GETTING HERE

Getting here has never been easier. With the ease and convenience you expect of a major destination, Edmonton is accessible both nationally and internationally. Edmonton International Airport welcomes the world with flights to more than 50 global destinations. You can also reach this dynamic and hospitable city by train, automobile and bus. And once you’re here, getting around is a breeze.

GETTING AROUND TOWN
Numbers rather than names designate most streets and avenues in Edmonton, making addresses easy to find. Streets run north and south, while avenues run east and west. Odd-numbered buildings sit on the east side of streets and the south side of avenues. To accommodate the growth of the city to the east and south, a quadrant system was adopted which places most of the existing city in the northwest (NW) quadrant. Quadrant Avenue and Meridian Street are the quadrant divisions.

BY AIR
Edmonton International Airport (EIA) serves as the air gateway to Greater Edmonton and the boundless opportunities of the Canadian North.

A bright, modern facility, EIA serves six million passengers annually, with its Central Hall that features convenient, customer-focused retail, food and beverage services, an observation deck, centralized pre-board screening and many amenities for passenger comfort. Translation services are available in multiple languages. An international currency exchange is also available.

Located 29 km/18 miles (about 30-45 minutes) from downtown Edmonton, the airport is right next to Queen Elizabeth II Highway, the major commuter highway that links Calgary and Edmonton. Many ground transportation options are available from EIA, including taxi and limo services, and Sky Shuttle service to the south side, west end and downtown.

Daily ground coach service is now available to Jasper, in the magnificent Canadian Rockies. A number of Greater Edmonton hotels offer complimentary shuttle service.

With more than 50 non-stop flights across the continent — with air links to 12 major U.S. hubs and destinations — Edmonton International Airport offers one-stop access to anywhere in the world.

BY TRAIN
Edmonton lies on VIA Rail’s Canadian route, with passenger-rail services to Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Jasper and Vancouver. VIA Rail Canada’s Edmonton terminal is located near the city centre at 12360-121 St.

BY BUS
Greyhound Bus Lines provides excellent service to Edmonton from anywhere in North America. Service to and from Calgary, Red Deer and Fort McMurray is also available from Red Arrow. Both lines offer express services between major centres.

TAXIS
Taxis are usually on hand at hotels, shopping centres and major venues. In areas without taxi stands, it’s usually quicker to phone for service rather than hail a cab. Regular meter rates are charged from the Edmonton International Airport, located 29 km/18 miles from the city centre (about 30-45 minutes driving time).

TRANSIT
Ride the Eddie! Edmonton’s new tour-bus service offers transportation to major attractions, sites and shopping areas. Call 1-800-463-4667.

Edmonton’s LRT serves the downtown core with a south-side line that crosses the North Saskatchewan River to the University of Alberta. This line extends southward to two new stations in 2010: Southgate (opening in April) and Century Park (opening fall or winter). The north-side LRT line services Commonwealth Stadium, Rexall Place and Northlands, making it ideal transportation for games and special events.

Day passes are available which provide unlimited access to LRT and Edmonton Transit routes. Conference packages are available to provide delegate access to Edmonton Transit services at a reasonable cost. Call 780-496-5782 for information.

Buses from neighbourhood routes all converge on 20 major transit centres to facilitate easy transfers from one bus route to another.

Edmonton Transit also offers an express bus between West Edmonton Mall, the Shaw Conference Centre and many downtown hotels. It also offers group charter services in and around Edmonton. Call 780-496-5758.

For information on transit services for the disabled, contact DATS at 780-496-4567.

BY AUTOMOBILE
Edmonton’s location on the Trans-Canada Yellowhead Highway offers smooth driving access to cities and communities across Western Canada.

Situated near the geographic centre of Alberta, Edmonton is 514 km (320 miles) north of the Canada/U.S. border with Montana; 294 km (184 miles) east of Jasper, and 404 km (252 miles) northeast of Banff. For periods of up to 12 months, the entry of vehicles and trailers into Alberta for touring purposes is generally a routine matter without any duty or fee.

Your U.S. or international driver’s licence is valid while travelling in Alberta.

Photo: Edmonton International Airport

LRT SERVICE GROWS
Riding the rails in Edmonton can put your conference on a roll. The downtown-to-university line extends southward to two new stations in 2010: Southgate (opening in April) and Century Park (opening fall or winter). Unlimited-access day passes are available as well as conference packages for delegates. Call Edmonton Transit at 780-496-5782 for information.

Photo: Design Pics Inc./Darren Greenwood

HOUSTON NON-STOP
Texas just got a lot closer thanks to Continental Airlines’ new daily non-stop service to Edmonton from its hub at Houston Bush Intercontinental. The flight also speeds connections to Continental’s vast network across the Southern U.S., Mexico and Latin America. Says Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel: “Continental’s choice to invest in Edmonton shows real confidence in our economic future.”

RULES OF THE ROAD
• The minimum age for licensed drivers in Alberta is 16, although car rental agencies may impose a higher minimum age (e.g. 25, with a major credit card).
• Seatbelt use is mandatory in Alberta for drivers and passengers.
• Motorcycle riders and passengers must wear helmets and drive with headlights on.
• Right turns on red lights are permitted after stopping; U-turns are prohibited.
• Edmonton’s streets include several traffic circles. When approaching a traffic circle, use the right lane if you plan to exit at the first exit. Use the left lane to take the second or third exit. The vehicle on the outside of the circle must yield to the vehicles on the inside, and you must exit the circle in the same lane in which you are travelling.
• When driving in Alberta you must have valid accident insurance with a minimum coverage of $200,000 public liability and property damage.
* (Information subject to change)