Banff Travel Forum

How long does it take to drive from the town of Banff to the Columbia Icefields (where we would take the tour from)? Is it more of a half-day trip or a full day thing?

Thanks!

Banff town itself is on the Icefields Parkway

Its about 1/2 a day. It depends on how many stops you make. I can never drive through the Rockies without stopping at the viewpoints, so checking out all those tourist spots on the drive north -- like Lake Louise or Peyto Lake or Crowfoot glacier means you get to the Icefields later. Normally though, people drive from Banff to Jasper in one day, and the icefields are about half way.

Redlats - That's what I was thinking, too. I figure if we leave Banff at 9am, we should be back by 4pm. I've gone to Banff and Jasper many times, but I've still never been to the Icefields!

The Icefields Parkway is about 240 kms. long and it has a lot of places to visit: lakes, glaciers, falls..., so, it depends on how much time you have or want to spend visiting all the spots.

Check:
- Banff National Park: www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/index_E.asp;
- Jasper National Park: www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/index_E.asp
- www.canadianrockies.net/icepwy.html
- www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/visit/visit38_e.asp
www.nationalgeographic.com/destinations/Banff_National_Park/Icefields_Parkway_Drive.html

The Icefields Parkway is about 240 kms. long and it has a lot of places to visit: lakes, glaciers, falls..., so, it depends on how much time you have or want to spend visiting all the spots.

Check:
- Banff National Park: www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/index_E.asp;
- Jasper National Park: www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/index_E.asp
- www.canadianrockies.net/icepwy.html
- www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/visit/visit38_e.asp
www.nationalgeographic.com/destinations/Banff_National_Park/Icefields_Parkway_Drive.html

And also check:

- Brewster: www.brewster.ca
- Columbia Icefield: www.columbiaicefield.com
- Banff:: www.banff.ca
- Jasper: www.visit-jasper.com
- www.discoverjasper.com/TravelEssentials/TownCityInformation
- Lake Louise: www.banfflakelouise.com
www.discoverlakelouise.com
- Banff Gondola: www.banffgondola.com

Lake Maligne Canyon: www.malignecanyon.com/tour.html
www.explorejasper.com/sights/malignecanyon.htm
Lake Maligne: www.malignelake.com
Lake Maligne-Cruceros: www.malignelake.com/cruises.html
Jasper Tramway: www.jaspertramway.com

I'm staying in Banff and just want to make a day trip to the columbia Icefields. I was just asking how much time I should plan for it.

I recommend the full day

Karlie, Leaving Banff, driving to the Icefields and back by 4pm makes sense. Gives you time for the tour and some sight seeing as well.

I would not drive Banff - Iceflelds - Icefields tour - Jasper - Banff in one day. Would be exhausting.

How was your Europe trip? Were the soccer games you saw great? I see you are back, so obviously, the airplanes made it in one piece. I will have to check out your new pages.

The Town of Banff is not on the Icefields Parkway, it is just off the Trans Canada Highway.

I would give it a full day if you want to do the tour. I would say it's a 2 hour drive from Banff.

maybe 2 1/2 hours :o)

Yes, I apologize, you are right, the place that is on the IP is L Louise (but Banff is close anyway.

Distances:

- Banff town-Lake Louise: 59 kms.
- Lake Louise-Columbia icefields: 126 kms.
- Lake Louise-Jasper town (the whole Icefields Parkway: 230 kms.)

I mixed Icefields Parkway and Columbia Icefields, sorry for that.

Actually, Lake Louise is not on the Icefields Parkway, it is off the Trans Canada Highway as well. The turn-off for the Icefields Parkway is close by Lake Louise, perhaps a 10 minute drive.

Obviously you know much better than me, I just follow the web www.icefieldsparkway.ca

Hi I think 2 to 2.5 hours depending whether you stop or drive fast. We left Banff about 9:30 , went on tour of the Columbia /Athabasca glacier and then had lunch in the tourist centre and then drove onto Jasper arriving around 4:30pm

The icefield tour is excellent and well worth the $30 od dollar charge

Good Luck,
Mike