Travel Information
The town of Banff is west of Calgary, Alberta. Most attendees will fly into Calgary International Airport (YYC) and drive or take a bus to Banff.
Porter Airlines is the official airline partner for ICAPS 2024. ICAPS attendees hoping to fly with Porter are invited to reach out to porter@icaps2024.com for a discount code on flights to/from Calgary on Porter Airlines.
Note: Banff is in Banff National Park. The Park has an entry fee. See below.
Bus from YYC to Banff
A two-hour drive away, the Calgary International Airport (YYC) is the closest airport to Banff. The Calgary International Airport maintains a website with up-to-date information on transportation and accommodation information. Visit https://yyc.com/.
Banff Airporter is the official transportation partner for ICAPS 2024. ICAPS attendees enjoy 15% off the cost of travel to/from Banff when you use the code “ICAPS2024”. The trip from YYC to the Banff Centre is approximately two hours (the bus drops you off at the Banff Centre’s hotel front desk). Phone 403.762.3330 or 1.888.449.2901 (toll-free within North America) or visit https://banffairporter.com/.
Brewster Travel Canada offers daily motor coach shuttles from YYC to Banff. Reservations are required. Visit https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/brewster-express/. The bus stops at the Banff bus station, a five-minute drive or 30 minute walk to the Banff Centre. Call Taxi Taxi at 403.762.0000.
Drive from YYC to Banff
For those attending the Symposium on Combinatorial Search (SOCS) this year, note the location of Kananaskis Village on the map. There are numerous places to park at the Banff Centre. Parking is free.
Banff National Park Entry Fee
[From https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/tarifs-fees#admission, February 25]
A fee is charged for admission to Banff National Park. The revenues are used to support visitor services and facilities. The fee per day (in Canadian dollars):
Adult (age 18 to 64): $11
Senior (age 65+): $9.50
Youth (age 17 and under): free
Family/group (up to seven people arriving in a single vehicle): $22
Getting Around in Banff
Uber and Lyft are not available in Banff. Call Taxi Taxi at 403.762.0000.
BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Visitor Information
Wildlife
As the Banff Centre and the town of Banff are in Banff National Park, various types of wildlife are often observed. Sightings range from different bird species to the most frequently encountered large mammals: elk, mountain goats, bears, and mountain lions.
Keep in mind that the wildlife you may encounter is just that — wild! Please ensure that you respect the animals’ spaces and habitats while in the park. That perfect picture can sometimes lead to a compromising situation for both the subject and the photographer. For your safety and theirs, please treat them with respect and keep your distance. Please do not feed any of the animals, including the squirrels, as they are protected by law.
Please do not feed any animals, this can result in animals becoming habituated to humans and could lead to them being put down.
Elk can be fast and dangerous, especially during spring calving (May 15-July 1). If you encounter any elk, keep your distance. You must always stay at least three bus lengths away from elk. Do not use headphones on trails. It is always best to travel in groups and to be always aware of your surroundings. If you see wildlife on the Banff Centre campus, please contact Security Services via the main switchboard by dialling ‘0’ or calling 1.403.760.0098.
It is your responsibility to educate yourself on the topic of wildlife and how to prepare for wildlife encounters. Mountains can be dangerous. If you are planning an excursion, contact the Parks Canada Information Centre at 403.762.1550 for up-to-date weather and avalanche information, reports on trail conditions, and wildlife activity. Visit https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff for more information.