Edmonton to Jasper: your options
Jasper is a town inside Jasper National Park in Alberta, and it has no airport. The usual route is a flight to Edmonton International Airport, code YEG, then a drive or a shuttle west into the mountains. Calgary (YYC) works too, but the road from there runs south of Jasper by way of Banff and Lake Louise and then up the Icefields Parkway. Jasper also has a railway station with VIA Rail service.
Edmonton is a long way from Jasper, so plan a long day. Once you have arrived, the best sights are close to town, and our list of Jasper National Park tours shows what you can do without a car.
Getting to Jasper compared
The main ways in, with 2026 details where they are known.
| Option | Time | Cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport shuttle from YEG | About 5 hours; back to YEG about 5.5 hours | CA$99 adult, CA$59 child up to 12, plus tax | Solo travellers and anyone without a car |
| Hire car from YEG | – | – | Groups and trips with several stops |
| Taxi from the airport | – | No fixed fare for the full trip to Jasper | Short hops in Edmonton |
| VIA Rail | See the train page | Depends on day and class | A scenic trip without driving |
For most visitors without a car, the shuttle is the simplest way. Hire a car if you want to reach the lakes and the Icefields Parkway on your own.
Our pick: onward by road
A one-way day with a driver-guide from Jasper to Banff, so the trip out is part of the day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours and day trips in Jasper
Boat trips, glacier tours, rafting and wildlife outings once you have arrived, with live prices and availability.
Airport transfer and taxi from Edmonton (YEG)
The airport shuttle runs every day of the year by way of Edson and Hinton. The bus leaves the airport at about 3 p.m. and reaches Jasper at about 8 p.m. The return leaves Jasper at 7 a.m. and arrives at the airport around 12:30 p.m. Schedules can shift, so confirm the time with the operator when you book. The shuttle serves the airport and West Edmonton Mall on all seven days, and downtown Edmonton from Monday to Friday.
Taxis wait at the airport, but there is no fixed fare for the long trip to Jasper. Do not assume that an Edmonton city fare tells you what a ride to Jasper costs. Ask for a price before you get in. A regional bus between Hinton and Jasper costs CA$15 per single ride.
Car hire and parking
Car hire desks serve YEG. Pickup is on the ground level of the parkade outside Door 8, and taxi and shuttle stops are nearby. Check the price and any one-way fee when you book, because rates vary.
In town, paid parking zones run from 1 May to 31 October at CA$7 per hour, and lots cost CA$28 per day. The long-stay lot on Stan Wright Drive costs CA$62 for 3 days, with a minimum of 3 days. You pay by QR code, machine or app, and signs and time limits still apply. Your park pass does not cover town parking. Adults aged 18 to 64 pay CA$12.25 for a day pass in 2026, and youth up to 17 enter free.
The Icefields Parkway needs a park pass even if you only drive it. From 1 November winter tires or chains are required, and also at other times when the road has snow or ice. Look at Alberta 511 before you set off, and fill your tank in Jasper.
Compare rental car prices at Edmonton Airport (YEG) for the drive to Jasper on Economybookings.com.
From Calgary (YYC) over the Icefields Parkway
No flights go from Calgary to Jasper. You drive from YYC by way of Banff and Lake Louise, then north on the 232 km Icefields Parkway. The road passes the Columbia Icefield and the two waterfalls on the Jasper side. Allow plenty of time for the stops, and do not count on mobile reception along the way. See our Icefields Parkway page for the stops and the winter rules.
By train and entry rules
VIA Rail stops at Jasper on its long routes between Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver and on the line between Jasper and Prince Rupert. The station is a historic building at 607 Connaught Drive, built in 1925. Dates and times change by season, so read the page for the Canadian Rockies by rail and check the timetable before you book.
Visitors from Germany who fly in need a valid passport and an eTA, which costs CA$7 (2026). US citizens do not need an eTA but must carry a valid passport or other suitable ID. If you arrive by land, sea or rail from a visa-exempt country, an eTA is normally not needed.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where to look next.
Getting to Jasper: frequently asked questions
Which airport is closest to Jasper?
There is no airport in Jasper. Most visitors use Edmonton International Airport (YEG). Calgary (YYC) is the other main choice.
How long does the shuttle from Edmonton take?
The shuttle schedule gives about 5 hours from the airport to Jasper and about 5.5 hours back. The fare is CA$99 for adults and CA$59 for children up to 12 each way, plus tax.
Do I need a car in Jasper?
You do not need one in town, but sights such as Maligne Lake, the falls and the icefield are far apart. A hire car or a guided tour makes them easier.
Is there a direct flight to Jasper?
No. Fly to Edmonton or Calgary and continue by road or rail.
Do I need winter tires?
On the Icefields Parkway you need winter tires or chains from 1 November, and at any time when the road has snow or ice.