Calgary Directory > Getting to Calgary by Air
CALGARY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (YYC)
2000 Airport Road NE, Calgary AB T2E 6W5, Canada
Phone: +1 403 735 1200
Fax: +1 403 735 1281
e-mail: calgaryairport@yyc.com (lost & found: infodesk@yyc.com)
Website: www.calgaryairport.com
LOCATION
The airport is located to the northeast of the city, some 17 km (10.5 miles) from the downtown centre. One terminal serves all flights. The drive to downtown Calgary normally takes 20 minutes by car but can be slower during the morning and evening rush hours when traffic is heavy.
DIRECTIONS TO DOWNTOWN CALGARY
- Exit airport onto Barlow Trail South
- At the lights, turn right onto McKnight Blvd. (West)
- Go through two sets of lights
- Turn onto Deerfoot Trail South (Hwy 2)
- Turn right onto Memorial Drive West
- Keep in the right hand lane and take 4th Avenue Southwest at the sign saying 'City Centre 4th Avenue'
- Follow the fly-over into downtown
AIRLINES
Calgary is served by over 30 airlines operating scheduled and charter flights, including:
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
Public Transit - Calgary Transit provides the lowest cost transport to downtown. The Route 57 bus travels from the airport to Whitehorn C-Train Station for connections to downtown via the light-rail system. Buses depart twice hourly between 05:56 - 00:16 from Bus Bay 20 outside of Meeting Area D on the Arrivals Level. A one-way adult fare is CAD$2.00 and you should have the exact fare available when boarding because the bus operators do not carry change. Ensure that you request a transfer ticket from the driver when boarding the bus so that you can transfer from bus to C-Train on the same ticket. The transfer remains valid for 90 minutes.
Taxi - Although not the cheapest form of transport, taxis are probably the most convenient way of getting around. They run day and night and should be easy to hail outside the terminal building. Fares are standardized and metered in all cabs and the journey to the city centre will be approximately CAD$25, although certain visitors may qualify for a flat rate fare depending on their destination. If you're going downtown during non-rush hour times, ask the driver to take the Barlow Trail route rather than McKnight/Deerfoot as it should be marginally cheaper.
Limousine - For the more discerning traveller who likes to arrive in style, then a limo is the only option. There are several companies in the Calgary area providing airport services by limousine and luxury sedan. Airport to downtown rates typically range from CAD$65 to CAD$150.
Shuttle - Many Calgary hotels provide their own complimentary shuttle services to and from the airport. If not, there are several commercial services available:
The Airporter Hotel Bus Service departs the airport for downtown hotels on the hour and half-hour between 06:30 and 23:30. The hotels serviced include the Delta Bow Valley, International, Westin, Sheraton Eau Claire Suites, Hawthorn Hotel & Suites, Ramada, Sandman Hotel, Fairmont Palliser, Marriott and Hyatt. Tickets are available from the Airporter Service Desk, Arrivals Level Meeting Place C. Adult fares are CAD$11 one-way and CAD$17 round-trip.
Airport Shuttle Express operates a 'ride-share' shuttle van service between the airport and any hotel, B&B, residence or office in Calgary and area. The service operates between 04:00 and 02:00 daily and usually costs less than a taxi. At the company's counter in Arrivals Level Meeting Place C opposite Canada Customs/International arrivals, an agent will assist you in boarding the next shuttle departing for your destination. The company also provides charter services to locations further afield such as Banff, Canmore and Kananaskis.
As a Greyhound ticket agent, Airport Shuttle Express also sells tickets for Greyhound bus services to other points in Canada and the United States, and can transport you between the airport and the downtown Greyhound Bus Station at a one-way cost of CAD$14.00 per person. Note that Greyhound services the airport directly at certain times of day on some routes to the north, incuding Edmonton.
Red Arrow Express Ltd operates a daily scheduled luxury passenger coach service between Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton and Fort McMurray. They provide a shuttle service between their North Calgary drop off location (Quality Inn Airport at 4804 Edmonton Trail NE) and the Calgary International Airport on all schedules (but reservations are required 24 hours in advance - Tel: 1-800-232-1958).
PARKING
Short Term - for durations up to one hour, parking on the ground level (Arrivals) of the parkade structure is the least expensive option. With no charge for the first 30 minutes and CAD$3.50 per half hour thereafter, it is primarily for customers requiring parking for passenger pick-up and drop-off.
Maximum vehicle height clearance in the parkade is 2.5m (2.0m in the parking row closest to the terminal building). Handicap parking is available but is subject to a 2.0m height clearance.
Long Term - for any stays over one hour, the long-term parkade is more cost effective. Parking rates are CAD$2 per 30 minute period with reduced daily and weekly rates. Maximum vehicle height clearance is 2.0m.
Overheight - parking for oversized vehicles is conveniently located adjacent to the parkade and is accessible by a designated walkway. Overheight parking is available for any parking duration and reduced weekly rates are offered. Handicap parking is available adjacent to the Overheight parking entry.
Parking payment methods - Cash, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, American Express
Parking services - lost car assistance, tow truck call-out, complimentary baggage carts
Off-airport parking - there are long-term satellite parking lots located near the airport which are cheaper than on-airport parking and offer a free 24-hr shuttle to the airport. Rates for Park'N Fly (Tel: 403-250-6533) at 9100 Barlow Trail NE are CAD$8.95 daily / CAD$53.70 weekly. Park & Jet at 9707 Barlow Trail NE (Tel: 403-226-0010) provides a similar service for CAD$7.75 daily / CAD$46.50 weekly. Check both companies' web sites for the latest discount coupons and offers.
CAR RENTAL
On-airport - The major car rental companies have desks in the airport's Car Rental Centre located between the terminal and the parkade, on the Departures level between bus bays 7 and 8.
- Alamo: 403-543-3985
- Avis: 403-221-1700
- Budget: 403-226-1550
- Hertz: 403-221-1676
- National: 403-221-1690
- Thrifty: 403-221-1961
Off-airport - Enterprise Rent-A-Car (Tel: 403-216-3426) has a counter in the lobby of the Best Western Port O'Call hotel which is located seven minutes away from the airport. Call them on arrival and they will pick you up from the airport by shuttle.
Discount Car & Truck Rentals (Tel: 403-299-1202) serves the airport from its location at 3701B 23rd St NE. Call toll-free 1-888-261-7368 from the airport for shuttle pickup.
Dollar Rent A Car (Tel: 403-221-1888) also offers an airport pick up service. Call on arrival for the shuttle.
AIRPORT HOTELS
The Delta Calgary Airport hotel is located within the Calgary International Airport complex and is connected to the Departures level via a covered walkway. |