Calgary Layover Guide (YYC)

What are you looking for in YYC?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Calgary Airport (YYC) is an international airport located in Calgary, Alberta. It’s situated about 17 km (10.5 miles) from downtown Calgary. The airport officially opened in 1938. Calgary is one of Canada’s largest cities and a major hub for business and tourism. Known for its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, it offers stunning natural scenery and year-round outdoor activities, making it an attractive destination for both residents and visitors.

Can you leave Calgary Airport (YYC) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
You can exit YYC if you hold a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA). Some nationalities require a transit visa even for short layovers. To leave the airport’s sterile area, ensure you’ve obtained the correct entry document in advance, as border officers may deny entry without proper authorization. (more info)

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

• Calgary Tower Rise above the city on this iconic observation tower offering 360-degree views, interactive displays, and a rotating restaurant, perfect for panoramic photos before continuing your journey through Calgary’s dynamic core. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Taxi (~20 min) / Calgary Transit bus 300 (~60 min))
• Stephen Avenue Walk Stroll this bustling pedestrian street lined with historic architecture, art installations, trendy boutiques, and cozy cafes; a lively promenade showcasing Calgary’s heritage and contemporary culture ideal for a quick exploration. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Taxi (~20 min) / Calgary Transit bus 300 (~60 min))
• Glenbow Museum Discover Canadian art, Indigenous artifacts, and thought-provoking exhibitions at this premier museum, complete with dynamic galleries, interactive displays, and rotating collections that offer insight into Alberta’s history and contemporary creativity. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi (~20 min) / Calgary Transit bus 300 (~60 min))
• Central Library Explore avant-garde architecture and a stunning glass façade at Calgary’s Central Library, featuring welcoming reading nooks, public art, and an extensive book collection; a serene retreat for bibliophiles or visitors. (Time required: 45 minutes. / Airport to here: Taxi (~20 min) / Calgary Transit bus 300 (~60 min))
• Prince’s Island Park Relax amidst leafy pathways, vibrant flower displays, and riverside views at Prince’s Island Park; tranquil green space offers art installations, food trucks, and events across the Bow from downtown Calgary. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Taxi (~20 min) / Calgary Transit bus 300 (~60 min))
• Heritage Park Historical Village Step back in time at Canada’s living history museum, exploring over 180 historic buildings, costumed interpreters, and vintage steam trains that recreate life in Western Canada from 1860s through 1950s. (Time required: 2–3 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi (~25 min) / Calgary Transit bus (~60 min))
• Calgary Zoo Encounter over 100 species of animals at Calgary Zoo, including indigenous wildlife and exotic creatures, stroll themed botanical gardens, and engage with interactive exhibits dedicated to conservation and biodiversity education. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi (~25 min) / Calgary Transit bus (~75 min))
• Studio Bell Immerse yourself in Canada’s music heritage at Studio Bell, award-winning architecture, exploring interactive galleries, historic recordings, and hands-on exhibits showcasing instruments and performances that celebrate national and local musical legacies. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi (~20 min) / Calgary Transit bus 300 (~60 min))

Things to Do in Calgary Airport (YYC)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
Calgary International features four main lounges: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge (Concourse B), WestJet Elevation Lounge (Concourse C), Aspire Lounge Transborder (Concourse D) and Aspire Lounge International (Concourse E). Expect complimentary Wi-Fi, light bites, hot and cold drinks, charging stations, shower facilities at Aspire, business areas and quiet zones for work or rest. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
YYC offers two in-terminal hotels just steps from the gates: Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal and Delta Hotels Calgary Airport. Both provide spacious, sound-proof rooms with luxury bedding, free Wi-Fi, fitness centres, indoor pools, on-site dining and 24-hour front desk. Park-and-Fly packages and direct access via covered walkways ensure seamless layovers and early flights. view all or book an airport hotel online

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Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
Designated quiet zones exist near Gates 201-205 and between Concourses B and D, offering padded benches, recliners, power outlets and free Wi-Fi. No formal sleeping pods, but travelers often nap on reclined seating or bring travel pillows and earplugs. Public restrooms and charging stations nearby make these spots ideal for short snoozes.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: YYC provides unlimited free Wi-Fi throughout all terminals. Simply select the “YYC-Free-WiFi” network—no password required. Eduroam is available for academic travelers. In-lounge connections may offer higher speeds. Wi-Fi persists across concourses, lounges and public areas, supporting streaming, video calls and browsing with seamless handoff.

SIM/eSIM Card: Major carriers Rogers, Fido, Bell and Telus operate kiosks in the Arrivals level where you can purchase prepaid SIM cards and activate service. Convenience shops like 7-Eleven and Relay also stock pay-as-you-go SIMs. For eSIM users, Airalo and similar providers enable instant global plans via app download before landing, starting around C$15. » buy a global esim card for Layover Guide, that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Taxi stands are on the Arrivals level at Doors 1, 9 and 15. Metered fares apply, with downtown trips costing about C$40–45 under normal conditions. A C$5 airport access fee (outbound) and C$4.50 (inbound) plus GST apply. Vehicles seat up to five, and vans are available for extra luggage; credit cards accepted.

Train: No direct train service at YYC. Instead, take Calgary Transit Route 100 bus from YYC to Saddletowne Station, then transfer to the Blue Line LRT for downtown access. Blue Line trains run every 6–12 minutes with service from early morning till late night. more info

Bus: Calgary Transit Route 300 BRT Airport/City Centre provides rapid bus service between both domestic and international terminals and downtown via Centre Street. It runs daily from about 04:24 to 00:21, every 23–30 minutes, takes ~55 minutes end-to-end, and uses low-floor accessible coaches. Fares match regular bus rates. more info

Shuttle: Red Arrow Motorcoach and other shared-ride shuttles serve YYC’s Ground Transportation area near Doors 4 & 5. Customer desks on the Arrivals level facilitate bookings. One-way fares start around C$20–25 to downtown; shuttles run frequently, accommodate luggage, are wheelchair accessible, and connect to Banff, Canmore and key hotels.

Car rentals: All major rental brands—Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Discount, Routes and more—operate from the on-site Rental Car Facility just off the Domestic Terminal. A free courtesy shuttle (Door 6) runs continually. Desks open 24/7; vehicles range from compacts to SUVs; extras like GPS and insurance available. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: YYC’s parking options include two next-to-terminal parkades (P1 for domestic, P2 for international/U.S.), Value Parkade, Economy Lot for long stays, and short-term curbside lots. Rates vary from C$3/hour (short-term) to weekly discounts in long-term. EV charging, accessible stalls, over-height lots, luggage carts and free vehicle services are provided.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage and coats can be stored at Information Desks: Domestic Arrivals near Door 9 (07:00 – 00:00) and International Arrivals near Door 15 (24/7). Fees per 24 hours range by item: carry-on C$10.50, checked bag C$11.50, oversize C$15.00, coats C$10.00 and small items C$7.00. Up to 30 days storage. » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Calgary Airport (YYC) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks