A long layover in Castlegar is an opportunity, not an inconvenience. Rather than watching departure boards at Castlegar/West Kootenay Regional Airport for hours, step outside and explore. The city center is about 30 minutes away, and this guide has the practical details you need to pull it off without stress.
Before You Step Outside YCG
Three things to verify before you walk out of YCG:
- Can you legally enter Canada? Some nationalities need a visa even for a few hours. Check your passport’s validity too.
- Do you have enough time? With a 30-minute journey each way by local transport, you’ll want at least 5-6 hours total to make the trip worthwhile.
- How will you pay? Local currency is the local currency. Cards are widely accepted in most places, but carrying some the local currency in cash is a good idea for smaller vendors.
Airport to City: Your Transport Options
You have two main options for getting from Castlegar/West Kootenay Regional Airport into town:
- local transport: About 30 minutes, affordable, and consistent. This is what we recommend for time-conscious travelers.
- Taxi or ride-share: Around 50 minutes in normal traffic. More comfortable for groups or heavy luggage, but pricier and less predictable.
Whichever you choose, keep the return journey in mind. Build in extra time — you do not want to be rushing through security.
Layover Budget Breakdown
Here’s a rough breakdown of what a quick trip into Castlegar might cost in USD:
- Transport (round trip): ~$10 USD
- A meal: ~$20 USD
- Miscellaneous: ~$10 USD
- Estimated total: ~$40 USD
Cards are increasingly accepted in Castlegar, but cash is still useful for smaller purchases.
What to Do With Your Bags
Specific locker facilities at YCG aren’t well-documented. We recommend checking Bounce before your trip to find a secure storage spot either near the airport or in Castlegar itself.
If you’re traveling carry-on only, you might be able to skip storage entirely and bring your bag along.
How to Spend Your Time in Castlegar
For a layover visit to Castlegar, we’d suggest Millennium Park and Ponds and Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park. Neither requires a full day, and both give you a real taste of the area.
Great for a short stroll — bring a coffee and take it easy. Great for a short stroll — bring a coffee and take it easy.
If you’d rather stay inside YCG — maybe your layover is shorter than expected, or you just prefer to stay close to your gate — there are still ways to pass the time:
- Relax in the Terminal
- Browse Airport Gift Shop
Best Bites Near YCG
In Castlegar
If you make it into town, Black Rooster Bar & Grill is a good bet for a proper meal. For something different, try Humble Bean Coffee Co..
Inside YCG
If you’re staying in the terminal, YCG Airport Cafe is your main option. Terminal Grab-and-Go works too if you want something quick.
Need a Nap? Options at YCG
Sometimes the best layover plan is no plan at all. If you need sleep at YCG, scope out the quieter gate areas first. Noise-canceling headphones and an eye mask go a long way in a busy terminal.
Lounge access is another option if you want a real seat and maybe a shower. Check Priority Pass or ask at the information desk about day-use rates.
Staying Connected
Free WiFi is generally available at YCG, which is handy for checking maps and transport schedules. For connectivity in Castlegar itself, an eSIM is the easiest route — services like Airalo offer data plans for Canada that you can activate straight from your phone, no physical SIM swap needed.
Final Thoughts
A layover in Castlegar with time to spare is really an invitation to explore. Castlegar may not have been on your original itinerary, but sometimes those surprise stops become the best part of a trip.
Just remember: set an alarm, know your gate, and leave time for security. Everything else is an adventure.
Nearby Layover Guides
Disclaimer: Visa rules, transport schedules, and prices change. Always verify details with official sources and your airline before leaving the airport.