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Getting around Calgary

Public transport: 

Calgary Transit (tel: (403) 262 1000; www.calgarytransit.com) runs the city’s bus services and light rail system (known as the C-train). The service is punctual, clean and cheap.

Buses operate throughout the city, its suburbs and to the airport. The C-train comprises two lines: the 201 line runs from Somerset-Bridlewood in the south to Crowfoot in the northwest; the 202 line runs from McKnight-Westwinds in the northeast and ends at 10th Street at the western end of Downtown. From here, a new line is being built west to 69th Street SW and is due to open in December 2012. The stretch where both lines overlap along 7th Avenue is a fare-free zone.

You can buy bus tickets upon boarding (exact change only) and C-train tickets from vending machines at stations. Transfers (valid for 90 minutes) are available for switching between C-train and buses. Day passes and books of 10 tickets (slightly cheaper) are available. Reloadable electronic smartcards, ‘Connect’, are being introduced in June 2012.

Taxis: 

You can hail a taxi in the city centre at any time. There are numerous taxi operators in Calgary, including Checker Yellow Cabs (tel: (403) 299 9999) and Mayfair Taxi (tel: (403) 255 6555). An initial charge applies and the price rises according to the time and distance travelled. Drivers are commonly tipped around 10 to 15% of the fare.

Driving: 

Calgary is laid out on an easy-to-follow grid system, although the way the city is divided into quadrants, such as Southwest (SW), may be a bit confusing at first. In the city centre, the Bow River divides north from south, while Centre Street separates east and west. Major streets and avenues are named according to number, with avenues running east-west and streets running north-south. Many streets are one way, and even the locals are often confused with the quadrant system.

Street parking is available, although rare in the city centre during the day. Parking in one of the plentiful private lots is more reliable. The Calgary Parking Authority (tel: (403) 537 7000; www.calgaryparking.com) has details on locations, operating hours and rates.

Car hire: 

Most major North American and international car hire firms operate within Calgary. Drivers must be 21 years or older, and those under 25 may have to pay a surcharge with certain firms. A full driving licence from your home country is usually sufficient. Insurance is essential and is available from the car hire firm.

Car hire companies include Avis (tel: (403) 269 6166; www.avis.ca), Hertz (tel: (403) 221 1676; www.hertz.ca), National Car Rental (tel: (403) 444 5449; www.nationalcar.ca), Rent-a-Wreck (tel: (403) 287 9703; www.rent-a-wreck.ca) and Thrifty (tel: (403) 262 4400; www.thrifty.com).

Bicycle hire: 

Calgary has North America’s most extensive bike network, with 700km (453 miles) of pathways. A downloadable route map is available from www.calgary.ca. You can hire bikes and rollerblades through Sports Rent, 4424 16th Avenue NW (tel: (403) 292 0077; www.sportsrent.ca).

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