation.
Ways to reach Moraine Lake
Choose by where you start.
Parks Canada shuttle from the Park and Ride
The regular shuttle leaves from the Park and Ride at Lake Louise Ski Resort, 1 Whitehorn Road, and not from Lake Louise Lakeshore. In 2026 it ran daily from 1 June to 12 October, every 30 minutes from 06:30 to 17:00, with the last return to the Park and Ride at 19:30. You reserve a one-hour check-in window. Adults paid CAD 12.75, seniors CAD 6 and people up to 17 CAD 4, plus CAD 3.50 per online reservation.
Lake Connector from Lake Louise
If you are already at Lake Louise, the Lake Connector runs between the two lakes every 30 minutes from 07:00 to 18:00, with no separate departure reservation. The last departure from Moraine Lake is at 18:00. You need the boarding pass from your shuttle check-in.
Alpine Start before sunrise
Alpine Start leaves Lake Louise Lakeshore at 04:00 and 05:00 every day in the shuttle season. Reserve by 15:00 the day before, because there are no walk-up tickets. The service has no accessible vehicles.
Sunrise guide →From Banff by public bus
There is no direct bus line from Banff in 2026. The Roam 8X runs from the Banff High School Transit Hub to Lake Louise Lakeshore, and the Lake Connector continues to Moraine Lake. The reservable Super Pass must start in Banff, needs a same-day return reservation and costs CAD 30 for adults and CAD 15 for seniors and youth aged 13 to 18, plus CAD 3 per booking.
Guided tour
Licensed commercial buses may drive to Moraine Lake and pick up in Banff, Canmore, Calgary and Lake Louise. A tour is its own product with its own return time and conditions, so do not assume a private ticket gives you a Parks Canada Connector seat.
Lodge guests
Registered guests of Moraine Lake Lodge receive access details from the lodge. Their parking is private and cannot be used by visitors or friends.
Our pick: the bus from Banff
Our take: without a car, this return bus from Banff station is the simple alternative.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours and shuttles to Moraine Lake
Day trips and shuttle-style tours from Banff, Calgary and Lake Louise, with live prices and availability.
Best way to get to Moraine Lake from where you start
2026 information. Times and fares change with the season.
| Starting point | Practical option | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Louise, with a car | Park at the Park and Ride and take the shuttle | Park and Ride is free for reserved shuttle passengers |
| Lake Louise, for sunrise | Alpine Start from Lakeshore | 04:00 or 05:00; Lakeshore parking CAD 42 per day |
| Banff or Canmore | Roam 8X plus Lake Connector, or a day tour | Super Pass starts in Banff; Canmore reaches Banff on Roam route 3 |
| Calgary | Full-day tour | No direct Roam line from Calgary |
| Lake Louise Village, on foot or by bike | 14 km road, uphill | No shoulder and regular bus traffic |
For most visitors who arrive by car, the shuttle from the Park and Ride is the practical choice. If you have no car, a day tour or the Banff Super Pass avoids the drive. A bike works only for experienced road cyclists.
Getting to Moraine Lake by bike or on foot
From Lake Louise Village the road is about 14 km one way, with a climb of 527 m and a descent of 202 m. That makes about 28 km there and back. The road has no shoulder and regular bus traffic, and there is no separate footpath. Parks Canada does not recommend walking the road. Road cycling is possible for experienced riders, and there are bike racks at the lake.
Do not count on bike storage at the Moraine Lake junction or at the Great Divide parking lot. A bike is not a winter option: the road is partly used as a ski track, and the lake itself is not accessible in winter because of avalanche danger.
Travel times and the rest of the trip
Rough guides, not shuttle timetables.
Rough travel times
Allow about 20 to 30 minutes from Lake Louise Village, 1 to 1¼ hours from Banff and 2½ to 3 hours from Calgary International Airport. These depend on the starting point and the traffic, and they are not guaranteed shuttle times.
From Calgary
Airport transfers, rental cars, long-distance buses and the road to Banff are covered in the Calgary to Banff guide. This page covers the last stage to the lake only.
Park entry
A shuttle or tour ticket does not replace the national park pass. Entry was free from 19 June to 7 September 2026 and regular fees apply again. The adult day pass was CAD 12.25. See the Banff park pass guide for the options.
Parking and park fees →Season and winter
The 2026 shuttle season ran from 1 June to 12 October. Outside it there is no regular bus access, and in winter the lake is not a normal outing. Check the dates for the next season before you plan.
Is Moraine Lake open? →
Getting to Moraine Lake: frequently asked questions
Can I drive to Moraine Lake?
No. Private cars have not been allowed on the road since 2023. The exceptions are licensed commercial vehicles, Parks Canada shuttles, registered lodge guests, staff and emergency services. If you hold a disability parking permit, check with Parks Canada before you travel.
How do I get to Moraine Lake from Banff?
Take the Roam 8X from Banff to Lake Louise Lakeshore and continue on the Lake Connector, with the Super Pass reserved in advance, or join a day tour from Banff. There is no direct Roam route to Moraine Lake in 2026.
How far is Moraine Lake from Lake Louise?
It is about 14 km one way from Lake Louise Village by road. The shuttle from the Park and Ride and the Lake Connector from the lake are the usual ways to cover it.
Can I cycle to Moraine Lake?
Experienced road cyclists can. The road climbs 527 m over about 14 km, has no shoulder and carries regular buses. Parks Canada does not recommend walking it, and the lake has bike racks.
Do I need an eTA to visit?
Visa-exempt visitors who fly to Canada generally need an eTA, which costs CAD 7 and stays valid for up to five years or until your passport expires. The rules depend on your nationality, so check the requirements before you travel.