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UCalgary Campuses, the CTrain and the UPass: Getting Around
UCalgary has four campuses in Calgary. Most undergraduates spend nearly all their time on main campus in the northwest, which holds 11 of the university's 14 faculties. Medicine is based at Foothills, about a kilometre south. Veterinary medicine's hands-on teaching is at Spy Hill, and the downtown campus mostly serves graduate and executive programs. University station on the CTrain Red Line is the closest stop to main campus. If you're full-time, a UPass for Calgary Transit comes with your fees: $175 for fall 2026 and $180.25 for winter 2027.
Sources checked September 30, 2026. View sources
The four campuses compared
UCalgary treats you as off campus in a term only when none of your course components are on the main, Foothills, Spy Hill or downtown campuses. That status changes some of your general fees.
| Campus | Address | Who studies there | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main campus | 2500 University Drive NW | 11 of 14 faculties, most undergraduates | More than 200 hectares; the TFDL, MacEwan Student Centre, residences, Active Living and the Olympic Oval are here |
| Foothills campus | 3330 Hospital Drive NW | Cumming School of Medicine; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine headquarters | Next to the Foothills Medical Centre; has the Health Sciences Library and two Active Living fitness centres |
| Spy Hill campus | 11877 85th Street NW | Doctor of Veterinary Medicine clinical and diagnostic teaching | Clinical Skills Building, research stations and the High Density Library, which holds about 60% of the book and journal collection |
| Downtown campus | 906 8 Avenue SW | Select graduate and executive programs from Haskayne and the School of Public Policy | Opened in 2010; also the Alumni Association headquarters |
Finding your way on main campus
International Student Services says you can walk across main campus in less than 20 minutes. Science, engineering, social sciences and kinesiology buildings sit on the north side. Professional faculties such as education, nursing, social work, business and law are on the south side, along with the residences and Hotel Alma.
The Taylor Family Digital Library, the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning and the MacEwan Student Centre sit in the middle of campus. Use UCalgary's online campus map and room finder to locate classrooms before your first week.
The CTrain and MAX Orange
University station on the Red Line is the closest CTrain stop to main campus. Some trips across the city need a transfer to the Blue Line. UCalgary says trains run about every five minutes at peak times and every 10 to 15 minutes otherwise.
MAX Orange is a rapid bus between Brentwood and Saddletowne stations. Calgary Transit lists the University of Calgary and the Foothills Medical Centre among the places it serves, and it crosses the north of the city without going downtown.
The UPass: cost, activation and exceptions
The UPass gives you unlimited Calgary Transit travel for one term. It's automatic and mandatory for full-time undergraduates. Part-time students aren't charged it. The only opt-outs are Calgary Transit employees and students with a valid CNIB card, so you pay even if you drive.
Your UPass lives in the City of Calgary's My Fare app. Activate it before you board, then scan the QR code on the bus validator for each trip. CTrains don't have validators, but your pass must be valid when you ride. Keep your Unicard with you for extra verification. If your phone isn't compatible, collect a UPass sticker from the Campus Service Centre.
| Term | Valid | 2026-27 fee |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | September to December | $175.00 |
| Winter 2027 | January to April | $180.25 |
| Spring and summer | May to August | $175.00 for four months |
- If you drop below full-time by the class drop deadline, the charge is reversed and the pass stops working.
- Undergraduates whose courses are all 100% online aren't charged.
- Co-op, internship and practicum students with a full-time load can opt in under My Financials in the Student Centre. For fall 2026 the opt-in deadline was September 18. An opt-in can't be reversed.
- The pass can't be given or sold to anyone else.
Cycling and driving
Many buses have bike racks, and bikes are allowed on the CTrain during certain hours. Students can rent a bike through the UBike Students' Union club and get repair help at the Bike Root shop on campus.
Parking isn't included in residence fees, so budget for a permit if you bring a car. The Olympic Oval lists Lot 10 as its closest lot, at $10.50 a day. International Student Services says full-time students can drive in Alberta on a valid licence from home, carrying their study permit and an enrolment letter. You may later need an Alberta licence, depending on your experience and where your licence was issued.
Keep exploring
Sources and updates
This independent guide summarizes the official information linked below. Availability, access rules and application cycles can change; check the relevant university page before making a decision.
- UCalgary: our campuses and facilities
- UCalgary: main campus
- UCalgary: Foothills campus
- UCalgary: Spy Hill campus
- UCalgary: downtown campus
- UCalgary Calendar P.1.2: undergraduate general fees and UPass
- UCalgary International Student Services: getting around
- Calgary Transit: MAX bus rapid transit
- UCalgary Parking and Transportation: UPass FAQ
- UCalgary Registrar: academic dates
- UCalgary Residence Services: application information
- Olympic Oval: hours, contact and parking