5 ways to travel between Alberta’s dual metropolises
- There are several options to travel between Calgary and Edmonton. However, there is no passenger train service. In contrast this is surprising considering both cities population is over one million. Although the Alberta government currently has plans.
Option 1: Intercity Bus
- Travel time: ~3-4 hours
- Intercity carriers all offer frequent, direct, daily coach bus service between the two cities. Unfortunately, neither Calgary nor Edmonton offer a central bus terminal. Fortunately, all buses stop en route at Calgary and Edmonton Airports. Board and depart the intercity buses from the following locations:
- Flixbus
- Red Arrow
- Ebus
- Rider Express
- Edmonton – Downtown – 10180 105 St NW (next to Fountain Tire)
- The Canada Bus
- Edmonton – Downtown – 10235 101 St NW
- Cold Shot
- Calgary – Centex Gas Station – 4 St NEB (across the Bow River, opposite downtown)
- Edmonton – Cold Shot Terminal – 154 St NW
- While Cold Shot is a good budget option, their downtown service is limited.
- Fares: Starting at $25 CDN
- Pros: Budget friendly, lots of options, express services, wi-fi, outlets, many amenities available
- Cons: Long travel time, lack of a proper central bus terminal to lounge
- The gist: Coach bus service between Calgary and Edmonton is competitive and frequent with multiple options to choose from. Plus each route stops at the airport.
Option 2: Airplane
- Travel time: ~1 hour (not including check-in, security and transit to downtown (~4 hours total when factored in)
- Air Canada and West Jet offer multiple daily flights between Calgary Airport (YYC) and Edmonton Airport (YEG).
- Travel time: ~1 hour (not including check-in, security and transit to downtown (~4 hours total when factored in)
- Fares: Starting at $200 CDN
- Pros: Fast, direct
- Cons: Expensive, travelling to/from the airport, check in/security times
- The gist: A fast, convenient way to travel between Alberta’s metropolis’ but be aware of traveling to the downtown from the airport.
Option 5: Private Shuttle
- Travel time: ~3.5 hours
- Some private charter companies like Airport Shuttle Express offer shuttle service from each city’s respective airport to downtown hotels and any residential address in either Edmonton or Calgary.
- Fares: Starting at $600 CDN for a group
- Pros: Convenient, private, direct, door to door service, good for groups
- Cons: Very expensive for a solo traveller
- The gist: While shuttle charters are expensive they offer a convenient and private service to any destination in Edmonton or Calgary.
Option 5: Driving
- Travel time: 3 hours
- Highway 2 (Queen Elizabeth II Highway) is a freeway that directly connects Calgary and Edmonton. In Calgary Highway 2 is also known as Deerfoot Trail.
- Pros: Fast, direct, convenient if your destination is in the suburbs
- Cons: Traffic can be heavy during peak periods, parking in the downtown area can be expensive
- The gist: Fast & convenient but traffic on the freeway can be congested and plan ahead during the winter driving season.