Practical Information

Tourism Offices
There are 10 major Travel Alberta Visitor Information Centres providing useful maps, guides and other information and located along key highways and border points. Their hours of operation vary and are seasonal.

Telephone
Local dialing numbers are 10 digits. The first 3 digits are the local area code, while the last 7 digits are the actual phone number. To be properly connected, all 10 digits must be dialed. If you are making a long distance phone call to a number within Canada or the United States, you need to dial "1" before the 10 digit number.

To call Canada dial 011 + 1 + City Area Code + Number you wish to call.

Area Codes
403 - Southern Alberta
780 - Northern Alberta
587 - All of Alberta (effective September 20, 2008)
The area codes 900 and 976 are assigned to service providers which charge an additional fee for their services, either on a per-minute or per-call basis.

Mobile Phone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good in major urban and rural areas, but spotty in remote locations, such as some parts of the mountains. Roaming rates can be high, so you should check with your provider before leaving home so as not to receive a shock when you get your bill in the mail.

Disabled Travelers
Barrier-free or accessible tourism has evolved in Alberta, as it has in the rest of the world, but it remains important for disabled travellers to research their destination thoroughly by checking with their travel agent or online to ensure accommodations, museums, restaurants and other buildings facilitate wheelchair access.

Drinking and Liquor
The legal drinking age in Alberta is 18 and some establishments may ask for photo id.

Language
Although Canada is officially bilingual (English and French), English is more commonly spoken in Alberta.

Electricity
Alberta’s electrical current is 110/120V, 60Hz, the same as the United States. Power outlets accept flat, 2 or 3 pin plugs.

Phone Jack
US RJ-11 Phone Jack

Tipping
Generally, it is customary to tip between 15% and 20% at bars and eat-in restaurants in Alberta. Though it’s not customary for restaurants to automatically add gratuity to the bill, some may have a policy to so if you are with a larger group. Tips ranging from 10-15% are also given to tour guides, and for taxi service, spa treatments, porters and haircuts.

Business Hours
Retail shops vary but in larger communities shopping centres open from 10am-9pm Monday through Friday, 9:30 am-6 pm (or in some cases 9 pm) on Saturday and 12 pm-5 pm or 6 pm on Sunday. Rural areas might open later and close earlier. Most bars and pubs close by 2am. Be sure to call ahead.

Time Zone
Alberta is on Mountain Standard Time (GMT -7) but Daylight Savings Time begins on the first Sunday in April and continues until the last Sunday in October.

Radio
The public broadcaster Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) operates English-language Radio One (focusing on talk, news and public affairs, with some music) and cultural network Radio Two. Its francophone counterpart, Société Radio-Canada, operates French-language Première Chaîne and Espace Musique.

Television
The public broadcaster CBC is a good source of news as are CTV and Global, two major commercial networks. CBC’s francophone counterpart operates a main French-language network and the French-language cable news channel le Réseau de l'information (RDI). TVA is a major French-language commercial network.

Press
The main daily newspapers in Canada are The Globe and Mail and The National Post. In Alberta, the main English-language newspapers are the Calgary Herald, the Calgary Sun, the Edmonton Journal and the Edmonton Sun.

Canada Post
All mail from Canada to outside North America is by air. Stamps are available at Canada Post offices and in many hotels, pharmacies and convenience stores, among other locations. Letters sent by regular mail take roughly seven business days to reach Europe.

Post offices in Alberta are open from 8:30-4:30 during the week and 10 am – 12 pm on Saturday.

Internet
Internet connections are available throughout Alberta, though Internet cafes are only found in major cities or tourist hubs such as Banff and Jasper. You can often find pay-per-use Wi-Fi hotspots in coffee shops, fast-food outlets and airports. Free public Wi-Fi is less common; it's easiest to find in public libraries