Kelowna International Airport serves the Okanagan Valley, a renowned wine region and summer vacation destination in British Columbia, approximately 15 km from the city center.
It has traffic in strong growth, linked to wine and gastronomy tourism and outdoor activities on Lake Okanagan.
How to get to Kelowna International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to YLW
Parking near Kelowna International Airport
The official parking area is positioned in front of the terminal.
It is not staffed but is video-monitored; Long-Term 2.25 CAD the first hour then 3.50 CAD/hour, capped at 17.50 CAD/day, 88 CAD/week; Gold Pass 6 months for 1,290 CAD for unlimited short-term parking.
How to get to Kelowna from YLW
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Kelowna International Airport
Major car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, very useful for touring the Okanagan Valley wine region.
For the security deposit you just need a credit card in the driver's name, along with driver's license and passport.
Hotels near Kelowna International Airport
Highway 97 North, next to the airport
On Highway 97 N, a few minutes by car from the terminal; downtown Kelowna remains 15-30 minutes further south.
Best for: Short layovers and travellers who want to stay minutes from the terminal without heading downtown.
- Minutes from the terminal, convenient for early morning flights
- Rotary Beach Park and Boyce-Gyro Beach are about 8 km away
- A roadside area along the highway, not well suited to those who want to walk in the evening
- A car is always needed for downtown and the lakefront
Orchard Park Mall
About 9 minutes by car (8 km) from the airport; the historic centre of Kelowna is another quarter of an hour further south.
Best for: Travellers who want the shopping of Orchard Park Mall and a lower price than the lakefront.
- Close to the city's main shopping mall, convenient for shopping and chain restaurants
- Generally lower prices than the lakefront hotels
- Not an area designed for tourism: no lake and no evening life within walking distance
- A car is needed for both the airport and downtown
Recommended hotels
- Park Inn by Radisson, Kelowna Also known as Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Kelowna, near the Orchard Park Mall; indoor pool, games room and free breakfast. View availability
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Kelowna BC Art déco-style hotel with indoor pool, also close to the Orchard Park Mall; pet-friendly with free parking. View availability
Downtown Kelowna and the lakefront
About 11 km and 15-30 minutes by car from the airport, with no dedicated fast public transport link.
Best for: Travellers who want the Okanagan lakefront, restaurants and wineries of downtown just steps from the hotel.
- In the heart of Downtown Kelowna, with the highest location score among the city's options
- Shops, restaurants and the Okanagan Lake waterfront reachable on foot
- It's the farthest zone from the airport among those in the city
- On summer weekends prices rise because of events on the lakefront
Recommended hotels
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, expanded for growth in tourist traffic, is compact in size. From check-in to gate you typically walk about 10 minutes.
Security checks are generally swift; for flights with USA pre-clearance it's recommended to arrive at least 2–3 hours early.
Map of Kelowna International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is it worth renting a car in Kelowna?
Yes, it's very useful for touring the Okanagan Valley wineries, which are not well served by public transport from the airport.
Q. When is high season in Kelowna?
Summer, when visitors flock for Okanagan Lake and the food-and-wine activities: book flights and accommodation in advance.
Q. Can you pay by card at the Okanagan Valley wineries near Kelowna?
In most cases yes, but some family-run wineries accept only cash or Canadian debit cards: always carry a few dollars in cash as backup for a vineyard tour.
Q. What should you buy at Kelowna's duty free?
Okanagan Valley wines, among Canada's most renowned wine regions.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
