Getting Around

By Transit

Edmonton Transit (tel. 780/496-1611) operates the buses and the LRT (Light Rail Transit). This electric rail service connects downtown with Northlands Park to the north and the University of Alberta to the south. The LRT and buses have the same fares: C$2 for adults and C$1.35 for seniors and children; a day pass goes for C$7. Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm, downtown LRT travel is free between Churchill, Central, Bay, Corona, and Grandin stations.

By Car

In addition to the following downtown locations, National (10133 100A St. NW; tel. 800/CAR-RENT or 780/422-6097), Budget (10016 106th St. tel. 800/268-8900 or 780/448-2001, 800/527-0700 in the U.S.), and Hertz (10815 Jasper Ave.; tel. 780/423-3431) each have a car-rental bureau at the airport.

By Taxi

Call Co-Op Taxi (tel. 780/425-2525 or 780/425-8310) for a ride in a driver/owner-operated cab. Yellow Cabs is another option (tel. 780/462-3456), as is Capital Taxi (tel. 780/423-2425).

By Bicycle

While not as extensive as Calgary's system, Edmonton has a decent bike path network of about 150km (90 miles), including more than 100km (60 miles) worth of paths running through the river valley. This is scenic and lovely, but not terribly practical in terms of actual transportation. If you're willing to take to the city streets, be prepared for the main obstacle to Edmonton city cycling: incredibly long, painfully steep slopes into and out of the deep river valley. If you're game, you can rent a bike from the People's Pedal (tel. 780/686-5399; www.peoplespedal.org), a community-based non-profit where you can pay C$25 for four hours, or work off your bike rental fees in exchange for volunteer time. Bikes are available at 25 hubs around the city; visit the website for locations.

On Foot

Those same banks -- to say nothing of the great distances between pockets of interest -- make Edmonton not a terribly walkable city. But once you're in, say, Old Strathcona or the 124th Street Area (also sometimes called High Street), a stroll is a nice way around. The Downtown Business Association of Edmonton (tel. 780/424-4085; www.edmontondowntown.com) offers free walking tours of the core in the summer on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 1 and 2 pm. Meet at their office at 10121 Jasper Avenue 15 minutes beforehand.