Alberta
Alberta is a western Canadian province with the Canadian Rockies along its west edge, home to Banff and Jasper national parks, plus the cities of Calgary and Edmonton.
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Alberta sits between British Columbia to the west and Saskatchewan to the east, with the Northwest Territories to the north and Montana to the south. The Canadian Rockies run along its western edge, and Banff and Jasper national parks sit inside them. The Icefields Parkway links the two parks and passes glaciers and Lake Louise. Edmonton, the provincial capital, is in the north-central part of the province. Calgary sits at the foot of the mountains in the south.
The mountains are the main draw, with hiking, wildlife and scenic drives from late spring to early fall, and skiing in winter. Calgary hosts the Calgary Stampede, a rodeo and festival held every July. East of Calgary, the badlands around Drumheller have dinosaur fossils and the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Plan at least a week, since the parks alone can take several days.
Alberta in five
- Get an eTA before you flyMost visitors from visa-exempt countries need an eTA to fly into Calgary or Edmonton. US citizens do not need one. Apply on the official Canadian government site, not a third-party form.Visas and entry
- Buy a Parks Canada pass for Banff and JasperEvery vehicle entering Banff or Jasper national park needs a valid Parks Canada pass, daily or annual. Buy it before you reach the park gate.Banff National Park
- Rent a car for the mountain roadsCalgary to Banff is about 1.5 hours by car, and Banff to Jasper by the Icefields Parkway is about 4.5 hours without stops. Public transport between the parks is limited, so a car gives you access to the trailheads.Getting around
- Buy bear spray in CanadaGrizzly and black bears live along mountain trails. Bear spray is an aerosol and cannot go in carry-on bags on flights. Buy it locally in Banff, Canmore or Jasper and learn how to use it.
- Set up an eSIM and download offline mapsMobile signal is patchy on park roads and in the valleys. Set up your eSIM before you leave home and download offline maps for the Banff and Jasper roads.Phones and eSIM
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Alberta, the full guide
Calgary
- Best for: City stops and the drive to Banff
- Price band: $$
- Stephen Avenue shops and restaurants
- Peace Bridge over the Bow River
- Hotels a short walk from the core
Skip if you want a mountain town base.
Edmonton
Edmonton is Alberta's capital, known for its river valley parks, year-round festivals and Fort Edmonton Park, Canada's largest living history museum.
Banff National Park
Lakes, glaciers and peaks in Alberta's Rocky Mountains, with the Icefields Parkway running about 230 km north from Lake Louise to Jasper.
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is a mountain lake and village in Banff National Park, Alberta, about 180 km west of Calgary.
Things to do in Alberta
See all attractions in Alberta
Need to know
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD)
- Entry
- eTA needed by most visa-exempt visitors; US citizens do not need one Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected at restaurants, 15 to 20%
- Time
- Mountain Time, UTC-7; UTC-6 in summer when daylight saving applies
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, chinooks
- MarchSnowmelt, mixed
- AprilThaw, spring
- MayGreen, long days
- JuneLong days
- JulyStampede, busy
- AugustWarm, busy
- SeptemberAutumn, quieter
- OctoberGolden, cool
- NovemberCold, quiet
- DecemberFestive, cold
Right now in Alberta
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
-2
- Feels like
- -6°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 4%
Alberta
01:52 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today8°-4°4%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed7°-3°3%Wednesday: Fog. High 7°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu4°-4°2%Thursday: Clear. High 4°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri5°-4°26%Friday: Drizzle. High 5°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Sat5°-4°6%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 5°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sun5°-3°10%Sunday: Cloudy. High 5°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 10%.
Updated 11:41 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.398 CAD
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Lake Louiseabout 40 min by car from BanffGlacier-fed lake and the Plain of Six Glaciers trail.Read the guide
- Calgaryabout 1.5 hours by car from BanffStephen Avenue, the Peace Bridge and the Stampede in July.Read the guide
- Jasperabout 4.5 hours by car from BanffAthabasca Falls and Maligne Canyon. Better as an overnight.Read the guide
Before you go to Alberta
All Alberta guides
Plan around Alberta
Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Banff townsite
Read the guideJasper National ParkAthabasca Falls, Maligne Canyon and the Icefields Parkway
Read the guideBanff & Jasper National ParksHow the two parks link, and the route between them
Read the guideCalgaryThe airport gateway, Stephen Avenue and the Peace Bridge
Read the guideEdmontonAlberta's capital, the Legislature and the river valley
Read the guideGetting around AlbertaCar hire, the Calgary to Banff drive and park transport
Read the guideAlberta FAQ
Do you need a car in Alberta?
For Banff, Jasper and the Icefields Parkway, yes, since the trailheads and lakes are spread out. Calgary and Edmonton city centres can be done without one, using transit and taxis.
Can you visit Banff from Calgary without a car?
Yes, on a booked tour. The drive is about 1.5 hours each way, and a car gives you more time at the lakes and trailheads.
How many days do you need in Banff and Jasper?
Four to five days covers Banff, Lake Louise and a day on the Icefields Parkway toward Jasper. Add a night in Jasper if you want Maligne Canyon and its dark skies.
What is the best month to visit Alberta?
June to September for open trails and long days. July and August are the busiest. May and October are quieter, but some mountain facilities close for the season.
Is Banff or Jasper better?
Banff has more shops, restaurants and easy lake walks. Jasper is quieter and has dark skies. Choose Banff for a first trip, and Jasper if you want fewer crowds.
Is Edmonton worth visiting?
Yes, for a day or two, to see Alberta's capital and the Legislature building. It is a city stop, not a mountain stop, so pair it with Calgary or Jasper.