Getting around · Calgary · Canada
Getting around Calgary
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ryan Quan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Downtown, the Beltline, East Village and Kensington are walkable and linked by river pathways. Calgary Transit's two CTrain light-rail lines (Red and Blue) cross downtown along 7th Avenue, where rides between stations in the core are free. Beyond the centre the city is spread out and car-oriented. Not for central Calgary, which is walkable and served by the CTrain.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Tram
- Airports
- YYC
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
- Travel pass
- Calgary Transit day pass
Ways to get around
Tram
The CTrain Red and Blue lines link downtown with the northwest, northeast and south, including stations near the zoo, Stampede Park and Chinook Centre. Rides along 7th Avenue downtown are free.
Buy tickets at station machines or with the transit app before boarding outside the free zone.
Bus
Calgary Transit buses fill the gaps, including the Route 300 express to the airport and MAX rapid bus lines across the city.
Cycling
Calgary has one of North America's largest urban pathway networks, with hundreds of kilometres of paved trails along the Bow and Elbow rivers; e-bikes and e-scooters can be rented by app in summer.
Walking
The +15 skywalk network lets you walk between many downtown buildings above street level, sheltered from winter weather.
Ride-hailing
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely used, especially for evenings and trips to the airport.
Car
A car is the easiest way to reach Heritage Park, Canada Olympic Park and the mountains; downtown parking is paid.
Tickets and passes
Calgary Transit day pass
A day pass covers unlimited CTrain and bus rides and pays off after about three trips.
From the airport
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is about 15 km northeast of downtown. The Route 300 express bus runs to downtown in about 30–45 minutes; taxis and ride-hailing take about 20–30 minutes. Scheduled shuttle coaches run from the airport directly to Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise.
Do you need a car?
Not for central Calgary, which is walkable and served by the CTrain. A car makes the Rockies far easier: Banff, Kananaskis, Drumheller and Lake Louise are all best explored with your own wheels, though shuttles and tours cover the main sights.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Banff | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car | Car via the Trans-Canada Highway, or airport and downtown shuttle coaches |
| Canmore | About 1 hour 15 minutes by car | Car via the Trans-Canada Highway |
| Lake Louise and Moraine Lake | About 2 hours by car | Car to Lake Louise, then Parks Canada shuttle; or a guided tour |
| Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum | About 1 hour 45 minutes by car | Car via Highway 9 |
| Kananaskis Country | About 1 hour 15 minutes by car | Car via the Trans-Canada and Highway 40 |
| Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump | About 2 hours by car | Car via Highway 2 |
| Dinosaur Provincial Park | About 2 hours 30 minutes by car | Car via the Trans-Canada Highway |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Calgary?
Not for central Calgary, which is walkable and served by the CTrain. A car makes the Rockies far easier: Banff, Kananaskis, Drumheller and Lake Louise are all best explored with your own wheels, though shuttles and tours cover the main sights.
+How do you get from the airport to Calgary?
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is about 15 km northeast of downtown. The Route 300 express bus runs to downtown in about 30–45 minutes; taxis and ride-hailing take about 20–30 minutes. Scheduled shuttle coaches run from the airport directly to Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise.
+What is the best way to get around Calgary?
Tram: The CTrain Red and Blue lines link downtown with the northwest, northeast and south, including stations near the zoo, Stampede Park and Chinook Centre. Rides along 7th Avenue downtown are free.