Calgary Airport is a straightforward 17 km from downtown. Transport costs are reasonable for a major Canadian city, and there is a budget bus option if you want to save.
Current Prices in 2026
All prices in Canadian dollars (CAD).
Calgary Transit Route 300 (BRT): CAD 3.60 per adult to downtown via the Blue Line CTrain connection. The journey takes 40-50 minutes including the transfer. Children under 5 ride free. This is the budget option and works well during transit hours.
Uber / Lyft: CAD 20-40 to downtown depending on demand. Off-peak rides typically run CAD 20-28. Rush hour and bad weather push fares higher. This is the cheapest car-based option most of the time.
Taxi: CAD 40-55 to downtown using the meter. Taxis are predictable but more expensive than rideshare. Credit cards accepted.
Pre-booked private transfer: CAD 55-80 to downtown for a standard sedan. The price is fixed at booking. SUVs and premium vehicles cost more.
Costs Beyond Downtown
- University of Calgary: CAD 25-35 by taxi (15-20 min)
- South Calgary / Macleod Trail: CAD 45-60 by taxi (25-35 min)
- Banff: CAD 60-80 per person by shuttle, CAD 180-280 by private transfer (90-120 min)
- Lake Louise: CAD 250-350 by private transfer (2-2.5 hours)
- Canmore: CAD 150-220 by private transfer (70-90 min)
- Kananaskis: CAD 140-200 by private transfer (60-80 min)
When the Bus Makes Sense
For solo travelers heading to a hotel near the CTrain line, the Route 300 bus is genuine value at CAD 3.60. The service is clean, safe, and runs every 15-30 minutes. For two people, it is still cheaper than any car option. For groups of three or more with luggage, a rideshare split evenly starts to make more sense given the convenience.
The Banff Question
Many YYC arrivals are heading to Banff, not Calgary. The Banff Airporter shuttle at CAD 60-80 per person is the standard option. For two or more people, a private transfer at CAD 180-280 total may be comparable per person while offering door-to-door service. Car rental is popular but comes with parking fees in Banff (CAD 10-20/day in the national park) and winter driving concerns.
Hidden Costs
Taxi meters run the entire time — Calgary traffic during rush hour (7-9 AM, 3:30-6 PM) can add CAD 10-15 to the fare. Uber surge during snowstorms or Stampede week can double the usual price. Banff shuttle tips are customary at 10-15%. Parking in downtown Calgary runs CAD 20-35/day if you rent a car.