Going-to-the-Sun Road kalkylator

A 5-night Glacier trip for 2 in August — Kalispell base, the Waterton day-trip, no Red Bus, no flights — runs about $2,073 all-in: $919 of lodging (5 nights × $175 × the August peak), $59 of entries ($35 park pass + $2 Sun Road vehicle reservation + $22 Parks Canada for Waterton), $75 of boat cruises and $1,020 of food (6 days × 2 × $85). The same nights cost $2,388 from Whitefish and $2,677 in-park, while September drops the bill to about $1,898 — and June gambles on a Sun Road still snowed shut over Logan Pass. Drive in early (the ~$2 vehicle reservation covers the late-June-to-mid-September window) or take the Red Bus ($50-$120/person) if lot anxiety wins — and remember: the $80 pass breaks even on the third $35 entry, and Waterton needs passports for everyone.

Lodging — 5 Kalispell nights × $175 × August peak

$919

Entries — $35 pass + $2 reservation + $22 Waterton

$59

Tours — one boat cruise each ($30-$45pp)

$75

Food — 6 days × 2 people × $85

$1,020

Trip total — Kalispell base ★

$2,073

Same trip based in Whitefish

$2,388

Same trip in-park (West Glacier/Apgar)

$2,677

Verdict

Base in Kalispell, book the earliest Sun Road block and drive in before the lots fill — take the Red Bus if parking anxiety wins, and the $80 pass pays for itself on the third $35 entry.