How to Get The Calgary to Red Deer Bus | Calgary Airport to Red Deer!

Red Deer is an Albertan city South of the province capital, Edmonton, and North of popular city Calgary. Most people fly into Calgary and need to get from the airport to Red Deer but aren’t sure how to do so. I have researched and answered this for you.

Read on for information about the distance between Calgary and Red Deer, ways to travel between the two cities and a complete guide to the bus from Calgary Airport to Red Deer (and vice versa)!

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About Calgary Airport

Name: Calgary International Airport
Airport Code: YYC
Where? 17km from city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Website: http://www.yyc.com/
Fly Here to Get to: Calgary, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Red Deer, Edmonton, Waterton Park, Province of Alberta

Distance Calgary to Red Deer

The Calgary Red Deer route is about 85 miles / 137 km taking roughly 1.5 hours to drive by car or bus between the places.

Have 1 Day in Calgary? Read This Itinerary For What To Do!

Ways to Get From Calgary Airport to Red Deer

Image of Airport at sunset with plane and terminal in view, blue sky and clouds in back with sun setting

Although there are two airports near Red Deer Alberta (Edmonton and Calgary) because Red Deer is the city bang in the middle of the two cities, you will most likely land at YYC.

There are four main ways to get to Red Deer from Calgary:

Bus
Rental Car
Airport Transfers / Private Taxi
Pop A Ride

1) By Bus

I personally think getting the bus is the most convenient option as it’s straightforward, easy to book, easy to find, reliable and consistent times. I have got the Red Deer to Calgary bus and by car as well as the bus from Calgary to Red Deer and by car and can vouch for bus being cheaper and less to worry about.

As I have personally taken the bus both ways, read on for the guide to getting to Red Deer from Calgary by bus.

Calgary to Red Deer Bus

The main bus companies are Red Arrow, Cold Shot, Rider Express, Ebus and The Canada Bus. Busbud is an excellent website which will compare all the bus service Red Deer to Calgary options for your journey including any stops, time, distance and price.

Red Arrow Calgary to Red Deer

Screenshot from Red Arrow bus website saying 'getting you there in luxury and comfort' and blue Red Arrow bus

The best option for the Calgary Airport to Red Deer bus is Red Arrow because they are the cheapest, most reliable and run the Calgary to Red Deer shuttle (both ways) up to three times daily.

Red Arrow has discounts for students, military, seniors and AMA members.

The Red Arrow bus will always stop at YYC airport and then continue on to Downtown Calgary so is ideal for anyone going to the airport or just travelling to Calgary city.

When you book online you’ll receive an email and transaction code from Red Arrow which you can download and use as your ticket.

Image of Red Arrow bus station in Red Deer Alberta

So when you arrive at the bus depot Red Deer to catch the Red Arrow bus from Red Deer to Calgary Airport, here are directions:

In front of Quality Inn Hotel, enter the lounge and stick to the left of the reception area and you’ll see a door on the left saying Red Arrow
Once here, show your ticket and ID to the desk officer and there is a waiting room with toilet facilities and information on bus schedules. They’ll let you know when your bus has arrived
The bus will ensure everyone who has booked a ticket is on the bus so be prepared for slight delays

Bus Stop in Calgary Airport

When getting the bus from Red Deer to Calgary Airport the bus stop in Calgary Airport is located on the third level at ‘number 1’ and takes you directly to domestic departures at the airport so if flying internationally, you must walk about 10 minutes further to find the check-in desks.

Bus Stations in Red Deer

Although there is a main Red Deer bus depot in Downtown Red Deer, the Red Arrow bus Red Deer stop is at the Quality Inn Hotel on Gaetz Avenue. Ebus can go to either of the stops. Rider Express and The Canada Bus stops at Tim Hortons.

Red Deer Bus Terminal Address: Quality Inn, 50 Ave, Red Deer, AB T4N 6A5, Canada.

Downtown Bus Stop Address: Sorenson Transit Station, Red Deer, AB T4N 1T8, Canada.

Tim Hortons Bus Stop Address: Tim Hortons, 6620 Orr Dr, Red Deer, AB T4P 3V8, Canada.

Bus to Calgary from Red Deer (& back) Pros and Cons

Pros – Worry-free as someone else drives for you, most cheapest option, direct transfer from and to airport, do not have to worry about parking and fees.

Cons – Restricted to bus schedule, no transport while in Red Deer, must get from bus station to accommodation.

Book your bus through BusBud here.

2) By Driving

On arrival at the airport, get yourself a rental car from the counters providing ID, insurance, a credit card and payment and be on your way. Alternatively, you can arrange your rental car in advance so it will be ready for you to pick up and drive off straight away.

Driving yourself from Calgary Airport to Red Deer and vice versa is straightforward as you take Highway 2 (QEII) for about 1.5 hour without stopping as the Calgary to Red Deer distance is about 137km.

Of course there are 7/11s and Tim Hortons on the way if you need a break! It’s almost like one long road so there’s nothing scenic to see along the way but gets you from A to B in the best time.

Pros – Easily get to and from the airport, most independent option for travel, no luggage restrictions, can split costs if a group of 3/4/5, easy to get around Red Deer.

Cons – Car rental in Canada can be expensive, need to find parking and then pay extra to park in places, tied to the car.

Book your rental car in advance for Red Deer to Calgary here.

3) By Airport Transfers & Private Shuttle

Image of bus interior of the back of a chair, air conditioning on top and side window

Booking an airport transfer from YYC to Red Deer or a private taxi is the way you can guarantee someone will be waiting for you at arrivals with your name on a small board ready to escort you privately to your accommodation.

Note: Uber is not available in Red Deer at time of writing.

Pros – Can travel alone, dropped to accommodation, saves time at the airport, no drop-offs, can save money if travelling as a group, no research required for getting to destination.

Cons – Most expensive option, you won’t have transportation once in Red Deer and will have to rely on public bus / taxis to get around (exploring Red Deer is relatively difficult without your own vehicle).

If this is the option for you, find an airport transfer here to get you to Red Deer from Calgary with ease.

4) Pop A Ride

This is the carpooling option that is a popular way to get around in Canada.

I have used Pop A Ride to get from Calgary Airport to Banff at 10pm as there were no buses and I can highly recommend.

Pros – cheap, reliable, popular, many people take the route between Banff and Calgary so lots of options, can pay online, can use referral codes, door to door drop offs, all done through the app, reviews can be left for you and driver, quicker than public transport.

Cons – you’re trusting other people to drive safely, must depend on someone to tell the truth, there needs to be someone doing the same route and time as you, need to socialise for 1.5 hours.

Use Pop A Ride Here!

Accommodation in Red Deer

I highly recommend booking accommodation in Red Deer in advance so you have somewhere to head straight from the airport

Cambridge Red Deer Hotel – This popular hotel has free parking included, has an indoor pool, restaurants on site, is close to bus stops, free wifi and private rooms. Click here to find latest availability and prices.

Towneplace Suites by Marriott Red Deer – This is the best rated hotel in Red Deer (9.1 on booking.com). It features free wifi, kitchenette, laundry, pool, 24 hour reception, free breakfast buffet, and free parking. It’s also close to the popular attraction: Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. Click here to see the latest prices and availability.

Rebel House – For a self-catering, private holiday home choose Rebel House which is an entire house to rent in replacement of a traditional hotel. This is the best option for those who prefer privacy, self-catering, games room, kitchen, laundry, backyard, bbq and patio, free parking and free wifi. You can also bring your pets! Find the latest prices and availability for Rebel House here.

In conclusion, the distance from Calgary to Red Deer Alberta takes just 1.5 hours and you can get from Calgary Airport to Red Deer by: airport transfer, private taxi, public bus or renting a vehicle for yourself.