Kelowna International Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Kelowna Airport is about 11 km and 15-30 minutes north of downtown along Highway 97, with no dedicated fast public transport link. Travellers who want to stay minutes from the terminal find a couple of hotels right on Highway 97 North; those who prefer shopping have the Orchard Park Mall area, more central; those looking for the Okanagan lakefront and restaurants head instead to Downtown Kelowna.

Highway 97 North, next to the airport

Airport area · 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.

Pros

Minutes from the terminal, convenient for early morning flights
Rotary Beach Park and Boyce-Gyro Beach are about 8 km away

Cons

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

Recommended hotels in this area

Hilton Garden Inn Kelowna: New hotel on Highway 97 N, about 8 km from the beaches of Rotary Beach Park and Boyce-Gyro Beach; heated indoor pool, whirlpool and two water slides.

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Orchard Park Mall

Neighbourhood · 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.

Pros

Close to the city's main shopping mall, convenient for shopping and chain restaurants
Generally lower prices than the lakefront hotels

Cons

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 in this area

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.
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.

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Downtown Kelowna and the lakefront

City centre · 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.

Pros

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

Cons