Getting Around Jasper: Jasper Transit Buses, Maligne Shuttles, Free Parking & Park Passes

Unlike Banff and Lake Louise (where paid car parks and mandatory shuttle reservations now apply at top lakes), parking is still completely free across all of Jasper National Park, including downtown Jasper Townsite, Maligne Lake, Pyramid Island, Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls and Miette Hot Springs. Here is how to get around both with and without a car.

1. Without a Car: Municipal 'Jasper Transit' Buses & SunDog Lake Shuttles

If you arrive in Jasper by VIA Rail train or the Edmonton/Banff shuttle bus without a rental car, you have three easy ways to reach the sights from downtown Connaught Drive:

• 1. Municipal 'Jasper Transit' Buses: launched by the Municipality of Jasper (with modest single-ride fares; check the municipal site for current tickets), public hybrid buses depart from the Townsite / Train Station hub on fixed summer and year-round schedules to Pyramid Lake & Patricia Lake, the Jasper SkyTram, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (Lac Beauvert / Lake Annette) and Maligne Canyon.
• 2. The Maligne Valley Sightseeing & Hiker Shuttle (SunDog / Pursuit): if you have booked the Maligne Lake Spirit Island Boat Cruise, you can add a direct hotel-pickup shuttle from downtown Jasper that stops at Medicine Lake along the way.
• 3. Renting an E-Bike or Mountain Bike in Town (At Vicious Cycle, Source for Sports or Freewheel): downtown Jasper is surrounded by paved bike paths; in 20 to 35 minutes on an e-bike, you can pedal straight from town to Pyramid Island, Old Fort Point, Lake Annette and Edith, or the Valley of the Five Lakes.

2. Parks Canada Pass Rule & Renting a Car in Downtown Jasper

Remember that every vehicle stopping inside Jasper National Park must display a valid Parks Canada Daily Pass or annual Discovery Pass (check current pass rates on the official Parks Canada site); if you already bought a pass in Banff or Yoho for the same day, that exact pass covers Jasper too. Arriving on the VIA Rail train and want a car for just 1 or 2 days? Avis, Budget and National/Enterprise have rental offices right at or opposite the Jasper Train Station on Connaught Drive (book weeks ahead for summer).