These are the best weekend getaways from Calgary, all within a few hours by car or train. The Rockies and badlands put mountains and dinosaurs within an easy drive.
Quick comparison
| Destination | Drive time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Banff | 1.5 hours | everyone |
| Canmore | 1 hour | hikers |
| Kananaskis | 1 hour | quiet nature |
| Drumheller | 1.5 hours | families |
| Waterton Lakes | 3 hours | hikers |
| Golden, BC | 3 hours | adventurers |
| Radium Hot Springs | 2.5 hours | relaxation |
The getaways
Banff
Lakes and hot springs. See our Banff guide.
Canmore
Mountain town with great food.
Kananaskis
Lakes, trails and a Nordic spa.
Drumheller
Dinosaurs and badlands.
Waterton Lakes
Prairie meets mountains.
Golden, BC
Rafting and Kicking Horse resort.
Radium Hot Springs
Hot pools in Kootenay National Park.
Our road trip gear picks
- Dash cams worth buying VerdictFox
Record scenic drives and protect yourself if something happens on the highway. - Best budget 12V portable fridges VerdictFox
Keep drinks and picnic food cold on long road trips without buying ice every day. - Power stations for camping and road trips VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for weekend trips
- Leave Friday afternoon or early Saturday to beat traffic.
- Book Saturday nights early, especially in summer and fall.
- Pack light: a weekender or small backpack is enough.
A sample weekend
- Friday evening: leave after work, check in and have a relaxed dinner close to your hotel.
- Saturday morning: tackle the headline sight or hike early, before day-trippers arrive.
- Saturday afternoon: slow down with a long lunch, a winery or brewery visit, a spa or a beach.
- Saturday evening: book one special dinner in advance.
- Sunday: a short walk, market or scenic drive, and head home early afternoon to beat the return traffic.
What to pack
- Layers and a light rain jacket
- Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- A reusable water bottle and snacks for the drive
- Chargers and a power bank
- Swimsuit for pools, lakes or hot springs
Keep it to one bag; a good weekender makes two-night trips effortless.
Weekend budget
For two people, a mid-range weekend typically costs C$360–C$700 for two nights of accommodation, C$250–C$450 for food and drink, plus fuel, parking and any entry fees. Travel outside peak summer and holiday weekends, and you can often save a third on rooms.
Weekend favourites in detail
Banff
Banff is Canada’s first national park (1885) and its most famous mountain town, surrounded by turquoise lakes, hot springs, wildlife and the peaks of the Rockies. Read our Banff travel guide.
- Best time: June to September for lakes and hiking; December to March for skiing
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours from Calgary; 3.5–4 hours from Jasper via the Icefields Parkway
- Don’t miss: Moraine Lake, Banff Gondola and Banff Upper Hot Springs
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
Kananaskis Country
Kananaskis is a quieter alternative to Banff, with lakes, peaks and wildlife, an hour from Calgary. Read our Kananaskis Country travel guide.
- Best time: June to September
- Getting there: About 1 hour from Calgary
- Don’t miss: Kananaskis Lakes, Kananaskis Nordic Spa and Ha Ling Peak
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Drumheller
Drumheller, in Alberta’s Badlands, is the dinosaur capital of the world, home to the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Read our Drumheller travel guide.
- Best time: May to September
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours from Calgary
- Don’t miss: Royal Tyrrell Museum, Hoodoos and Horseshoe Canyon
- Mid-range hotels: C$170–280 a night
Waterton Lakes National Park
Waterton is where prairie meets mountains, with the Prince of Wales Hotel and connections to Glacier National Park. Read our Waterton Lakes National Park travel guide.
- Best time: June to September
- Getting there: About 3 hours from Calgary
- Don’t miss: Prince of Wales Hotel, Waterton Lake cruise and Bear’s Hump
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require government-issued photo ID; carry a passport if you might cross into the US.
- Money: GST or HST is added to most prices at the till, so budget 5–15% more than the shelf price; tipping 15–20% at restaurants is standard.
- Insurance: Provincial health plans may not pay the full cost of care in another province, and ambulance and air-ambulance costs can be high, so check whether an out-of-province travel insurance policy makes sense for you. Read our guide to out-of-province travel insurance.
- Driving: Most Canadians road-trip in their own car; rentals are widely available, and winter tyres are required on many BC highways and in Quebec in winter. Fuel is usually cheapest in Alberta and most expensive in BC and the North.
- Saving money: see our Canada budget travel and cheapest places to travel in Canada guides.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | C$150–C$220 | motel, hostel or campsite, casual meals, self-drive |
| Mid-range | C$300–C$480 | good hotel, restaurant meals, some tours |
| Luxury | C$700–C$1,400 | resort or historic hotel, fine dining, guided experiences |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Responsible travel tips
Popular places are under pressure from crowds. Visit on weekdays or in shoulder seasons, carpool or use shuttles, refill a reusable water bottle, and buy from local businesses. Respect Indigenous lands and cultural sites, follow posted closures, and keep a safe distance from wildlife.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Travel in style
- Luxury jewellery for special occasions Opulique
Mark an anniversary or honeymoon with something lasting. - Luxury gift ideas Opulique
Gifts for the traveller in your life. - Best weekender bags Opulique
A refined weekender is perfect for two-night escapes.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest getaway?
The first entries on our list are under two hours away.
Do I need a car?
For most, yes, though some are reachable by train or bus.
When is the best time?
Spring and fall have the best weather and fewer crowds.
Are these good for couples?
Yes, several are classic romantic escapes.
How much does a weekend cost?
Plan roughly C$400–C$800 per person for two nights mid-range.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Most Romantic Getaways in Canada
- Best Small Towns to Visit in Canada
- How to Travel Canada on a Budget: 25 Money-Saving Tips