Calgary Airport Transportation
All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides since 1999.
Calgary International Airport offers several transportation options connecting the airport with downtown Calgary, nearby cities, and the wider Alberta region. Travelers can choose between public buses, taxis, ride-hailing services, rental cars, and private vehicles.
The airport is located about 17 km northeast of downtown Calgary, and travel time to the city center usually ranges between 20 and 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Because the airport is not directly connected to the city’s rail system, most passengers choose either bus services or taxis to reach downtown Calgary.
Buses and Shuttle Services
Public transportation from Calgary Airport is mainly provided by Calgary Transit, which operates several bus routes connecting the airport with the city.
Public Bus – Route 300 Airport BRT
The most popular bus route is Route 300 Airport Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which connects the airport directly with downtown Calgary.
Key details
- Location: Bus stops outside the Arrivals Level at the terminal curbside
- Main destinations: Downtown Calgary, City Hall, Centre Street
- Travel time: About 30–40 minutes to downtown
- Frequency: Every 20–30 minutes
- Price: Approximately $11 CAD (airport boarding pass)
The Route 300 ticket also includes free transfers on Calgary Transit buses and the CTrain for the rest of the day, making it a good value if you plan to continue traveling within the city.
Route 100 Bus
Route 100 connects the airport with McKnight-Westwinds Station, where passengers can transfer to Calgary’s light rail system.
Key details
- Location: Bus stops at the Arrivals Level
- Destination: McKnight-Westwinds CTrain station
- Travel time: About 25 minutes
- Price: Around $3.70 CAD
Route 100 is often cheaper than the Airport BRT if you are comfortable transferring to the CTrain light rail network.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing Services (Uber / Lyft)
Taxis and ride-hailing services are among the most convenient transport options from Calgary Airport.
Airport Taxis
Licensed taxis operate from official taxi stands outside the terminal.
Key details
- Location: Taxi ranks outside the Arrivals Level
- Travel time to downtown: Around 20–25 minutes
- Average price: $40–$45 CAD
Most taxis accept credit cards and mobile payments.
Calgary taxis typically charge flat rates to downtown, which can make them predictable and convenient for visitors.
Ride-Hailing Services
Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft operate at Calgary Airport.
Key details
- Pickup location: Designated ride-share areas outside the terminal
- Average price to downtown: $30–$40 CAD
- Travel time: About 20–25 minutes
Ride-hailing services can be slightly cheaper than taxis during off-peak hours, but prices may increase during busy periods.
Metro / Train / Tram
Calgary Airport currently does not have a direct rail or metro connection.
However, travelers can access the Calgary CTrain light rail system by first taking a bus from the airport.
Connection to the CTrain
Passengers can take Bus Route 100 to McKnight-Westwinds Station, which connects with Calgary’s light rail network.
The CTrain provides convenient access to:
- Downtown Calgary
- Stampede Park
- University of Calgary
- Major residential areas
If you are traveling with heavy luggage, taking the Airport BRT (Route 300) may be easier than transferring between bus and train.
Car Rental
Renting a car is a popular option for travelers planning to explore Calgary, Banff National Park, and the Canadian Rockies.
Car rental companies are located in the Rental Car Centre inside the terminal building, near the arrivals area.
See more information
Major rental companies include:
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Avis
- Budget
- National
- Alamo
Typical Rental Prices
Average daily rental rates:
- Economy car: $45–$70 CAD
- Compact car: $60–$80 CAD
- SUV: $90–$150 CAD
Popular Driving Destinations
Many visitors rent cars to travel to nearby attractions such as:
- Banff National Park – about 1 hour 30 minutes
- Lake Louise – about 2 hours
- Canmore – about 1 hour
- Downtown Calgary – about 25 minutes
If you plan to visit the Rocky Mountains, renting a car from Calgary Airport is often the easiest and most flexible option.
Getting to the Airport by Private Car
Calgary International Airport is easily accessible by car via several major highways.
Main Road Connections
- Deerfoot Trail (Highway 2) – the main north–south highway in Calgary
- Airport Trail NE – direct access road to the airport
- Stoney Trail (Ring Road) – connects the airport with surrounding suburbs
Typical Driving Times
- Downtown Calgary: 20–25 minutes
- Banff: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Canmore: 1 hour
- Edmonton: about 3 hours
The airport provides multiple parking options including short-term, long-term, economy, and overheight parking areas.
During winter months, allow extra travel time when driving to the airport, as snow and icy conditions can affect traffic on Calgary highways.
Transfers
If you want private transportation to and from Calgary Airport, you can book a transfer.
Transfer between terminals
Passengers have several options to transfer between terminals while traveling through YYC.
Find more information here.