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How Can You Get To Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park is one of Canada’s largest and most visited national parks, and rightfully so - but how do you get to Jasper? The park is home to plenty of wildlife, wonderful mountain views, and some of the most extensive hiking trails that Canada has to offer. Unlike the hecticness of Banff National Park, Jasper National Park is much more tranquil and relaxed.
However, the tranquility of Jasper National Park does come at a cost: it is much more difficult to get to than Banff National Park. But don’t sweat it! We will outline all of the possible, and most sensible ways for how to get to Jasper National Park and the best way to get to Jasper National Park!
If you're traveling to Jasper for a backpacking adventure, we recommend you check out the Fryatt Valley Hike.
Table of Contents
Planning Your Flights To Jasper
If you’re going to require flights to Jasper there are several things you should you know. Firstly, there is no airport in Jasper so you will have to land in one of the nearby airports. For that, you really only have two options: Edmonton or Calgary - and we encourage you to opt for Edmonton.
Edmonton International Airport
Depending on where you are flying from, Edmonton might be slightly inconvenient for you because the Edmonton airport offers few direct international flights, and will almost certainly require a layover. In this case you may want to explore flying to Calgary because it offers much more flight selections.
Calgary International Airport
It may well be worth your while to fly into Calgary and to drive to Jasper from there. Renting a vehicle from there, or taking a bus are both very viable options - the bus rides from Calgary are just too inconvenient but are fairly lengthy! Use the table below to help you plan your trip!
Getting To Jasper | Drive | Bus | Train |
|---|---|---|---|
Edmonton International | 3 hr 51 min | 5 hr | 6+ hr |
Calgary International | 4 hr 36 min | 7 hr 20 min | N/A |
As you can see, the drive from Calgary to Jasper is only roughly 40min longer, and the bus ride is roughly 2hr 20min longer - however the buses from Calgary to Jasper depart very infrequently so make sure you verify the departure times! Buses from Edmonton depart pretty regularly so you should no issues incorporating that into your travel plans.
Getting to Jasper From Edmonton
In summation, there are 4 ways that you can get to Jasper from Edmonton: Renting a car, taking a bus, taking an RV, or riding the train - let's explore!
Rental Car:
There are several rental car companies situated directly in the Edmonton International Airport. This is all too convenient! Renting a vehicle is by far the most convenient and flexible way to see all that Jasper has to offer. Plus, if you’re traveling in a group of 2 or more it’s likely the cheapest option as well.
RV Rental:
Another viable option is to rent an RV for your trip - just be sure you don’t mind sharing a tighter space with you and your traveling companions! You have the luxury of being able to travel throughout the national at your own leisure and you can possibly save on hotel. Plus, they will even meet you at the airport for an extra fee.
Bus Ride:
If you’re not planning to bring a vehicle with you, an Edmonton to Jasper bus is certainly your best option. There is only one bus company that services Jasper from Edmonton International Airport and that is Sundog Tours and Transportation Limited. Be sure you check the bus schedule before booking your flights!
Train Ride:
There is a train that also runs from Edmonton to Jasper serviced by Via Rail. While people some few people do opt for this option, the Edmonton to Jasper train is not a good option for most people. The train station is not located near the airport, so you will have to use public transit or taxi services to arrive at the station. Furthermore, the train only departs twice per week at 12:00am.
Getting To Jasper From Calgary
In summation, there are 3 ways that you can get to Jasper from Calgary: Renting a car, taking a bus, and renting an RV - if you insist on flying into Calgary, we highly encourage you to avoid the bus option.
Rental Car:
As with Edmonton, there are several car rental agencies located directly in the Calgary International Airport. However, the rental car costs are significantly higher in Calgary than Edmonton. If you're flying into Calgary, this is probably your best option - but you're still looking at a 4.5 hr drive. But don't worry - the views are fantastic!
RV Rental:
another viable option is to rent an RV for your trip - just be sure you don’t mind sharing a tighter space with you and your traveling companions!
Just be sure you book your RV campsites before you arrive, otherwise you might wind up in some overflow parking lot!
Bus Trip:
If you’re not planning to bring a vehicle with you, a bus ride from Calgary International Airport to Jasper is an option if you don’t mind a 7+ hour bus ride. Sundog Tours and Transportation Limited is your only option for this service. Be sure you check the bus schedule before booking your flights as they depart very infrequently!
The Hybrid Solution
Although this would be a rather expensive option, but if you really don’t want to make the drive to Jasper, you can always take a bus to the town and then rent a vehicle in the town. This way you have all the freedom and flexibility of having a vehicle in Jasper, but you also don’t have to worry about the hassle of getting to Jasper.
Learn more about some of our top recommended itineraries for Jasper National Park!
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Where do you fly into Jasper National Park?
You can fly into either Edmonton International Airport (YEG) or Calgary International Airport (YYC). Both of these can be viable options depending on your available flights.
Can I drive to Jasper National Park?
Is Jasper National Park Closer to Calgary or Edmonton?
How do I get to Jasper National Park without a car?
Is there public transport in Jasper?
How much is the bus from Edmonton to Jasper?
In summary, Jasper National Park is a wonderful destination - although it can be quite difficult to get to, it is an absolute must when visiting the Canadian Rockies. Leave us a comment if you need any further help making your decision!
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