Calgary Information - Pengrowth Saddledome Hotels

Calgary Information

Population: 905,000.

Time Zone: 7 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-7 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. Calgary is in the Mountain Time Zone. When it is 12:00 noon in New York City, it is 10:00 AM in Calgary

Voltage Requirements: 110 volts.

Telephone Codes: 403 area code.

Holidays

New Year's Day (January 1)

Good Friday (varies)

Easter Monday (varies)

St. George's Day (April 24)

Victoria Day (May 22)

Discovery Day (June 26)

Memorial Day (July 1)

Alberta: Heritage Day (August 7)

Labour Day (September 4)

Thanksgiving (October 9)

Remembrance Day (November 11)

Christmas (December 25)

Boxing Day (December 26).

When to Visit: Calgary has four full seasons, with cool summers (averaging 68F) and winters that can be quite cold (averaging 9 F). The city's weather is extremely variable: summer days can be hot (95 F) but the city has experienced snow in every month of the year. Occasionally in winter, warm Chinook winds raise the temperature rapidly, almost instantly melting the snow. We think the best time to visit is midsummer to early fall. Take along a warm sweater or a jacket for the evening chill. If you're planning a trip into the mountains, take something for the rain and cold, no matter what time of year. The weather around Banff is especially unpredictable.

Air
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is 9 miles northwest of the city. The ride into downtown takes approximately 20-30 minutes.

Calgary International Airport,

2000 Airport Road Northeast,

Calgary, Alberta T2E 6W5,

Connecting Transportation

Shuttle service is probably the cheapest and easiest way into town. Many hotels provide free shuttles. If yours does not, Shuttle Express runs from the airport to any hotel or private residence, 24 hours a day. Check in at the shuttle counter, located in the main terminal, arrivals level, just outside Canada Customs. Phone 403-509-4799 for reservations.

The Calgary Airporter also offers daily service to 10 downtown hotels every 30 minutes. Daily 6:30 am-11:30 pm. Phone 403-531-3909 for reservations. Information on all shuttles is available at a kiosk in the arrivals area of the airport.

Taxis are always waiting outside the arrivals area. The fare from the airport to downtown is about Most taxi companies accept major credit cards. Major North American car-rental companies maintain branches at the airport if you prefer to drive yourself.

Bus
The main Greyhound Bus Terminal is at the western edge of downtown at 850 16th St. S.W. Phone 403-265-9111.

Car
There are paid parking lots and garages downtown, as well as meters along the street. Meter parking generally applies Monday-Saturday. In outlying areas, parking is plentiful and usually free. If you are staying outside downtown, you can avoid parking headaches by driving to a Park N Ride and taking the light rail transit (LRT or C-Train).

Public Transportation
Public transportation is the best way to get around the city, especially during the Calgary Stampede, when roads are jammed. There are two components to the system: the light rail transit (LRT or C-Train) and buses. A single ticket for either the bus or LRT is available at train station concessions or ticket machines. Tickets include unlimited transfers within 90 minutes. Multiticket books are available.

The LRT follows two main routes. One runs from Brentwood in the northwest to Fish Creek in the south. The second line connects Whitehorn, in the northeast, to downtown. Both lines run through the downtown corridor. You can ride for free along the corridor from Olympic Plaza to Eighth Street S.W. The LRT operates Monday-Friday 5:30 am-12:40 am, Saturday 5:45 am-12:40 am, Sunday 6:30 am-midnight. Phone 403-262-1000 for information.

Calgary's bus system is extensive. You can get just about anywhere in the city with one fare, but service outside rush hours or to outlying suburbs can be infrequent, even non-existent on holidays. The bus system also connects various points along the LRT with other areas. To ride the bus you must deposit exact change (Canadian currency only) or have a valid ticket or transfer. Schedules vary depending on the route, frequency is highest 7-9 am and 4-6 pm. Fares are standard regardless of where you are or where you're going. Phone 403-974-4000 for schedules.

Taxi
You will find cabs waiting at the airport and at the main hotels downtown, but generally you have to order a cab by phone.

Train
There is no direct passenger train service to Calgary. VIA Rail will get you as close as Edmonton, where connecting bus service can take you to Calgary. Rocky Mountaineer Railtours offers two-day, daylight tours between Vancouver and Banff/Calgary or Jasper.