Calgary Airport to Downtown - Route 300, CTrain, Taxi Costs

Calgary International Airport is about 17 kilometres northeast of downtown, and every practical route into the city is by road. Here is how the options compare, and how to reach each hotel in this guide.

Calgary Transit: cheapest, with a catch

Two bus routes serve the terminal. Route 300 BRT Airport/City Centre runs direct to downtown, but boarding at the airport requires a premium airport fare rather than the standard ticket; the premium has changed several times, so check the current price at the stop or in the Calgary Transit app before relying on it. Route 100 connects the airport with McKnight-Westwinds CTrain station, where the Blue Line continues downtown, all on the regular adult fare of $4.00 (2026 rate, valid 90 minutes). The combined trip takes about 40 to 50 minutes and is the cheapest way into the city by a wide margin.

Taxis and ride-hailing

Taxis wait outside arrivals around the clock. Downtown runs about 20 to 25 minutes in normal traffic and typically costs CAD 40 to 50 on the meter. Uber and other ride-hailing apps operate from marked pickup zones and usually undercut the meter slightly; follow the app’s directions to the correct door. Winter weather is the real variable in Calgary: a snowfall can double travel times, so pad any airport-bound return trip accordingly.

Hotel shuttles

Seven of the ten hotels in this guide run free shuttles to and from the terminal; none of them serve downtown. The Westin Calgary Airport covers its two kilometres on a scheduled loop. Hampton Inn by Hilton Calgary Airport North, Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Airport, Holiday Inn Express Airport Calgary and Sandman Signature Calgary Airport Hotel run theirs 24 hours; Sandman publishes exact pickup points (domestic: Arrivals Level, Door 4, Pillar 17; international: Door 16, Pillar 37). Hotel 11 by Sonesta Calgary Airport sends its shuttle on demand from the airport and hourly from the hotel, and Hyatt Place Calgary Airport operates between 5:00 am and midnight. Courtyard by Marriott Calgary Airport requires shuttle reservations at least 24 hours ahead. The two in-terminal hotels, the Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel and Delta Hotels Calgary Airport In-Terminal, need no transport at all.

Onward to the mountains

Many YYC stopovers point west: Banff is about 140 kilometres from the airport, roughly 90 minutes by car on Highway 1, and scheduled mountain shuttles depart from the terminal. If your itinerary is airport-to-Rockies, an airport-area hotel with free parking, such as the Westin or the shuttle-ring properties, makes a better base than downtown. For a short city visit between flights, weigh the round trip against simply resting at the airport; our day rooms guide covers the alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a train from Calgary Airport to downtown?

Not directly. The CTrain does not reach the airport: you connect by bus. Route 100 links the terminal with McKnight-Westwinds station on the Blue Line for a regular $4.00 adult fare, about 40 to 50 minutes to downtown in total. A future Airport Transit Connector is planned but years away.

How much is a taxi from Calgary Airport to downtown?

Budget roughly CAD 40 to 50 for the 20 to 25 minute ride, more in snow or rush hour. Uber and other ride-hailing apps serve the airport from marked pickup zones and usually price slightly below the metered taxi rate.

What is the cheapest way downtown from YYC?

Calgary Transit. Route 100 plus the Blue Line CTrain costs the regular $4.00 adult fare (2026), valid for 90 minutes. Route 300 BRT runs direct to the city centre but boarding at the airport carries a premium airport fare, so confirm the current price against your group size before choosing it.

Information last verified: July 29, 2026