By Air
Alberta is home to two international airports, one in Edmonton and one in Calgary. Easy access to Alberta from more than 100 cities world wide is available with most major airlines and charter companies. For specific information on scheduled and charter flights, contact your local travel agent.
Airlines
Both our international airports offer service with dozens of airlines around the world, as well as numerous charter companies that operate seasonally. The following list is just a sample of scheduled airlines, most commonly used in Canada and the U.S.
By Train
Alberta is served by
VIA Rail
scheduled service. Stops are scheduled in Edmonton and Jasper. Call 1-888-842-7245 (in North America) or the VIA number in your area for reservations and information. In the U.S., VIA Rail can be booked through AMTRAK at 1-800-872-7245. Rocky Mountaineer offers service from Calgary, Banff and Jasper to the West Coast of British Columbia. These routes through Canada’s Rockies are considered some of the world’s classic rail trips. For details, visit
rockymountaineer.com
Train travel can be a spectacular way to experience Alberta. From dinner aboard
Alberta Prairie Railway's
vintage steam train to the ultra-luxurious service on the
Royal Canadian Pacific
to everything in between-Alberta railway train service is offered in various pockets of the province. Check out VIA Rail's
Snow Train
from Edmonton to Jasper for a unique way to spend a winter weekend.
Motorcoach Travel
Special tours and transportation are available throughout Alberta including the Rockies.
- Brewster Vacations Canada 1-403-762-6700 or in North America 1-866-606-6700
- Greyhound Bus Lines 1-800-661-8747
- Red Arrow Motor Coach 1-800-232-1958
By Car
Alberta’s rules of the road may be a bit different than the ones you're used to. So here's a selection of Alberta highway and travel information to help you get around the province safely.
Alberta Highway Travel Information
For starters, Alberta is accessible from the east and west by two officially designated Trans-Canada routes. Hwy. 1 crosses Alberta in the South and the Trans-Canada Yellowhead Hwy. (Hwy. 16) crosses central Alberta. North-South Travel is provided on the Queen Elizabeth II Hwy., or you may want to take the scenic route through the mountain parks on the spectacular
Icefields Parkway.
For current Alberta road conditions across the province visit the
Alberta Motor Association
(AMA). The AMA is connected with several international automobile clubs, including the
American Automobile Association
(AAA), and members can receive reciprocal benefits.
For additional information on Alberta's roads and highways, including
maps
and current
road conditions, visit Alberta Transportation.
Speed Limits
Speed limits in Alberta are in kilometres per hour (km/h). Highways have a speed limit of 100 km/h (62 mph); except in our Rocky Mountain National Parks, which have limits of 90 km/h(56 mph) due to wildlife crossings. Most other rural highways and country roads have a speed limit of 80 km/h (50 mph).
Motorists passing stopped emergency vehicles or tow trucks must drive at 60 kilometres per hour, or at the posted speed limit, whichever is slower. Motorists passing construction workers must obey posted speed limits or be subject to double the traffic fines for a regular speeding offence.
Driving Documents
Driver’s licenses from all countries are valid in the province for up to three months. An International Driving Permit, available in your home country, is valid in Alberta for one year. If you're driving to Canada from the United States, bring the vehicle registration forms and a free Canadian Non-Resident Insurance Card from your insurance agent, or the policy itself. The minimum combined liability insurance in Alberta is $200,000. If you're driving a borrowed car, bring a letter of permission signed by the owner. If you're driving a rented car, bring a copy of the rental contract.
Traffic Safety Tips
For more information on traffic safety, visit the Government of Alberta's
Safe Roads
site.
Seat belt use is mandatory for all drivers and passengers in Canada.
National Park Tire Requirements
The National Parks Highway Traffic Regulations state that snow tires or chains are required on highways in Mt. Revelstoke, Glacier, Yoho, Banff, Jasper and Kootenay National Parks, as well as the Icefields and Banff-Windermere Parkways. This is signed to that effect during any period the highway is covered with snow or ice. Roads signed as requiring snow tires or chains include the access roads to all ski areas in the Parks. These restrictions do not apply on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway #1) from the East Gate to Lake Louise.
More Information
For comprehensive information on Alberta-related transportation questions,
please visit the Alberta Ministry of Transportation's website.