YYC to downtown times
 

I've done some searching, and the answer isn't completely apparent.

I'm flying in to YYC from ORD. I'll have no checked bags--carry on only. My flight is on a Saturday, so I wouldn't expect any major traffic. I'm landing mid-afternoon, so I have no idea what customs might be like.

Obviously there are variances in any estimate, but how long does it take:

1. To clear customs with a US passport?
2. To take the bus/C-train combo to the center?
3. Take a taxi/rental car to the center? Also, about what sort of cost should I expect on this option?

Are there other options between airport and downtown besides these two that I'm not considering?

The clearance time depends on how many other people are in line - it's quick for you but it depends on how many other flights have come in and from where. The bus-train combination is very slow - about an hour as I recall and not a common thing for those who are not airport employees. The airport is not far from the city so a quick cab ride. There is no shuttle "Calgary Airport Taxi Service is available 24 hours a day. The taxi cost to downtown ranges from $30 to $45 plus airport fees depending on the routing and time of day. All Calgary Taxis are license to serve the airport." The quote, from this site:
http://airportshuttleexpress.com/airporter.htm
has all the information.

Take one of the limo services waiting near the taxis at YYC. For $5-10 extra you have a huge Lincoln Town Car vs. a standard cab. Quite reasonable.

Always an ugly variable. Thanks for the other info. I was hoping there would be an option between the two extremes. But alas. I may just go in for the same-day change at the airport and a longer layover.

Does sound nice.

I'm arriving tomorrow at YYC (Christmas day) around 10PM. Any thoughts on availability of taxis? Or should I prebook a car?

-W

From the airport you'll be fine, there will be lots of taxi's available.

Always lots of taxis at YYC with little to no queue and the price is reasonable compared to some other large Canadian cities. (Still not cheap though partly because most drivers are driving Crown Vics with V8s!)

Yup -- thanks for the advice. There were no taxis when I hit the stand, but one showed up within 2 minutes. Not too expensive either. Roughly $35 to NW. Very efficient and easy on the way in.

-W

Nice to complete the question with your own observation. I didn't recognize my answer from two years ago.

Saw plenty of smaller vehicles, but not a single Crown Vic in the taxi line as I waited for my Holiday Inn shuttle around 10:30 p.m. on Dec 25

EmailKid

public transit in YYC
 

I just visited YYC, and thanks to Mayor Nenshi, there is an express public transit bus from the airport to downtown. Bus 300 runs every 1/2 hour & costs $8 CAD with 4 downtown stops.