Car Rental at Calgary Airport

Airport travel guide

The capital of the province of Alberta, Calgary is one of the most interesting cities in Canada. A modern metropolis, it is a hub of culture and entertainment, but also offers easy access to some of Canada’s most majestic scenic destinations. With that in mind, here are four of the most interesting attractions in and around Calgary:

• Glenbow Museum. One of the most impressive museums in all of Canada, the Glenbow is a mecca for lovers of art, history, and anthropology. Mainly focused on the history of Alberta, the museum offers interesting collections dedicated to such varied subjects as indigenous Canada, the arrival of Europeans, the military, the mounted police, and more.
• Telus Spark. Another fascinating museum in Calgary, Telus Spark is dedicated to science, innovation, and discovery. With a special focus on the audiences of children and young adults, many of the museum’s exhibitions are interactive and digital. Sections of the museum include the Being Human area, Creative Kids Museum, and HD Digital Dome Theater. The museum is in the northeastern part of Calgary near Tom Campbell’s Hill Natural Park and the Calgary Zoo.
• Stampede Park. The Calgary Stampede is one of the main reasons why many people visit the city. Taking place every July, this self-styled ‘Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’ is a ten-day celebration filled with rodeos, shows, and concerts, which attracts more than one million visitors every year. However, even if your visit to the city doesn’t coincide with the Stampede, you can still catch a glimpse of its magic by visiting Stampede Park which is home to the Boyce Theater and other venues and hosts frequent events throughout the year.
• Chinese Cultural Center. Perhaps the largest of its kind in North America, the Chinese Cultural Center is located in and the representation of Calgary’s own Chinatown. Having celebrated its 30th birthday in 2022, the center provides a home to the fascinating Chinese Artifacts Museum and also frequently hosts various cultural events and performances. 
• Calgary Tower. Although perhaps not quite as internationally celebrated as its counterpart the CN Tower in Toronto, this is all the same one of the most beloved landmarks of Calgary. Built to celebrate Canada’s centennial, initially known as the Husky Tower, and now more than 50 years old, it entertains visitors with a very nice restaurant, and, above all, the stunning panoramic views from its observation platform.
• Banff. The most famous national park in Canada, Banff is one of the main reasons why people travel to Calgary. Made up of awe-inspiring mountains, glaciers, alpine lakes, and forests, this is the Canada of postcards and tourism ads. The national park is famous for its winter sports opportunities but is equally nice to visit during the summer months when it becomes a prime destination for trekking, climbing, and kayaking. The southern entrance of Banff near the town of Canmore is about 110 km (68 miles) west of Calgary and can be reached in just over an hour by car.

Top international routes

• Vancouver
• Toronto
• Edmonton
• Kelowna
• Winnipeg
• Regina
• Saskatoon
• Abbotsford
• Montreal
• Ottawa

Main airlines

WestJet, Air Canada, Air Transat, Flair Airlines, United Airlines, and Air North

Terminals

The two passenger terminals are T1 or the domestic terminal and T2 or the international terminal. T1 is further divided into Concourses A, B, and C, and T2 is further divided into Concourses E and F. The YYC LINK passenger shuttle is the fastest and easiest way to move between terminals.

Location

Calgary Airport is about 17 km (11 miles) northeast of downtown Calgary. Airport Trail, Deerfoot Trail, and Memorial Drive are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.

Most popular types of rental car

• Large cars - from $45 per day
• SUVs - from $48 per day
• Medium cars - from $42 per day
• Small cars - from $42 per day
• Premium cars - from $80 per day
• Vans - from $109 per day
• Convertibles - from $91 per day

Car rental desks

Most are in the separate Rental Car Center building across the road from the airport terminal building. Some other car rental offices are further off-site, and a free shuttle bus running from Bus Bay #6 will take you there.

Services and facilities

You’ll find many restaurants, cafés, and snack bars, as well as different stores, bookshops, and gift shops. The duty-free outlet is available to international passengers. There are also ATMs, currency exchange offices, two on-site hotels, baby changing rooms, many children’s play areas for different ages, a medical service, a pharmacy, a pet relief area, spa, showers, a barber shop, an interfaith chapel, and the Calgary International SpacePort where you can learn about aeronautics and space. Luggage storage is on the arrivals level and is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The airport is well equipped for passengers with reduced mobility or visual impairment. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

Gas Plus Inc., located at 5216 6 Street, can be reached in about six minutes. There are many other gas stations nearby and on the way to the city.

Popular one-way rentals

• Vancouver (990 km / 615 mi). It’s a long drive to the largest city of the neighboring British Columbia province, but the trip is very much worth it. One of the best places to live in North America according to many surveys, Vancouver is also a fascinating city full of cultural things to see and outdoor activities to try.
• Edmonton (288 km / 179 mi). The capital of the Alberta province (in which Calgary is also located), Edmonton is the northernmost large city of Canada. Although mainly known as a center of the oil industry, it also has plenty for a tourist to enjoy like the Art Gallery of Alberta and TELUS World of Science Museum.
• Saskatoon (579 km / 360 mi). The largest city of Saskatchewan province, Saskatoon is flying under the radar of most visitors of Canada. Those who do venture to the city in the Canadian prairies are rewarded with unique little museums and beautiful walks of the Meewasin Trail that runs along the city of the same name.
• Seattle (1,147 km / 713 mi). The largest city in the state of Washington, Seattle is the home of Jimi Hendrix, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and many other world-famous bands and musicians. This legacy and the creative spirit of the city continues to live on in its museums, cultural centers, and performance venues. To travel from Canada to the United States, you’ll have to cross an international border, so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it.
• Winnipeg (1,333 km / 828 mi). Often called the cultural capital of the Prairies, Winnipeg is one of the most sophisticated cities in Canada. It is home to the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Graffiti Gallery, and Urban Shaman Contemporary Aboriginal Art Center, as well as the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the Airforce Heritage Museum.
• Lethbridge (224 km / 140 mi). The third most-populous city of Alberta, Lethbridge doesn’t have the same tourist pull as Calgary and Edmonton. What it lacks in size, however, it more than makes up for with small town hospitality, historic sites, a large Japanese garden, and proximity to Waterton Lakes National Park.