How to explore Jasper without a car: Everything you need to know

Planning to visit Jasper without a car this year and wondering what you’ll actually be able to see and do? I’ve been to Jasper 5 times now so I’m sharing everything you need to know about getting to and around Jasper in 2026. 

“But how on earth will you get around Jasper without a car?”  This was the first question my sister and I got when we told our parents that we weren’t planning to hire a car for our two-week trip. It was 2018 and neither of us had been to Canada before and didn’t fancy driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road. So, we decided we would do our whole Banff and Jasper trip using public transport. 

At 10,878 square kilometres, Jasper National Park is almost double the size of Banff National Park. Getting around Jasper without a car is definitely more difficult than Banff but it’s not impossible. Despite the sheer size of the park, with some careful planning you can see a lot of the iconic sights in Jasper using public transport, taxis and tours.  

I spent ages researching how to get around before our trip. It wasn’t easy to find the information for some places (like Jasper Skytram), so I’ve included all the details in this guide to save you the time and hassle. I hope this helps you plan your trip to Jasper! 

Disclaimer: This blog post features some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep writing these free guides and itineraries. Thanks! 

How to explore Jasper without a car in 2026 

I’ve visited Jasper without a car twice and although it’s not as straightforward as Banff, it is doable with some careful planning! Here’s everything you need to know to plan your car-free trip to Jasper in 2026: 

How to get to Jasper from Edmonton without a car  

If you’re flying to Jasper, the closest airport is Edmonton International Airport (YEG) which is a 4-hour drive (393 km/ 244 miles) from the national park. There are a couple of ways you can get to Jasper from Edmonton using public transport: 

Sundog Tours 

Sundog Tours offers daily shuttle buses between Edmonton, Edson, Hinton and Jasper. Buses depart Edmonton International Airport at 3pm and arrive in Jasper around 8pm depending on traffic. The pickup location is in the bus parking area at Door 10 on the arrivals floor. You can also get picked up in downtown Edmonton from Monday to Friday (pick up from West Edmonton Mall and Edmonton Airport is available 7 days a week). Here is the 2026 schedule: 

Edmonton International Airport → West Edmonton Mall/ Downtown → Edson → Hinton → Jasper  

• 3:00pm – Depart Edmonton International Airport  
• 4:00pm – Depart West Edmonton Mall  
• 6:15pm – Arrive Edson  
• 7:15pm – Arrive Hinton  
• 8:00pm – Arrive Jasper 

Jasper → Hinton → Edson → West Edmonton Mall/ Downtown → Edmonton International Airport  

• 6:45am – Pyramid Lake Lodge & Marmot Meadows  
• 7:00am – Depart Jasper  
• 7:15am – Jasper Park Lodge  
• 8:15am – 8:30am – Depart Hinton  
• 9:15am – 9:30am – Depart Edson  
• 11:45am – Arrive West Edmonton Mall/ Downtown Connector  
• 12:30pm – Arrive Edmonton International Airport 

2026 prices: 

• Adults: $89 one-way, $99 return 
• Children: $49 one-way, $59 return 

VIA Rail 

You can also travel to Jasper from Edmonton by train. VIA Rail is Canada’s national rail service and offers year-round trips between Edmonton and Jasper. The 5-hour ride is a very relaxing (and scenic) way to travel to Jasper without a car. The scenery is incredible and the trains have all the modern comforts you need such as ergonomic seats, free Wi-Fi, and onboard dining.  

Jasper’s train station is located right in the heart of downtown which makes this a very convenient option. Prices start at $132 each way per adult but you can find exact fares on their website.  

Getting to Jasper from Banff 

To get from Banff to Jasper, you’ll need to travel up the beautiful Icefields Parkway. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the world. I’ve been lucky enough to do this drive five times now (in a car and also via a shuttle) and it never gets old. There isn’t any public transportation to Jasper via the Icefields Parkway, but you can book a shuttle: 

Brewster Express/ Sundog Tours 

From May to October, Brewster Express runs a daily service between Banff and Jasper. The coaches are modern with comfortable seating, large viewing windows, complimentary Wi-Fi and charging points which makes the journey much more enjoyable. There is just one departure each day, here’s the schedule: 

• 2:15pm – Depart Banff 
• 3:15pm – Arrive in Lake Louise 
• 3:30pm – Depart Lake Louise 
• 4:50pm – Depart Saskatchewan Crossing 
• 5:35pm – Depart Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre 
• 6:10pm – Depart Sunwapta Falls 
• 7:00pm – Arrive in Jasper 

2026 prices: 

(From May 1 – October 31, 2026) 

• Adults: $154 each way 
• Children: $100.10 each way  

From November to April, Sundog Tours takes over. They can drop you off at most of the hotels in Jasper, including the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Chateau Jasper, Maligne Lodge, Marmot Lodge, Mount Robson Inn and The Crimson. Here’s the current 2026 schedule: 

• 2:30pm – Depart Banff 
• 3:45pm – Depart Lake Louise 
• 6:45pm – Arrive in Jasper 

2026 prices:  

(From October 18, 2025 – April 30, 2026) 

• Adults: $84 each way 
• Children: $39 each way 

Sundog Tours One-Way Icefields Parkway Sightseeing Tour 

There are so many amazing stops along the Icefields Parkway but you won’t get a chance to explore them on the shuttles above as they’re direct services. If you really want to see them on your way from Banff to Jasper, I have another option for you. In addition to the direct shuttle, Sundog Tours offers a one way, full-day tour in the summer between Banff and Jasper. 

This is a great way to get from Banff to Jasper without a car and see some of the Rockies’ most beautiful sights along the way. The tour will pick you up in Banff around 8:15am and take you to Lake Louise, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake and Columbia Icefields. Here you’ll get 4 hours to take part in the Ice Explorer tour onto the Athabasca Glacier and enjoy the interpretive exhibits at the Columbia Icefield Centre. Afterwards, you’ll continue to Athabasca Falls (one of my favourite stops – see the photo below) and then to Jasper. The tour includes lunch and all activities and takes about 12 hours.  

2026 prices: 

(From May 2 –October 12, 2026) 

• Adults: $339 each way 
• Children: $169 each way 

Read next | Planning to visit Banff National Park on the same trip? I’ve got a separate guide on how to explore Banff without a car which will help with planning.  

Getting around Jasper town without a car 

Jasper National Park doesn’t have the same extensive public transportation system that Banff does, but you can still get around with some careful planning: 

Walking around Jasper 

A lot of walking trails start from the town so you can explore the local area on foot. If you enjoy walking then Lake Beauvert, Lake Annette and Lake Edith are accessible from town and you can follow the trail which runs along the Athabasca River. From the town it is an 8km walk to Lake Edith and takes around 2 hours to walk there.  

Cycling around Jasper  

If you’re travelling to Jasper without a car in the summer months, cycling is a great way to get around. You can hire bikes to explore Jasper and the surrounding area. Bike rentals are available in several shops located in the town, including  Source for Sports and Vicious Cycle. 

Jasper taxis 

There are plenty of taxis in Jasper which are reasonably priced. We decided to take a taxi up to Pyramid Island to see Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake as our feet were a bit tired by this point. It cost us about $35 CAD so this can be a cost-effective way if you are travelling in a group. There are three different taxi companies you can use: Mountain Express Taxi, Caribou Cabs and Mr. Taxi & Tours.  

Public transport  

When I first went to Jasper, there wasn’t a public transit system but that’s now changed! Jasper Transit isn’t as robust as Banff’s Roam Transit, but it definitely makes getting around Jasper without a car a lot easier! The 24-person shuttle bus connects Whistlers and Wapiti campgrounds to multiple stops in Jasper National Park. The routes and schedules do change depending on the season but include the following stops: 

• Town of Jasper 
• Pyramid Lake Lodge 
• Jasper Park Lodge  
• Lake Annette 

The Transit Hub is where are all the lines stop. It’s located right next to Jasper Park Information Centre and Jasper Visitor Experience Centre. Here’s the link on Google Maps if you’re struggling to locate it. 

Jasper Transit has 4 main lines plus a regional line to Hinton and Marmot Meadows: 

Red Line:  

Campgrounds Loop 

Orange Line:  

Pyramid Loop goes to Pyramid Lake and back to downtown Jasper 

Green Line:  

Lodge Loop goes to Lake Mildred and Lac Beauvert at Jasper Park Lodge year-round, plus Lake Annette in summer 

Purple Line:  

Town Loop (multiple stops in town) 

2026 prices: 

You can purchase single-use tickets or day passes through the HotSpot app or at the payment kiosk located across from the Hub. If you just want to buy a single ride, you can pay for this with exact change on the bus.  

• Single Use: $2.50 
• Day Pass: $7.00 
• 3 Day Pass: Adult (18 – 59) $15.00 | Senior (60+) $18.00 | Youth (13-17) $18.00 
• Children 12 & under: Free 

Getting to Jasper’s popular attractions without a car 

Some of the best things to do in Jasper National Park are located outside the main town. As you can see, the public transit system doesn’t go that far but don’t worry, there are other ways to get there without a car: 

Maligne Lake and Spirit Island  

Stretching approximately 22 km, Maligne Lake is the longest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies, and the second largest glacier-fed lake in the world. It’s also home to one of the most photographed spots in Jasper National Park: Spirit Island. The island is a spiritual place for the Stoney Nakoda First Nation and is only accessible by boat.  

So, how do you get to Maligne Lake without a car? Easy! Maligne Adventures offers a shuttle that runs between Jasper and Maligne Lake. It’s a comfortable shuttle bus with large windows so you can sit back and enjoy the view on the hour-long journey. Prebookings are essential to secure your spot! 

They’ll pick you up from Whistlers Campground, downtown Jasper (outside the Two Brothers Totem Pole) or from the following Jasper hotels: 

• Tonquin Inn 
• Lobstick Lodge 
• Chateau Jasper 
• Jasper Inn 
• Forest Park Hotel 

Here’s the 2026 schedule: 

Jasper > Maligne Lake 

Whistlers Campground	Downtown Jasper	Jasper Hotels	Maligne Lake
7:30am	7:45am	7:50am	9:00am
8:45am*	9:00am*	9:05am*	10:00am*
10:15am	10:30am	10:35am	11:45am
1:15pm	1:30pm	1:35pm	2:45pm
4:15pm	4:30pm	4:35pm	5:45pm

Maligne Lake > Jasper 

Maligne Lake	Jasper Hotels	Downtown Jasper	Whistlers Campground
9:00am	9:55am	10:00am	10:10am
10:00am*	10:55am*	11:00am*	–
12:00pm	12:55pm	1:00pm	1:10pm
3:00pm	3:55pm	4:00pm	4:10pm
6:00pm	6:55pm	7:00pm	7:10pm

*Peak season only Jul 1 – Sep 6 

2026 prices: 

(Available from June 1 to September 20, 2026) 

• Adults: $49 each way 
• Children: $39 each way 

Travel tip | You can canoe or kayak to Spirit Island which takes 5 – 8 hours, or you can book a 90-minute Maligne Lake Cruise which takes you directly to Spirit Island. The 2026 season will run from May 29 to October 12. 

Jasper SkyTram 

Located just 7 km from the town centre, Jasper SkyTram is the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada and offers easy access to some beautiful hiking trails. It’s set to open for the 2026 season in April but you can check actual dates on their website.  

Sundog Tours offers a package that includes your SkyTram ticket and round-trip transportation. They pick up from a number of hotels in Jasper, including Jasper Park Lodge, Marmot Lodge, Tonquin Inn and Chateau Jasper, and take you to the SkyTram. If you already have your SkyTram ticket, they also offer shuttle only tickets. 

2026 prices: 

• Jasper Hotels: Adults $85 | Children (6 – 15) $44 
• Jasper Park Lodge: Adults $89 | Children (6 – 15) $49 
• Shuttle only: $6 one way | $10 return 

Travel tip | Many hotels in Jasper also offer regular shuttle buses to and from Jasper Skytram so it’s worth asking them if this is available when you book. 

Maligne Canyon 

Sadly, Maligne Canyon experienced significant fire activity and damage in the 2024 Jasper Wildfire. As a result, it is closed until further notice. You can check Parks Canada’s website for up-to-date information.  

Jasper National Park Sightseeing Tours 

If you’re visiting Jasper without a car and want to explore further afield, there are plenty of great tours available that will take you to the iconic sights.  

Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake and Spirit Island 

The Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake and Spirit Island tour takes you to three of the park’s most incredible sights. It’s operated by Sundog Tours who will pick you up and drop you back at your hotel in Jasper, making it a very convenient way to explore the park! Check prices > 

Whitewater Rafting Tour 

If you’re looking for something exhilarating, Jasper is a great place for whitewater rafting! There are plenty of tours that you can book but my friends in Jasper have all recommended this 2-hour tour with Jasper’s Whitewater Rafting Company Ltd. They’ll take you on the Athabasca River where you’ll get a safety talk and a lesson in the raft before taking on the grade 2 rapids. Check prices > 

Wildlife and Sightseeing Tour with Maligne Lake Hike 

Jasper National Park is home to an abundance of wildlife. If like me you love travelling to see wildlife, this sightseeing tour is a great option if you don’t have a car in Jasper. You’ll learn about the local wildlife, fauna and flora. The guides are so knowledgeable and will teach you a lot about the area’s unique geology. You’ll stop at Maligne Canyon Overlook where you’ll hear about the 2024 fire’s ecological impact and how the landscape is recovering. After, you’ll go to Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake where you’ll look for moose, bears and other wildlife. Check prices >  

Frequently asked questions 

I’ve visited Jasper without a car twice so I’m answering the most common questions I get via Instagram and email below: 

Do you need a car in Jasper National Park? 

Yes, you can. I’ll be honest, getting around Banff without a car is a lot easier and I would recommend hiring a car to explore Jasper, but it is doable. The town is quite compact and pedestrian friendly so you can easily walk to the local sights. There are plenty of hiking trails which start close to the town, such as the Valley of the Five Lakes Loop and Pyramid Trail. You also have the option of hiring bikes and cycling around Jasper National Park which is a nice thing to do in the summer months.   

As many attractions are located further away from the town, you will need to book tours or shuttle bus services to get there. Fortunately, there are lots of great, affordable options and the guides are very knowledgeable so it’s actually a lovely way to explore Jasper without a car.   

When is the best time to visit Jasper without a car? 

The first time I visited Jasper without a car was in May 2018 with my sister. I didn’t realise that the lakes didn’t fully thaw until June and that most shuttle services didn’t run until later in the season. We managed to make it work but I would recommend going between mid-June to early October if you won’t have a car. By then, most shuttle and tour services will be running regularly which will make your life a lot easier! 

Do I still need to purchase a Park Pass if I’m visiting without a car? 

Yes! Even if you’re visiting Jasper without a car, you still need to buy a National Park Pass to explore. You can purchase a day passes or annual passes online or at Visitor Centre in downtown Jasper.  

Daily 

Adult	$12.25
Senior	$10.75
Youth	free
Family/Group	$24.50
Commercial Group, per person	$10.42

Parks Canada Discovery Pass (Annual pass) 

Adult	$83.50
Senior	$71.50
Family/Group	$167.50

Travel tip | The Canada Strong Pass is back in 2026! If you’re visiting between June 19 to September 7, 2026, the Government of Canada is offering free admission to all Canadian national parks including Jasper. This means you won’t need to purchase a Parks Pass. You can find more details here. 

Where to stay in Jasper without a car  

If you are planning to visit without a car, you’ll want to stay somewhere central so can easily get to the main sights and hiking trails. There are some incredible hotels to choose from in Jasper. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Pyramid Lake Resort are two of my favourites; however, they’re further from the town. If you’re planning to visit Jasper without a car then you’ll want to try and stay in the townsite. Luckily, there are lots of great hotels and B&Bs to choose from. 

Chateau Jasper 

Located in the town just off Connaught Drive, Chateau Jasper is a short walk from the shops and restaurants. It’s an environmentally friendly hotel and has a modern gym, indoor pool, and a hot tub. Wifi is included and the rooms are very comfortable. Check prices >  

Crimson Jasper 

Located on Connaught Drive, the Crimson offers easy access to all the main sights and walking trails. It has a lovely hot tub, indoor pool, and a range of rooms and suites if you are looking for a self-catered option. Check prices > 

HI Jasper 

In 2024, a wildfire spread through Jasper and destroyed a third of the mountain town, including many hotels. Among them was HI Jasper hostel. I stayed here back in 2023 and absolutely loved this hostel. I don’t normally book hostels now I’m in my mid-30s but HI hostels have private rooms and are always so clean with everything you need. The good news is that they are rebuilding HI Jasper Hostel and are hoping to open in 2026. Keep an eye on their website for updates as it’s definitely worth booking here if dates work out!  

Final thoughts 

Although driving is the best way to explore Jasper National Park, with some careful planning, you can see a lot. In total, my sister and I spent about $400 on travel during our trip which was half the cost of the car rental quotes we got. While having a car would have given us more flexibility, you can definitely see Jasper without a car. It just takes a little bit of planning, but for us that’s all part of the adventure! 

Where to explore next? 

I’ve been to Jasper five times now and have written a lot of guides, so I recommend taking a look at these as you start to plan your trip: 

• How to spend 3 days in Jasper National Park 
• The most incredible things to do in Jasper in winter 
• Everything you need to know about visiting Jasper 
• How to get to Spirit Island in Jasper National Park 

Love from Steph

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