Guides › Alberta, Canada (Rockies) › Calgary, Alberta
City guide

Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is the largest city in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806, making Calgary the third-largest city and the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Canada.

Type CityPopulation 1,306,784Metro Area Population 1,481,806

Why go

  • City in Alberta, Canada.
  • 8 curated must-see attractions on record, including Scotiabank Saddledome.
  • 5 recommended spots to eat and drink.
  • Served by Calgary International Airport (YYC).

History

Calgary is the largest city in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806, making Calgary the third-largest city and the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Canada.

Must-see attractions

555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2W1
Outdoor
7305 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary, Alberta
Outdoor
2191 Douglasbank Crescent SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 2J4
Outdoor
1 Heritage Pointe Dr, Heritage Pointe, AB T1S 4H1
Outdoor
1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2W1
Outdoor
110 6 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0G2
Outdoor

Eat & drink

Restaurant — 736 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0A9
Indoor
Restaurant
Indoor
Restaurant
Indoor
Restaurant
Indoor
Restaurant — 25 Prince's Island Park, SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0R1
Indoor

Airports

Calgary International Airport (YYC) 9.4 km to the centre
2000 Airport Rd NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6W5 — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 15 airlines (WestJet, Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines…) · direct flights to 59 destinations incl. Edmonton, London, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 15 airlines, 59 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Cheadle Airport (TIL) 30 km to the centre
Cheadle, AB, CA — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Chestermere (Kirkby Field) Airport 21 km to the centre
Chestermere, AB, CA
Outdoor

Regional airports

Further out, but often the cheapest way in — the airports the low-cost carriers use. Each links to its own town's guide for getting from there into the city.

Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) 47 km to the centre
AB, CA — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 27 airlines (Sky Express, TAM Brazilian Airlines, Oceanair, American Airlines…) · direct flights to 49 destinations incl. Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Curitiba, Brasilia, Campinas… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 47 km from Calgary · Sky Express, TAM Brazilian Airlines, Oceanair · Getting around Rio de Janeiro →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 27 airlines, 49 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor

Getting there by ferry

S.S. Moyie Historical Paddlewheeler
Ferry terminal · 8.6 km from the centre · Heritage Park
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Calgary International Airport (YYC); 1 other airport serves the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: YYC has direct flights to 59 destinations on 15 airlines (incl. Edmonton, London, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas…). Moyie Historical Paddlewheeler, 8.6 km). Moyie Historical Paddlewheeler, 8.6 km). By water: 1 ferry terminal within 20 km (nearest: S.S. Moyie Historical Paddlewheeler, 8.6 km).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Calgary, Alberta. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

CTrain, bus · CTrain light rail and buses; the downtown CTrain zone is free. · Fares: My Fare app or ticket · Airport: Route 300 BRT from the airport to downtown
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Calgary airport to Banff via Canmore, hourly, about two hours. · Banff, Alberta guide →
Calgary airport and downtown hotels to Banff, continuing to Lake Louise. · Banff, Alberta guide →
Sunshine Coach → Banff, Alberta
Free Bus Transportation from Calgary and Canmore to Sunshine Village with the purchase of a lift ticket. (child ticket excluded) · Banff, Alberta guide →
Calgary airport to Canmore, about 90 minutes. · Canmore, Alberta guide →
Several daily departures via Red Deer. · Edmonton, Alberta guide →
Premium coach with wide seats and wifi, about three and a half hours. · Edmonton, Alberta guide →
Calgary airport to Lake Louise via Banff, about three hours. · Lake Louise, Alberta guide →
Coach / shuttle operator

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Fractional · Praetor 500, Citation CJ3+, Legacy 450 · Canada's fractional-ownership operator, based in Calgary.
Charter, management · Light to large-cabin · Toronto-based charter and aircraft management.
Charter · Learjet, Challenger · Vancouver-based charter operator.
Charter, management, FBO · Managed fleet, Challenger, Global · Canada's largest business-aviation company: charter, management and FBOs in Toronto, Montréal, Calgary and Vancouver.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.

Tours & experiences

Walking Tour