- Vancouver International Airport, Airplane Landing - Tourism Vancouver, YVR, Larry Goldstein
When travelling through cities to get to the desired destination, waiting at airports can be quite a bore. Wireless internet access is commonplace in most airports and in Western Canada, it’s almost always available (exceptions include airports in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut). Sometimes it comes at an extra cost, though.
Below is a guide to finding free WiFi hotspots in airports within Western Canada, focusing on the major hubs. Airports that offer wireless internet for a fee are listed at the bottom of the article, where laptops can still access it through a third party service.
Vancouver International Airport
3211 Grant McConachie Way, Richmond
More Info: (604) 207-7077
Free WiFi access is available throughout the entire airport. Plugs for batteries are located at all gates, but there are no desks available there (hence people sitting on the floor with their laptops). Computer workstations (also equipped with plugs for laptops) are found in the international terminal at arrivals level.
Calgary International Airport
2000 Airport Road NE, Calgary
More Info: (403) 735-1372
Free wireless internet hotspots are available throughout the terminal. There are approximately 30 computer kiosks spread out in all four of the concourses, too, making it easy to get some work done or keep in touch with friends and family.
Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport
2625 Airport Drive, Saskatoon
More Info: (306) 975-8900
Get free WiFi internet access anywhere in the airport, provided by the Saskatoon Airport Authority. It’s available in both the pre and post security areas.
Wireless Internet Access at Airports for a Fee
The following airports provide WiFi access in their terminals, but charge a fee. Travellers must turn on their laptops and create an account with the below companies. They can then surf the web and check emails for an hourly, daily or monthly fee.
Abbotsford International Airport (Opti-Fi, $8.95 per day plus tax), Victoria International Airport (Boingo, $9.95 per day plus tax), Edmonton International Airport (Opti-Fi, $8.95 per day plus tax), Regina International Airport (Opti-Fi, $8.95 per day plus tax), Regina International Airport (Opti-Fi, $8.95 per day plus tax), Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (Telus Mobility, rates vary).
Wireless Internet Laptop Requirements
In order for a laptop to be able to access the WiFi connections in the airports, watch out for a few things:
- Laptops must be equipped with an 802.11b wireless network card
- After turning on the laptop, right click on the computer icon at the bottom right hand corner
- Choose “View Available Wireless Networks”
- Connect to airport’s network and wait for the computer to gain access
- Surf the web!
- NOTE: Always remember that public access wireless internet has no security, so avoid doing things like on-line banking
Lori Henry - A travel writer, Lori flits between exploring the world with incessant curiosity and huddling over her laptop writing.
