Is the Banff Gondola Worth It? Epic Views for Photographers (2026)

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Is the Banff Gondola worth it? If you’re planning a trip to Banff and wondering whether it’s worth spending $90 on a ticket, you’re not alone. The Banff Gondola is one of the most popular attractions in Banff National Park, but with so many other incredible viewpoints and hikes nearby, it’s fair to question whether it lives up to the hype.

I’ve been to Banff multiple times, hiked scenic trails like the Beehive Hike and seen some of the best views that the Rockies has to offer. But after finally riding the Banff Gondola on my latest trip, I found myself questioning why didn’t I do this sooner?

So yes, I would 100% say the Banff Gondola is worth it but you do need to be prepared for a few things such as the crowds. If you are looking for a gondola experience with less crowds and a more wilder feel, I would opt for the Banff Sunshine Village Gondola, which takes you up into the mountains where you can then do a hike where you get to miss a lot of the brutal climb.

Here is my honest review about what I loved about the Banff Gondola (and didn’t love), how it compares to other gondolas like Sunshine Village Gondola and Mount Norquay and reasons why you should add it to your Banff itinerary.

I’ll also include the gondola’s latest ticket costs, best times to go, food options and things to do at the top.

girl walking on the Banff Gondola Boardwalk

Banff Gondola in a Snapshot

Don’t have time to read the entire guide? Here are some quick links and tips.

Cost: $74-94 (get tickets here) – prices depend on the time of the year and day of the week
Time needed: 2–3 hours
Highlights: panoramic views, hiking trail, observation deck & patio
Best for: Families, casual hikers, photographers
Not ideal for: Budget travellers

Is the Banff Gondola Worth it

Table of Contents

My honest opinion

Personally, I loved the Banff Gondola and would recommend it to anyone going to Banff who wants to see some incredible mountain views without having to hike and who doesn’t mind spending a bit of money on a worthwhile experience.

Planning to ride the Banff Gondola?

The Banff Gondola is one of the most popular activities in the Rockies and tickets regularly sell out in high season. Book ahead to secure your spot and avoid missing out!
👉 Check availability and book now

However, don’t stress if you do end up skipping the gondola because there is SO much more to do in Banff. See my recommendations for an unforgettable 2 day Banff itinerary.

When you book, you get allocated a 2 hour time slot but my friend and I didn’t realise this until we looked at our return tickets (we were up there for a few hours taking photos lol). The people running the gondola didn’t mind at all so I don’t think it’s a strict timeframe if you do want to spend a little longer up there.

My parents actually also went up the Banff Gondola when they visited Banff for the first time a couple of years ago and they still talk about how much they loved it. They are big fans of gondolas with cafes up the top so that you can enjoy some food and drinks while taking in an amazing view.

The hike from the top of gondola is only about 2km and there are plenty of viewpoints along the way to stop at. In a nutshell, I feel that the Banff Gondola is the perfect mix of touristy relaxed vibes with a sprinkle of outdoorsy adventure.

Make sure you bring along a small backpack with water and snacks, some money and some layers in case it is cold at the top. A fleece similar to the Patagonia Los Gatos couple with a windbreaker would be perfect for Summer. If you are going in any other season, I would add a puffer jacket and obviously extra Winter clothing for Winter trips.

Girl looking out at the view from the Banff Gondola

girl looking at camera and smiling with the view from the Banff Gondola in the background

Who the Banff Gondola is worth it for (and who it’s not)

If you are super adventurous, I would say stick to the trails and skip the Banff Gondola and hit one of Banff’s epic trails instead like Tent Ridge or the Beehive Hike. However, if you are adventurous but need a rest day in between big hikes like me, the Banff Gondola is the perfect choice. I did it in between a backpacking trip in the Bugaboos and an overnight hike at Egypt Lake.

The Banff Gondola is perfect for:

Families with kids who might not be up for hiking
First-time visitors to Banff who want a dramatic introduction to the Canadian Rockies without a big hike.
Photographers and content creators looking for panoramic views, golden hour shots, or snow-capped peaks without hiking for hours.
Travelers short on time who still want that epic mountaintop moment.
Winter adventurers because yes, the views are just as magical (and less crowded) in winter. I can’t wait to revisit! Here’s everything else I loved doing in Banff in Winter.

It might not be worth it for:

Travelers on a budget
Hardcore hikers who prefer earning their views with a summit hike like Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass or Sulphur Mountain via the gondola trail.
Anyone hoping to get away from the crowds – the top of the gondola can be crowded and touristy, especially in peak season.
People afraid of heights or enclosed gondolas – it’s a smooth ride but you will be very high off the ground.
Those traveling with dogs – unfortunately dogs aren’t allowed on the Banff Gondola.

Think the Banff Gondola is for you?

Spots fill up quickly, especially during summer and fall. Check availability and lock in your tickets here so you don’t miss out on those jaw-dropping views.

girl standing on the deck at the Banff Gondola l;ooking out at the view

How to Book & Ticket Prices

The Banff Gondola is a popular attraction and tickets can sell out, especially during the summer and fall. I highly recommend booking your ticket in advance to secure your preferred time slot.

Ticket prices vary depending on the season and time of day, but expect to pay around $74–$94 CAD per adult. Kids 5 and under ride free!

👉 Check real-time availability and pricing here

You’ll receive a timed-entry ticket and can show it digitally. No need to print. 😉

When is the best time to visit the Banff Gondola

The gondola is open all-year-round but the busiest time is during peak Summer. This doesn’t necessarily mean Summer is not a good time to go because I visited in Summer and it was still really enjoyable. If you can catch a sunset up the top of the gondola, that would be amazing, otherwise the first ride up is your best bet to avoid the crowds and the Summer heat.

During Winter, the gondola is much quieter and absolutely magical! Or so I heard from my friend who has convinced me to make a return trip next time I am in Banff during Winter.

I would avoid the gondola if it is raining because you probably won’t see much from the top, but otherwise, as long as the view is clear, you can’t really go wrong picking a time to go.

How to get there from Banff

You can drive to the Banff Gondola (there is a large free parking lot, however it does fill up quickly). It is only a 10 minute drive from Banff.

You could also get the free shuttle with roam transit by showing the driver your Banff Gondola ticket. Visit Roam Transit’s website for stops and times.

There is also a different free shuttle through Brewster who is partnering with the Banff Gondola. See the bus time schedule here.

Banff Gondola Building from the parking lot

What to do at the top of the Banff Gondola

You could easily spend 2 or more hours at the top of the Banff Gondola because there is a lot to see and do such as:

Scenic hiking trails including the popular Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk.
Above Banff Interpretive Centre – great for the whole family including kids
Above Banff Theatre
360 degree rooftop observation deck
Gift Shop
Restaurants and cafes including the Sky Bistro with incredible views of the mountains

People taking photos at the Observation deck on the Banff Gondola — *Observation Deck*

Banff Gondola vs Mount Norquay vs Banff Sunshine Gondola

When it comes to choosing between the Banff Gondola and the Mount Norquay chairlift, I have done both and would definitely pick the Banff gondola. Mount Norquay doesn’t quite go to the top of the mountain and there are no hiking trails at the viewpoint. You go up, look at the view, maybe get a drink or food at the restaurant and go back down. You can spend a lot more time at the Banff Gondola and the views are way better in my opinion.

View from the Mount Norquay Chairlift in Banff

The Sunshine Village Gondola on the other hand, gives you access to Sunshine Meadows and lots of beautiful backcountry hiking trails. It is less touristy and more a tool to get up to the top of the mountain to hike the trails, vs the Banff Gondola which is more of an easy “let’s get a beer at the top of the gondola and enjoy the views, maybe do the boardwalk for a stroll.” Both are great choices but it depends whether you are looking for a more natural hiking adventure or a more touristy experience with panoramic views.

frequently asked questions

Yes! You can totally hike up the Banff Gondola if you are up for a bit of a challenge! The trail is called the Sulphur Mountain Trail and it takes you to the exact same summit that the gondola ends at. The trail is 10.8km / 6.7 miles return with an elevation gain of 755m / 2,477 ft.

The Banff Gondola operates in rain or shine and the enclosed gondola cabin keeps you dry on the way up. That said, it’s risky going up there in the rain because you might be completely fogged out. You can check the gondola’s webcam before you go to make sure there are views at the top.

If you are scared of heights, you might find the Banff Gondola a little scary but it is a pretty smooth ride and once you are at the top, the platforms that you can walk along are super safe. It’s super popular with families and first-time visitors and I personally found it to be a relaxing ride to the top.

The Banff Gondola ride takes about 8 minutes to get to the top. It’s fast but really scenic with views of Banff and the Bow Valley so make sure you have your camera ready during the ride.

Yes, the Banff Gondola is open year-round, which is one of the things that makes it so popular. You can easily visit it more than once through the different seasons and get an entirely different experience. Golden larches in Fall, magical snow in Winter and wildflowers in Summer.

Pets are not allowed on the Banff Gondola (except for service animals). If you are traveling with your dog, I’d recommend trying the Tunnel Mountain hike instead.

Yes! The Banff Gondola is wheelchair and stroller accessible and at the top there are elevators, ramps and accessible washrooms.

Parking at the Banff Gondola is free, but the lot can fill up quickly, especially during peak hours in Summer and Fall. We were there first thing in the morning and the parking lot was already filling up fast. Try to arrive early or take public transport if you are visiting during the busy season. Read about how to visit Banff without a car here.

There are a couple of dining options at the top of the gondola, as well as a Starbucks at the bottom. Sky Bistro is the main one but it isn’t cheap. From the restaurant you get insane mountain views. There’s also a casual café for quicker bites if you just want a coffee or snack and you can take it out onto the deck for a much lower price.

At the summit, you can walk the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to the old weather station for panoramic views. The walk is beautiful! You actually get views all the way along. Naturally, it took my friend and I a long time to get to the top because of all of the photos we were taking. There are also harder backcountry trails which start from the top of the gondola.