DON'T DO THIS in Banff, Canada! 

For travel bloggers, I am amazed at how little you research your trips!!!!

tourists travelling to a tourist area not realizing there would be other tourists is sooo funny

I can't even finish watching this video. Complaining about there not being an airport in Banff, really??? Not seeing bears (the national park is not a zoo btw!). That you can't get around as good with public transport than you would with a rental car... Lake Louise is one of the most touristy places in Banff National Park. Did you honestly expect to be there all by yourself? You guys sound so entitled and whiney. You having a bad experience is your own fault for having unrealistic expectations, not preparing properly for the trip and not doing your research beforehand.

So glad you managed to find your way out of Canada. Please keep it that way

This review made me a little sad. It is such a privilege to visit places like Lake Louise. If you take a little time and do some of the hikes at Lake Louise they take you away from the crowds, even in peak season. My husband and I are well traveled and were absolutely blown away by the beauty at Lake Louise and up past the Tea House. Take this review as just one couples’ experience

Tourist complaining about other tourists being where they want to go …

Am i the only one annoyed at female reviewer here.

What a waste of time. These two have NO clue on travel. And this is their foundation for RU-vid

Tourists flying to a NATIONAL PARK WITH RESTRICTED AIRSPACE questioning why there is not an airport!

I just came back from a two-day HIKE of the Lake Louise and Moraine basins. If you would have hiked the area, instead of stopping to just take pictures of the Lakes at their trailheads, both of which are tourist traps, you would have had a great and memorable time. The two of you are youngsters, not senior citizens or the standard fair on those bus tours. Why didn’t you just take shuttles in the morning to both lakes, hike the whole day, and then take the shuttles back to your hotel. Banff is a world class destination, if you are willing to adopt the best approach to seeing it. Instead, you opted for a subpar method of experiencing it, only to blame the place for your poor choice…thus becoming the 1% of Banff’s visitors who don’t go away completely enthralled with the place.

Just got back after spending 12 days in Banff on a snowboarding trip. Didn’t have a car. Shuttle from the airport only took maybe an hour and a half? We stayed at the Rocky Mountain resort and used their shuttle when the time worked out otherwise hiked or got a taxi, which was cheap IMO. It was a great time, people that go into it thinking it’s going to be like Instagram will be sorely disappointed though. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Touristy places have tourists.

I wonder if the other tourists were complaining about you being there. You need to stay home.

Perfect example of people who shouldn’t be at national parks. Completely oblivious.

Banff is not a large town and thus it makes zero sense for it to have an international airport. Calgary is the closest major population center, and thus has an internarional airport. That's like complaining that there isn't an airport at the grand canyon for international travelers and complaining that you have to drive there from Las Vegas or Phoenix.

If it takes you 2hrs from Calgary to Banff you are driving dangerously slow. Banff Springs is an experience in itself. Stay at a cheap hotel if you are out and about, stay at Banff Springs if you want to stay around the hotel grounds.

As a local, just curious where did you plan on driving to see a bear? How about go for a hike. And if you did see one you may regret it. Most of us, the last thing we want to see in the back country is a bear.

Negative people her should just sit at home !!

Oh my gosh hi guys!! I was just researching Banff and you all popped up and I got so excited. We’re thinking of visit Banff for my mom’s birthday this year. This video was SO helpful 😊

I live 4 hours away from Banff and Jasper national park (been living here for 26 years). My favorite spot is Moraine Lake. Too bad, I can't just drive there anymore like I used to every year. Because of so many tourists visiting, you have to park and book a shuttle to visit the lake. The amount of people (tourists) visiting in the summer has been insane.

There's a tea house hike 1.3hrs away from the lake from there you'll see the entire lake and the real beauty of it

Bears are in the cascade mountain valley with some cougars. And everything is up in the morning about 4 am walking around town.

You'd think a couple of this age would have used the internet to find out about what they're getting themselves into. I had to laugh when she said what am I missing. Id suggest a BRAIN.

Sounds like a bear of a time to see all the wildlife you wanted to see! Thanks for always keeping it real. Wall of people is no good. You should definitely coordinate the tour so people go to the right lakes!

You should have visited Jasper National Park!!! That’s where you’re going to see wildlife! Just today, we saw 3 black bears on the road in Jasper, when we were going to Maligne Lake!

Great video! You know what would help is if Jenny would use the word "like" a bit more to help example whats she's feel.

Maybe like, you should like, research like, places like, before you like go there.

I think for any tourist place it's common sense to go to the most popular sites in the early morning. Which is what my fam and I will be doing. But I think this video is informative and some lessons learned

Of course lake Louise is busy! Are you serious?

You can’t drive to lake Moraine. You can only shuttle to it unless you have a handicap plate/ plaque

great observations. im a canadian who visits or passes through yearly and all these tips were very accurate points. for those who think "well what were you expecting it's a tourist place" don't understand what it's like in person to see the beauty of the scenery severed by literally what you called a "wall of people" easily you can find other touristy areas in banff/jasper that have tourists around but you're still able to enjoy the scenery rather than being met with a wall of people. thanks for sharing! happy travels to all, and yes, do not avoid these lower end hotels. banff is ridiculously safe and when you're there you should be spending your time around the park NOT trapped inside a thousand dollar 5 star hotel

no airports in most natl parks in canada.

Do research elsewhere from instagram & plan better in future ! Also 2 hours travelling is nothing in Canada as it’s so vast .

I love how lazy tourist expect to see everything.

So !!! Do you think, that wall of humans doesn’t includes you??? Wow!! You are not the only tourists on earth 😆

Two hours is not a bad drive from Calgary. There’s no airport inside of Yosemite either.

GOOD ADVICE!! Agree about Lake Louise vs Lake Moraine! Yah think that was bad...check out Santorini Greece

The road to Lake Louise is closed for private vehicles in winter, they say and you can only get there by bus so the car won't help. I'll be there tomorrow so I'll check it out

Most of us in Canada stay away from the wolves and the bears.

We saw one bear in the distance and a few elk in the distance from arriving at Calgary to leaving Sunpeaks for Vancouver. I even went out at 9pm when the Bear Alert sign was on in Jasper and never saw a bear despite bear poop all over the pavement. Was slightly disappointed 😔 but the whole tour of Canada was amazing 😻

wanna see a bear? there are zoos. these are really nitpicky things that only some entitled people complain about. even with public transit, there are plenty of things to do and see if you do 10 seconds of research. sorry you had a not so good experience, but some people would kill for that experience

I feel you about Lake Louise... when I went to Bermuda, everybody was raving about Horseshoe Bay but it was a sea of cruise ship tourists; I rented a moped and found the most insane beach coves... the water in Bermuda in summer,,,,, beautiful aqua blue and all you have to do is stand by the road to appreciate

Sounds like you didn’t research before you went.

As for the cost of accommodations in Banff versus the Dominican Republic, bear in mind that Canada, like the US, is a wealthy first world country, while the DR is a poor country that relies heavily on tourism. Therefore, it stands to reason that expenses will be substantially higher in Canada compared to the DR. Similar to why things cist a lot more in Australia than in nearby Indonesia.

Your information seems to be out of date. If I am not mistaken Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are no longer open to private vehicles during tourist season. You have to take a tour or shuttle. Moraine Lake hotel is closed in off season when we went there. Years ago we could find motorhome parking at Lake Louise by going at the crack of dawn. No more I believe but check it out beforehand as rules have changed lately.

My suggestion would be try not to go during the peak season. Try May, June or September. Downside is you might get some snow or colder weather, but a lot less crowds. July and August are gonna be the most busy, that's why people are out of school and families travel most often. You can also try Jasper. It's similar Banff, but a little less touristy so you'll have less people. Banff has 4 million visitors per year Jasper's like half that.

I'm not sure what time of year you guys went but I went there in mid September and the place was virtually deserted, There was people around the front of the lake closest to the Hotel but we walked down the trail to a few picture spots and for the most part nobody even walked by or nothing. We are thinking about going back for New Years eve because we heard it turns into a ski town times square with a big street party.

you probably always seen pictures of moraine lake and thought it was lake louise

People from the area hope to not see bears, wolves or cougars. City tourists actually want to get near these predators 😂

I'm going to Banff in October so thanks for this honest video :) I used to work in a hotel by the lake Strbske Pleso in Slovakia which gets very crowded in summer so after this experience I refuse to travel during summer months lol...That small national park gets over 20k visitors DAILY during summer break but then it's pretty much empty in Autumn. Every single train that runs up the mountains is completely full.. Not sure if Banff is still crowded in Autumn but I'm hoping it's not as busy as those summer months :)

Most national parks are no fly zone; I do not think anybody is expecting an airport in banff

Lol. I live a few hours away. I backpack Banff and jasper every summer. During covid was awsom, no tourists

Thank you for the details! I’m visiting next month in mid-July and excited!!

Great post. I relate with your travel preferences (public trans, hotels) and still recognize there are times/locations where others choices(car) are more practical. I’m looking to go in end of May/beginning of June. I’m glad you posted that bit about Morraine opening June 1. When did you go? Aside from the lakes, how did fill out the rest of your itinerary? Also, is Calgary worth a day or two visit?

The term as it defines "wildlife" is because they are "wild". If you are looking just to see a bear, or a sure thing, then a zoo is where you need to go. If you want an opportunity to see a bear, then research best chances and recent sightings. While it is possible to see bears mid day, especially for habituated bears, early morning, or late afternoon/dusk are the best times. Grizzlies and black bears do overlap, but grizzlies tend to like easy access to open areas, where black bears often try to stay in the thick of it. Time of year is a factor as well, spring is far better than summer to see them and heat will put them down much of the day. And if you get into the backcountry away from the crowds, you have a better chance. Anyway, they are awesome and signify wilderness because they are wild and not easily found. Again, like some grizzlies around Teton National Park that are habituated, you may have a better chance of seeing them, but just because there is a large population does not mean you will see them. In fact most bears will often leave the area as soon as they are aware of you and often before you knew they were there. If a bear sees you and hangs around, it is because they are likely habituated to people, cars, etc. Bighorn sheep will tend to hang around certain areas and can become accustomed to people, meaning they won't necessarily leave. Elk are similar to some extent and you will have a better chance of seeing these two than any of the others you are talking about. Deer are a good possibility as well. Wolves are very tough and consider yourself lucky if you see them, with mountain lions very elusive with very few sightings even though their numbers are high. Like bears, best times for all animals as mentioned are very early morning, or late afternoon/dusk.

I highly recommend you utilize a travel agent to book your next trip. Most do not charge for their services so you are not paying more to book with a travel agent and in the case of your Banff trip, it could have saved you a lot of frustration. Yes I am a travel agent but I am not at all promoting my services, just suggesting you book with an agent, any agent. A travel agent would have explained everything you just stated on this video, but BEFORE your trip making for a better and more enjoyable trip for you.

Guys, I am expecting for two young people to be smart. But apparently “ your regrets “ translated to not doing your own homework and research . Next time post something a positives instead of negatives complaints!

Hi you cannot drive to either lake moraine lake is only accessible by bus / tram lake Louise shuttle up or walk a very long distance

Which hotel did you stay in? How many days do you need to visit Banff?

Banff is still stressful with a car. Being a local I saw so many tourists get denied from parking because every place was packed. Especially in Lake Louise. A lot of times the bus is the only option to the lakes in the summer. Obviously there’s a lot of other tourists at the lakes as well. You have to be mindful of that.

Great video and not surprised by the crowds but hey the place is spectacular. I will be visiting in six weeks. Can't wait.

I don't know if you know this but bears bite very hard and if one does bit you it is very painful.

Great honest review! 👍🏾👍🏾 stay well

You can't drive to Moraine lake anymore. I wish you could.

These areas have been completely over run by…..tourists, so that being said, most Canadians avoid these areas. You ever come back a can recommend some areas in that area that would change your mind.

It is indeed brutal now. It wasn’t like this even 10 years ago, let alone 20 years ago. The crowds and “influencers” crowding the tourist spots have serious locals simply staying away and going to other places. Lake Louise was my mountaineering home… years ago. Now I dread going there… the paid parking is new too. lol.

Maybe just vacation on a Private Island or book the entire place to yourself?

Great video! About how far was it from the parking lot to the "wall of humans". Also, what time of year were you there?

Me and wifey choosing Bus or rental car..and your video put us in the right more enjoyable vacation.. and Car it is👍

LOL - chance of seeing a bear, wolf , or cougar is slim to none. Even if one is in the area on your hike they are long gone before you're even near it.

Pretty clear they don't ski....

You need to visit in the Winter, thats when it comes to life! skiing, ice sculptures, etc

Hi what hostel did you stay in banff. I am going in July this year.

thanks for sharing, what time of year did you go to Banff?

Thanks for the tips! Which hostels did you stay at? We are looking as well!

Banff and Jasper are not wildlife parks. The trees prevent the view. Go to Denali NP Alaska which is world class for bear viewing, as there are less trees blocking the views.

The #1 mistake people make when visiting Canada is not renting a car. If you really want to explore anywhere you need a car rental. The best way to avoid crowds get to where you want hours before sunrise. Go on a hike you will get away from the crowds. I really enjoy Bow Lake got there for sunrise. I was the only one there for sunrise. Then go and hike Bow Glacier Falls.

secret is to rent a car and get a room in Canmore, a city just 10 minutes east of Banff. I should also point out that Banff caters to European and Asian visitors more than Americans. To you, Banff is not that much different than what you have in the states.

You sound like a couple of old people, travelling isn't for you, just go on vacation in a resort

thx, for all the info, we are driving there in Sept, and will not stay in Banff at the high prices, also the info on the lakes are great, still looking at the info on the lakes. how far is Lake Emerald from the rest?

All good to know! Lake Moraine still favorite.

great tips thank you!

I soo appreciate this. It sounds like an amazing place, but I appreciate your tips and honesty!

watched 3 minutes and she says 'like' 43 times.

Imagine a national park in the Rockies without an airport. Blasphemy. And crowds at one of the most popular places in Banff, whaaat??? Thanks for dropping by, don't come back.

Guys its easy to love something to death. Have to wonder when the business end got so in charge. Im glad you found other lakes to enjoy

What hotel did you go?

Did you do any research prior to going? 🤦‍♀️

Hahaha Been living in the forest in Canada for 43 years and have still not seen a bear!! :D This made me laugh!!

Sorry you had a bad experience at Lake Louise, try to visit during shoulder months or rent a car to have a better control on your itinerary. Driving abroad is not that bad. I have driven in Latin America, Europe and East Asia. I had an accident in Brazil and I was 100% covered by my credit card . Best ❤

Bro blink twice if you're being held captive. Good luck.

Yes, you DO need a car. Parking is brutal but you STILL need a car! As for animals, the last seven times I went to Banff I only saw bears one time, but that once I saw FIVE bears. By the way, Lake Louise is out-of-this-world beautiful! It's gorgeous. Morraine Lake is better, but that takes NOTHING from Lake Louise. Emerald Lake is in Yoho, not Banff (but it's close by, if you have a car). By the way, as of this past year, you can no longer drive to Morraine Lake, you have to use the tour. Do NOT pass up Peyto Lake!

Lol you guys don't know what you're talking about. You can only get to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise by shuttle, you can't drive your own vehicle there. But still a good idea to rent a vehicle so you can explore other areas, especially the Icefields Parkway.

Thanks. Useful to know. Will give Louise a miss and head to Moraine.

I'm so not calling you out here it's only an hour from Calgary to Banff. A lot of tourists come expecting to see a lot of wildlife. Banff National park is the biggest national park in Canada. A lot of bear sitings aren't even in the park. You have a 80% chance to see a Grizzly on the way to Kananaskis prov. Park. Only 35 grizzlies are in the park. They are an endangered animal here. Wolves 90% chance you won't get to see the only pack in BNP. 12 wolves were legally killed as soon as they stepped out of the park😭 plus they are nocturnal. I saw the pack at midnight had a flashlight to see glowing eyes. That was pure luck we were told. BNP is not like a zoo where you do get to see animals. Living here for 7 years now never have I seen,cougars,bobcats and moose. Everything else you explained regarding the park, you are dead on! Beyond expensive.Banff is a town so the airstrip we have is for emergency landings. Can't get much closer with all the mountains except helicopters. Overall I hope you did enjoy your trip😊

Insane how busy it is there! Banff is at the top of our bucket list, so this is all super helpful!

Definitely need to do the Parkway.

Think u would have liked Lake Louise better if u went on the 3h hike to Big Beehive..... The views are so good..

LOL did you look at the price to rent a car? goes for 2000$-3000$ per week right now.

Ranua Zoo is decent if u are coming to northern Finland, bears, polar beats etc