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Alberta provides many transportation options within its borders. The Princess Province is crossed by Highway 2, which extends between Edmonton and Calgary. The Trans-Canada Highway is the world’s longest national highway, and passes through the province as Highway 1 and Yellowhead Highway 16. Other important routes include the Mackenzie Highway, which extends from Edmonton to the Northwest Territories, and the magnificent Icefields Parkway stretching between Lake Louise and Jasper.
Air travel in Alberta is serviced primarily by Edmonton International Airport and Calgary International Airport (YYC). Additional airports include the Medicine Hat Municipal Airport and Red Deer Regional Airport. Dozens of smaller airports and heliports, both public and private, exist throughout the province.
Rail travel in the Princess Province is provided by VIA Rail Canada, with stops in Edmonton and Jasper on its Canadian route, and the Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions. The splendid Royal Canadian Pacific train showcases the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Rail lines in Alberta are served primarily by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the south, and the Canadian Northern provides service to the northern regions. These railways are linked through Edmonton and Calgary and have branch lines for freight transportation.
Public transit in Alberta provides commuters with several options, particularly in Calgary and Edmonton. Calgary offers Calgary Transit, with its fleet of 300 regular buses, over 90 shuttles, and over 100 light rail vehicles. The Edmonton Transit System (ETS) boasts a fleet of over 800 diesel and trolley buses and 29 community buses, and operates over 150 routes, including a light rail system with 37 vehicles and 11 stations. Approximately 120,000 people travel by ETS daily.
Intercity bus travel can be obtained via Greyhound Canada Transportation Corporation, which operates hubs in Calgary and Edmonton, with routes throughout the province and Canada. Red Arrow Motorcoach offers service between Edmonton, Banff, Red Deer, Fort McMurray, Calgary, and Lake Louise.
Modern water transportation for freight exists by barges traversing the Athabasca River and Lake Athabasca, connecting to the Mackenzie River via the Slave River and Great Slave Lake.
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