Calgary Transportation

Calgary International Airport is the fourth busiest airport in Canada.

The Airlines that serve the city are linked to Canada, the United States on America, Britain and Germany and Europe directly and including Charter flights. .One can fly to the Pacific and Asia via Vancouver, or directly to Mexico, Cuba and many places in the Caribbean.

Calgary's Light Rail Transit (LRT) sysyem was begun in 1978 and completed in 1986, just in time for the 1988 Olympics. It now extends as far North as Crowfoot Center in NW Calgary and as far south as Bridlewood. It does go through most of Calgary's tourist stops. This includes Stampede Park, Downtown Calgary, Chinook Mall, Fish Creek, the Uof C, SAIT, Jubilee and the Calgary Zoo. It does not however extend to the Calgary International Airport.

I usually take a taxi twice a week, to and from the airport. Two companies distinguish themselves: Associated (403 299-1111) and Checker (403 299-9999). Both companies are computer dispatched, readily accept credit cards with onboard authorization, have their drivers dress in uniforms or suits and drive the requested route without argument. The second tier, the other companies that serve the airport, have been known to argue with my driving directions and sometimes plead for cash payments instead of accepting credit (although they always do accept credit in the end).

There are two taxi waiting areas on the departures levels of Calgary’s airport; one for Air Canada and one for International / West Jet. I’ve never seen much of a line here and seldom have to wait longer than five minutes for a cab. The only exception has been when arriving late at night during Stampede week when all then cabs are make trips to/from bars downtown.

Although most travellers on this forum use the least expensive method of travel to get from point A to point B, I always want to give the other perspective.

When travelling for business, rather than looking for the least expensive fare, I also look at the product. A taxi from the airport to downtown cost $35 CAD, and the sedan we took was $42 CAD. For that small difference, we rode in a comfortable town car versus squishing into a Corolla.

Dov, our driver was very knowledgeable, told us all about Calgary on our 15 minute ride from the airport to downtown, and was a great mini tour operator. He also confirmed the ride home, took our cell numbers to call in case there was traffic issue that would require leaving earlier back to the airport, and offered fresh bottled water and the paper.

All in all, when travelling on business, I highly recommend this method!

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For my husband's birthday, we did a road trip to Calgary: a scenic 12-hour drive from downtown Vancouver, via the Coquihalla and TransCanada (#1) highways. The federal and provincial governments have been twinning the TransCanada throughout the BC Interior.
If you plan on taking this same route this summer, here are a few tips:

- There's a LOT of construction between Salmon Arm and Banff, especially in the bits of single lane highway. Be prepared to stop a lot. It will likely extend your travel time by a few hours.

- A bridge is being constructed in Kicking Horse pass. You will likely have to stop for at least 5 minutes while opposing traffic is let through. At the worst of times, the delay can be as long as 45 mins (usually between 3-4pm).

- This same bridge in Kicking Horse Pass is a great speed trap. Watch your speed coming down from the hill, just past the construction site, unless you want a ticket.

- The highways are DEAD on Mondays! If you can afford to take an extra day or two off, wait until the work week before heading back to BC.

Although we traveled mostly by car, on occasion we used
Light rail system which is free within downtown area.
Trains were packed most of the time but seemed to run
on schedule. Train personnel and local travelers very helpful

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Well, after using some of the busier airports around the world, and having to spend along time waiting to get through customs, Calgary was a pleasnat experience. it might be different at busier times, but from what ive been told, it never takes more than 30 minutes. me, I was able to get straight to a desk, few questions later and I was through ready to collect my bags!

Really cannot fault Calgary Airport for the service, just BA planes seem to get the longest walk to get to the customs officers!!!!

Very clean, easy to navigate and easy to out of, great system!

If you can avoid it, do not take taxis in this city, unless it is for very short distances. Calgary is HUGE - we may not have that many people, but we take up a lot of space. From downtown to a suburb, you may be set back over $30 CND. Our public transport is reasonable for the inner city, and the C-Train would take you to many places you'd need from the downtown core. Unfortunately C-Train services end soon after midnight, however we do not have the most jumping nightlife, so the likelihood of this being too much of an issue is minimal - unless you are a hardcore party animal.

If you are staying in Calgary and touring surrounding area, such a picturesque Kananaskis Country, Banff, or Jasper, you might as well rent yourself a vehicle. Although tour operators run to these area and the Greyhound service from Calgary is decent, I think you might prefer the flexability of a vehicle. The Rockies are fantastic to just drive around, rather than being stuck in a tourist hotspot.

Within Calgary, I wouldn't bother to try hitchhiking - unless you are outside one of the many clubs later at night and look like a drunk fool, so someone will take pity on you. As for outside of Calgary, I have never tried to hitchhike, so I don't know about success rates. But I would not risk it.