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Calgary

Calgary travel guide

City in Alberta, Canada

Flights from$1,308 round trip
Things to do12 experiences
Best time to visitSeptember
Nearest airportYYC · 5 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−6
Population1,306,784

About Calgary

Calgary is the largest city in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806, making Calgary the third-largest city and the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Canada.

Cheap flights to Calgary

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $1,308 from London, travelling 12 May – 3 Jun. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Cheapest month to fly

$2,682 Dec $1,353 Apr $1,308 May $1,412 Jul $1,553 Aug

Airlines travellers compared most often: Aer Lingus.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

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Places to visit in Calgary

  1. Calgary Tower

    Calgary Tower

    Viewpoint

    The downtown tower's observation deck, with a glass floor section, offers views of the city and on clear days the Rocky Mountains to the west.

  2. Heritage Park Historical Village

    Heritage Park Historical Village

    Museum

    A large living-history village on the Glenmore Reservoir with historic buildings, a steam train, a paddlewheel boat and costumed interpreters, recreating western Canadian life from the fur trade onward.

  3. Calgary Zoo

    Calgary Zoo

    Zoo

    A zoo on St. George's Island in the Bow River with themed areas such as Canadian Wilds, a penguin exhibit and a prehistoric park with life-size dinosaur models.

  4. Studio Bell

    Studio Bell

    Museum

    The striking home of the National Music Centre in East Village, with exhibits on Canadian music, historic instruments and recording equipment, and hands-on music-making experiences for all ages.

  5. Prince's Island Park

    Prince's Island Park

    Park

    A green island park in the Bow River next to downtown, with walking paths, lagoons and footbridges, and it serves as the venue for several popular summer festivals.

  6. Stephen Avenue

    Stephen Avenue

    Neighborhood

    A pedestrian street downtown lined with historic sandstone buildings, restaurants, bars and shops, lively at lunchtime and in the evening, with patios open in warmer months.

  7. Fish Creek Provincial Park

    Fish Creek Provincial Park

    Nature · 9 mi from centre

    One of the largest urban parks in Canada, following a creek through south Calgary, with trails for walking and cycling and good chances of spotting deer and birds.

Things to do in Calgary by type

12 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • Flexible 5
  • 1-3 hours 1
  • 3-6 hours 1
  • Over 6 hours 1
Browse all things to do in Calgary

Top experiences in Calgary

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 12 available.

See all things to do in Calgary

Where to stay in Calgary

Popular hotels in Calgary, out of 129 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Calgary

Best time to visit Calgary

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Calgary is September, when average daytime highs are around 71°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 10° – 26° 7
Feb 7° – 25° 6
Mar 19° – 36° 9
Apr 30° – 50° 10
May 39° – 62° 14
Jun 46° – 67° 12
Jul 54° – 75° 12
Aug 52° – 73° 7
Sep 47° – 71° 5
Oct 34° – 54° 3
Nov 19° – 35° 8
Dec 11° – 29° 7

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Calgary weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 67° 29° 0%
  • Thu 22 Oct 58° 39° 8%
  • Fri 23 Oct 47° 33° 56%
  • Sat 24 Oct 41° 29° 13%
  • Sun 25 Oct 38° 27° 17%
  • Mon 26 Oct 36° 24° 10%

Know before you go

Currency
Canadian dollar (CAD)1 US dollar ≈ $1.41
Languages
English, French
Calling code
+1
Driving
On the right
Time zone
America/EdmontonUTC−6
Capital
Ottawa

Upcoming public holidays in Canada

  • Christmas Day
  • New Year's Day
  • Good Friday
  • Victoria Day
  • Canada Day
  • Labour Day

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Calgary

These are the airports closest to central Calgary. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • YYC Calgary International Airport5 mi (8 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Calgary

It can be fairly easy to get to most destinations of interest by bus and/or light rail transit (LRT, trams). In the downtown core, 7th Avenue South is for public transit only.

Fares

Buy your tickets on the Calgary Transit My Fare app, from ticket machines (at all LRT and select bus stations) or on board buses from the driver (exact change only). As of 2026, transit tickets ($4/adult, $2.65/youth 13-16, 12 and under free) permit 90 minutes of travel on trains and buses, with round trips allowed. Day passes ($12.65/adult, $9.25/youth) are also available at most convenience stores and on the app. Ticket machines at C-Train stations and platforms sell day passes and regular tickets.

By LRT/tram

There are two LRT lines, both of which run on 7th Ave downtown: the Red line (sometimes called Route 201 on maps and apps) and Blue line (AKA Route 202). The Red line runs from Tuscany Station in the northwest to Somerset/Bridlewood station in the southern suburbs, passing through the city centre and serving attractions such as the Stampede grounds, Fish Creek Provincial Park and Heritage Park (via connecting bus).

By bus

Although buses come along less often, and tend to serve commuters more than tourists, it is still possible to get around to the main places without too much difficulty. Bus routes usually service either downtown or an LRT station, and run from around 5AM–1AM. Depending on the route, frequencies can be as low as one per hour in outlying suburbs, although 20 or 30 minutes is more typical.

Calgary travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Calgary?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Calgary is September, when average daytime highs are around 71°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

What is the weather like in Calgary?

July is usually the warmest month in Calgary, with average highs of 75°F (24°C). February is the coolest, with average lows of 7°F (-14°C). The wettest month is typically June, with about 112 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Calgary?

Calgary International Airport (YYC) is the closest airport, about 5 miles (8 km) from the centre of Calgary.

How much are flights to Calgary?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Calgary in the last 30 days was $1,308 from London, travelling 12 May – 3 Jun. May is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $1,308.

What currency is used in Calgary?

Calgary uses the Canadian dollar (CAD). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $1.41.

What time zone is Calgary in?

Calgary uses the America/Edmonton time zone (currently UTC−6). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Calgary?

It can be fairly easy to get to most destinations of interest by bus and/or light rail transit (LRT, trams). In the downtown core, 7th Avenue South is for public transit only.

What are the best places to visit in Calgary?

Top sights in Calgary include Calgary Tower, Heritage Park Historical Village, Calgary Zoo and Studio Bell. The downtown tower's observation deck, with a glass floor section, offers views of the city and on clear days the Rocky Mountains to the west.

What are the top things to do in Calgary?

Popular experiences you can book in Calgary include National Hockey League: Calgary Flames Ice Hockey Game at Scotiabank Saddledome - Ticket, Calgary: Guided Street Art Tour + Craft Beer Tasting and The Confluence Cultural Centre: Entry Ticket. Destina Holidays offers 12 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Calgary?

The most popular types of experiences in Calgary are tickets & attraction passes (5), city tours (4), art & culture (2) and shows, sports and special events (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Calgary?

Popular areas for hotels in Calgary include Calgary. Well-reviewed options include DoubleTree by Hilton Calgary North and Hampton Inn by Hilton Calgary Airport North.

How many hotels can I book in Calgary?

Destina Holidays currently lists 129 properties in and around Calgary, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.