Hotels, travel and getting around Banff

Excited about attending BANFF? We’ve got some awesome deals for you, but you must be registered for the event before you can book hotel rooms and airport shuttles with our discounted rates. All details are shared in your registration email when you book your pass.

Scroll the page or click below - jump to specifics on:

• Closest airport to Banff
• International travel documents
• Partner hotels + how to book accommodation
• Ground transportation from Calgary Int’l Airport
• BANFF 2024 Festival Shuttle
• Getting around the town of Banff
• Health & safety

FESTIVAL SHUTTLE LIVE GPS TRACKER
(to be updated daily)

TRAVELING TO BANFF, ALBERTA

The closest international airport to Banff is in Calgary (YYC). It is about a 90-minute drive from the Calgary International Airport to Banff. Flights from across Canada and around the world connect Calgary and Banff with travelers globally. More information

Click here for more information on airport shuttle services and BANFF delegate deals.

International traveller? See details below on required documents for traveling to Canada.

Visa-required travellers:

The Government of Canada requires a valid entry visa from those travelling from certain countries. Please refer to the entry requirements by country or territory page before booking your travel.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA):

The Government of Canada requires visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to, or transit through a Canadian airport, to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travelers with a valid Canadian visa. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents cannot apply for an eTA. For more information or to find out if you need an eTA, go to the Government of Canada’s website.

HOTELS

Festival venue:

VENUE FLOORPLAN

Booking Accommodations

Accommodation at the Festival venue - the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - and in the town of Banff overall - is limited and sells out early every year. We encourage delegates to check out the array of local options at our partner hotels below and book accommodation BEFORE March. A Festival shuttle makes regular drop offs and pickups to bring delegates to and from the Rimrock Hotel, the Banff Centre and downtown to the Fairmont Banff Springs. The majority of the hotel options below are also just a short (and incredibly beautiful) distance from the Festival venue.

Once you have registered for the 2024 Banff World Media Festival, you will receive a confirmation email with access links to our exclusive discounted rates at the Fairmont Banff Springs, The Rimrock and all of our lodging partners listed below. Register early, so you don’t miss out!

PLEASE NOTE: Banff World Media Festival delegates staying at the Fairmont Banff Springs will be subject to a non-refundable fee of one night’s room and tax on 90 days prior to the date of arrival. Reservations made within 90 days of arrival will automatically be subject to this fee. The full stay room and tax will be a non-refundable charge to the delegate’s credit card 30 days prior to the date of arrival. There are no cancellations or stay reductions allowed within 30 days of arrival.

Our room blocks will sell out early and are for REGISTERED attendees only. Guest room reservations must be made under the registered delegate name. Reservations made under our room blocks that do not coincide with our registered delegate list will be canceled.

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Your office view for the week.

The event home-base is the gorgeous Fairmont Banff Springs, also known as the "Castle in the Rockies.” The Fairmont Banff Springs boasts a variety of amenities including world-class golfing, an unparalleled spa and exquisite dining.

THE RIMROCK RESORT HOTEL

Also a Fairmont property, the Rimrock Resort Hotel is located on Sulphur Mountain in the Banff Upper Hot Springs and the Banff Gondola, a 5-minute drive from the Festival venue and downtown Banff. The hotel boasts a world-class spa, luxury dining and some of the most incredible views in the area.

Delegates staying in the discounted Festival room block at the Rimrock Resort Hotel will be subject to a non-refundable deposit of one night's room and tax at the time of booking. The remainder of the full stay room and tax will be a non-refundable charge to the delegate's credit card 30 days prior to the date of arrival. There are no cancellations or stay reductions allowed within 30 days of arrival.

ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION PARTNERS:

BANFF LODGING COMPANY
Registered festival delegates will receive a promo code for access to a discount on best available rates at the below Banff Lodging Company locations.

• BANFF PTARMIGAN INN
• FOX HOTEL & SUITES
• HIDDEN RIDGE RESORT
• THE DOROTHY MOTEL
• MOOSE HOTELS & SUITES
• TUNNEL MOUNTAIN RESORT
• RUNDLESTONE LODGE
• ROCKY MOUNTAIN RESORT

JUNIPER HOTEL
Registered Festival delegates will receive a promo code for access to a 10% discount applicable to bookings made June 8th - 12th, 2024.

AIRPORT SHUTTLES FROM CALGARY TO BANFF

Sit back and relax! Let Banff Airporter take care of your transportation needs between Calgary International Airport and Banff. The nearest airport is the Calgary International Airport.With many departures daily, wait times are minimal. Banff Airporter will track your flight and adjust your reservation should you experience any delays. Best of all, you’ll be dropped off and picked up right at your hotel of choice once you arrive in Banff.

All registered delegates will receive an email with information on how to receive a discount when booking their shuttle.

Around-Town Shuttle

A daily Festival shuttle will be available in and around the Banff area to ensure daily commute to/from the venue. Please refer to the schedule and pick-up locations below.

Hours of operation:
Sunday, June 9th | 7 AM - 12 PM, 4 PM - 8 PM
Monday, June 10th | 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Tuesday, June 11th | 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Wednesday, June 12th | 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Every hour, pick up will be at these locations:
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity | at :00
Mount Royal Hotel parking lot | at :10
Rimrock Resort | at :25
Fairmont Banff Springs | at :45
& Return to Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity for the start of the next loop.

FESTIVAL SHUTTLE LIVE GPS TRACKER
(to be updated daily)

There will be an additional shuttle from the Rimrock Resort to the Fairmont Banff Springs, departing from the Rimrock at :10 and :40, and departing from the Fairmont at :20 and :50, with an additional stop at Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum at :30 and :00.

Roam Transit
Roam Transit bus routes are also available to take you to/from the Festival and around the town of Banff. Please refer to the schedules here.

Parking at the Fairmont Banff Springs

The hotel’s parking charges are $3.00 per hour for day-time parking, and $25.00 per day for overnight self-parking and $39.00 per day for overnight valet parking. These rates are subject to change without notice. In addition, for the Festival, discounted parking on the soccer field adjacent to the hotel is available for BANFF attendees at $15 per day.

Taxis

Banff Transportation Group

Taxi Mike

Banff Sedan

Bus Info

Roam Transit

Bike Rental

Banff Cycle

Health & safety protocols on site:

The health and safety of our community is a top priority for us. We will continue to follow the lead of the Canadian Government and the World Health Organization and the relevant Alberta provincial government authorities for planning onsite health and safety protocols.

Please note that our health and safety policy is subject to change, and we reserve the right to modify our requirements for admission to BANFF 2024 without liability.

Protocols will include:

• Providing ample touch-free hand-sanitizing stations throughout the venue
• Ensuring high cleanliness standards within all meeting rooms
• Encouraging delegates to feel free to wear a mask in indoor event spaces if they so choose.

Our policies exist in order to help ensure the health and safety of all delegates, staff and volunteers. Please adhere to all signage and directions. Should you have any questions regarding health and safety at the Banff World Media Festival, please email customersupport@banffmediafestival.com.

Local wildlife:

All visitors to the Town of Banff need to be aware of the presence of bears, elk and other wildlife in the area. Please review useful resources from Parks Canada and the Town of Banff for tips, rules and regulations for keeping yourself safe and behaving responsibly around wildlife.