Banff Vs Lake Louise – Where Should You Stay? + Pros & Cons!

When it comes to planning your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Banff National Park, deciding where to base yourself is key. Should you stay in Banff or Lake Louise?

There are so many things to do in Banff National Park, and choosing where to stay will make a big difference when planning your Banff itinerary.

I have stayed in both Lake Louise and Banff on several trips to the Canadian Rockies, and I often split my time between the two. But if you are not into the idea of switching hotels during your stay, then this post compares the pros and cons of staying in Banff vs Lake Louise.

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at these two towns and help you decide which one is right for you.

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Staying in Banff over Lake Louise

Pros of staying in Banff

• Bigger selection of hotels in Banff: There are way more hotel options in Banff than in Lake Louise so you can often find something that suits your needs. It’s also easier to find a hotel in Banff if you are booking close to your trip dates because there’s a larger inventory.

• Hotels in Banff are more affordable: Because there is a larger choice of hotels in Banff, they tend to be cheaper! There is more competition and therefore you can save some money on accommodation by staying in Banff. I once paid a total of $395 CAD for a 3 night stay in Banff – this was in 2022. I’m not sure how I managed to find a rate so low but they do happen once in a while!

• Banff has more restaurants: Most hotels in Banff National Park have their own restaurants onsite, but sometimes it’s nice to get away and try something new! Banff has so many more restaurants than Lake Louise, and there’s just about any kind of restaurant here. You can find Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, and casual pubs!

• Banff has a better public transit system: The Roam transit system makes it easy to get around if you are visiting Banff without a car. The Banff High School is where the majority of bus routes start, which is a central location that you can easily get to from almost any hotel. Although the Roam system does provide a direct route to and from Lake Louise, there are no other routes that leave from Lake Louise town. So if you wanted to take the bus to Johnston Canyon, you’d have to first get the bus into Banff.

• Banff is more pedestrian friendly: The main street in Banff is Banff Avenue, and this street now gets closed to vehicle traffic (other than public transit) to make it more pedestrian friendly. There are also numerous attractions that you can get to in Banff on foot – such as Bow Falls and the Cascade of Time Garden.

• Shopping is much better in Banff: Just like the variety of restaurants, Banff also has much better shopping. I find it hard not to get sucked into the souvenir and gift shops when I’m in Banff. My personal favourite stores at the Big Bear Trading Co. and the Roots store which sells Banff themed t-shirts and sweatshirts.

• There are more seasonal events in Banff: Overall Banff is much livelier with many events happening throughout the year. In November there is a Craft Beer Festival, a Christmas Market in December, and the Banff Marathon in June.

Cons of staying in Banff

• Higher tourist traffic and crowds: As the more popular town, Banff can get quite crowded during peak season which may not appeal if you want a quieter getaway. Banff town can handle higher volumes of traffic than Lake Louise, and with more hotels in the area it’s expected that you’ll be greeted with crowds.

• Lake Louise & Moraine Lake are further away: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are undoubtedly the best attractions in Banff National Park – you cannot visit without seeing them both. But getting there does require more time. Getting to Lake Louise itself from Banff is around 45-50 minutes one way. This also makes it more difficult if you want to watch the sunrise at Lake Louise as you need to leave a lot earlier.

• There is much more vehicle traffic in Banff: With more people in Banff, this means more vehicles. Now that the road through Banff Avenue is closed to vehicles this means the area surrounding Banff Avenue has higher traffic. On busy weekends it can be hard to get around town in a car.

Related Post: Revelstoke to Banff Road Trip – 15 Amazing Stops!

Where To Stay In Banff

Banff Springs Hotel

I have yet to stay at this Fairmont (hopefully soon!) but I have explore the public areas of the hotel and it just makes me want to stay here even more! If you want the ultimate luxury experience in Banff, this is it. The Banff Springs Hotel is an attraction in its own right, being referred to as “The Castle in the Rockies” – it’s simply stunning!

Banff Park Lodge

The Banff Park Lodge is a moderate hotel in Banff, but it has the absolute BEST location! You can’t get more central than this. The hotel is steps from Banff Avenue with lots of nearby coffee shops and restaurants. I loved my stay here, the rooms were so big and we had the convenience of the having the free Banff Gondola shuttle stop right outside the hotel.

Moose Hotel & Suites

The Moose Hotel & Suites is a step up from the Banff Park Lodge – this hotel is pretty popular in Banff, located on the quieter end of Banff Avenue. The hotel features pet-friendly rooms, a rooftop pool and hot tub and a fitness centre!

Overview: Banff vs Lake Louise Comparison

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Staying in Lake Louise over Banff

Pros of staying in Lake Louise

• Lake Louise is much quieter: One of the things I love about the town of Lake Louise is how peaceful it is. The crowds usually form from 8am and disperse in the afternoon around 4/5pm. So between these hours Lake Louise is fairly quiet with little to no traffic – especially in the evenings.

• Lake Louise is less touristy: What do I mean by less touristy? You won’t see stores selling shirts that say “I went to Banff and all I got was this lousy t-shirt” (sorry but some of the shops in Banff are so tacky) I feel that Lake Louise is more authentic and is much classier than Banff.

• Getting to Lake Louise is much easier: Getting to Lake Louise is much easier if you are staying in the town of Lake Louise. Choosing to stay in Lake Louise is great is you want to watch the sunrise over the lake during your visit. I have stayed at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Deer Lodge, Mountaineer Lodge and the HI Hostel in Lake Louise. I could walk to Lake Louise from the Deer Lodge and Fairmont Chateau which was great for getting ahead of the crowds.

• Closer to the Icefields Parkway: The Icefields Parkway is an absolute must when you plan your Banff itinerary, even if you just drive halfway. Setting out on the parkway early in the morning is the best way to experience it, and staying in Lake Louise makes this way easier. Getting to see highlights like Peyto Lake or Bow Lake first thing in the morning before crowds arrive is amazing!

• Close to Yoho National Park: If you love Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, then you’ll also want to visit Emerald Lake, one of the best things to see in Yoho National Park. Although located in British Columbia, Emerald Lake is actually closer to Lake Louise than Banff town is. A 30-minute drive will bring you to this amazing glacier-fed lake.

Cons of staying in Lake Louise

• Less choice of Hotels: There is less choice of hotels in Lake Louise, but considering how small the town is I’d say there’s a great selection. The one thing I do love about Lake Louise over Banff is that the HI hostel is in a fantastic location right in the middle of town, its Banff counterpart is a quite a ways outside of town. So despite there being less choice, the options for budget are still quite varied.

• Hotels are more expensive: Staying in Lake Louise is definitely a luxury due its location, so be prepared to pay extra for it! The demand vs supply is high in Lake Louise and as a result hotels are more expensive compared to Banff. However, my stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise was an experience that simply cannot be matched!

• Hotels book out far in advance: The two previous points also mean hotels in Lake Louise book out faster than Banff. People want to be close to the action and want ease of getting to Banff’s biggest attractions, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. So you’ll find that the closer to your trip, the less choice of hotels you’ll have. This is why I recommend booking hotels way in advance through booking.com as it’s usually free cancellation.

• Not as many restaurant options: In comparison to Banff, Lake Louise has very few dining options. Many of the hotels have their own restaurants, but when it is busy, they will reserve for hotel guests first. My favourite restaurant in Lake Louise is the Timberwolf inside the Lake Louise Inn – their wood-fired pizzas are amazing!

• Minimal Shopping: Unlike Banff, Lake Louise has almost zero shops. There is one at Samson’s Mall and then a couple inside the Fairmont Chateau which I really like, but besides this there isn’t much to shop for in Lake Louise. So if shopping is a big part of your vacation, you may be disappointed in the lack of options in Lake Louise.

• No public transit options: As previously mentioned, the main transit hub is Banff High School. If you do not have access to a car, Lake Louise is not a great option. There is only one route that leave from Lake Louise that is the #8 route which goes directly to Banff. You cannot get a bus from Lake Louise to other major attractions, such as Banff Gondola, Johnston Canyon, or Lake Minnewanka.

Related Post: Lake Louise Gondola vs Banff Gondola – 2024 Comparison guide

Where To Stay In Lake Louise

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is by far the best hotel I have ever stayed at in Banff (and probably the whole of Canada!). This is the most expensive hotel in Lake Louise, but it will not disappoint. I stayed in a Lakeview room and I would highly recommend it – getting to wake up every day with a view of the lake is something you will never forget. The hotel as a whole is luxury, from the moment you check in. I have a full review of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise which you can check out for more information.

Mountaineer Lodge

I have also stayed at the Mountaineer Lodge, which is a moderate hotel in the Lake Louise area. This hotel was great for a more affordable option. The rooms here are very spacious and incredibly clean. The hotel includes free parking, complimentary breakfast and an indoor hot tub.

Lake Louise Inn

I have been to the Lake Louise Inn many times for dinner, but have yet to stay here. The hotel lobby is incredibly inviting, and the hotel itself backs onto a wilderness area with trees and areas to sit by a fire pit. There is also an indoor pool and hot tub.

Overview: Lake Louise vs Banff Comparison

How far is Lake Louise from Banff?

Banff and Lake Louise are approximately 57 kilometres (35 miles) apart, with a drive time of roughly 45 to 50 minutes along the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). You can also choose to go via the Bow Valley Parkway, which is a much more scenic route, but the speed limit is lower meaning it will take you longer to get between the two.

Should you split your stay between Banff and Lake Louise?

On my first trip to Banff I split my time between Banff and Lake Louise as I had a ton of activities planned and some early morning hikes. The Lake Louise area is amazing for hiking, and I like to get out early so staying in Lake Louise was perfect for getting on the trails before the crowds started.

If you can make it work, splitting your time between Lake Louise and Banff is what I would recommend. The two towns are so different but you also get a mix of liveliness and quietness.

This is the best way to maximize your time because you can eliminate the 45-minute drive between the two. It is easy to spend an entire day in Lake Louise, and an entire day in Moraine Lake.

Believe me when I say there are SO many things to do in Banff. If I were to spend 4 days in Banff, I would split my time with 2 days in Lake Louise and 2 in Banff. Or if you have more time, a 5 day trip with 3 days in Banff and 2 in Lake Louise. Then you can combine a trip to Banff and Jasper via the Icefields Parkway.

Banff vs Lake Louise: Final Thoughts

If this is your first trip to Banff, and you are not into the idea of splitting your stay – I would recommend staying in Banff over Lake Louise. There are a few reasons for this. First of all you are way more options for accommodation, as well as budgets! But you have access to more pedestrian areas, nightlife, shopping, and restaurants.

Although I love the tranquility of Lake Louise, Banff is so much more convenient. There are multiple grocery stores, as a result prices are usually cheaper than Lake Louise. There’s also free parking at the Banff Train Station. You also have the main Roam Transit hub at the Banff High School, so you can easily get around without a car.