YYC Holiday Travel Tips

December 15, 2014   |  

December is the busiest time of year for those travelling through the Canada’s third busiest airport. To help you through the busy holiday travel season, here are some helpful tips to avoid stress or delays.

Arrive Early at YYC

Be sure to leave plenty of time to get to the airport as there may be unpredictable weather and road conditions, along with increased passenger volumes. For those that arrive early, there will be a number of events taking place at the airport for travellers to enjoy, in addition to over 135 shops and services. 

Know what to pack and learn what to expect during the security process

Passenger and baggage security screening at airports in Canada is provided by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). For details on what you can pack, travel checklists and general information to help avoid delays during this important process, please go to CATSA's website

Know your check-in options and arrival time information

Each airline sets its own recommended check-in time based on the destination. Be sure to check with your airline to find out the best time to arrive for your flight. Make sure to use your airline’s web check in services to save time. Check-in as early as 24 hours prior to your departure, choose your seats and print your boarding passes in advance of your flight.

Check your airline’s website for more information.

Know your Baggage Allowances

Each airline determines its own luggage allowance policies. Luggage restrictions can include weight, number of bags permitted, number of bags to be checked without charge, as well as size and number of carry-on items permitted on-board.

Please check with your airline for more information.

Explore your Parking and Ground Transportation Options

To help make your travel plans even smoother, YYC’s parking rate calculator and maps are available on yyc.com to help you find the best lot to match your parking needs. As December is YYC’s busiest time of year, parking spots do fill quickly, so you’ll want to leave some additional time to find parking when arriving at the airport. The good news is that we have a spot for everyone!

You can park closer this holiday season in YYC’s surface Economy Lot with rates as low as $10.95 per day or $49.95 per week. YYC offers attractive parking rates in all of its lots, including long-term parking in Parkade 2 for $99 per week and $119 per week in Parkade 1. With so many choices, parking at YYC has never been easier. Visit yyc.com for more information.

Picking someone up at YYC over the holidays? Don’t forget to use the Cell Phone Park and Wait lot. The Cell Phone lot is located on the north side of Airport Road (just to the right as you enter YYC), before the parkade entrance—just look for the purple and white signs. Arriving passengers will be able to collect their items, call their ride waiting in the Cell Phone lot and meet them at the designated area on the Arrivals Level. Fast, easy and free! There is also 30-minute free parking available in the short-term parking area.

Other ground transportation options include taxis, sedans, the Airport Downtown Shuttle or Calgary Transit. Associated Cab and Allied Limousine are YYC’s on-demand taxi and sedan ground transportation services available on the Arrivals Level 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Don’t forget to download Associated Cab’s easy-to-use and free app if you’re looking to book you’re trip to the airport.

Visit yyc.com for more information on these great transportation options.

Learn more about travelling with NEXUS

Transport Canada announced new initiatives aimed at making air travel to the United States even easier for NEXUS members and other low-risk Trusted Travellers who have undergone extensive background checks. Click here for more information and for tips on how to travel safe and smart this holiday season.  

Check out the Various YYC Events and Entertainment

While visiting YYC over the holidays, be sure to check out one of the many festive events, or choirs or quartets performing throughout the airport:

YYC’s Festival of Trees

Located throughout the airport and decorated in a variety of themes by our very own YYC community.

Free Gift Wrapping

Volunteers will be wrapping presents behind security for those travelling through Concourses A and C from December 19 - 24.

Story Time with Mrs.Claus

Mrs. Claus will be also dropping into YYC to read stories to children in Concourses A and C from December 19 - 24.

Choirs, quartets and bands

Performing December 17 - 23 throughout the terminal building.

So whether you’re dropping someone off or travelling to visit your loved ones this season, YYC will have a little something to help make your holidays even brighter.