Kelowna Airport Parking

Kelowna International Airport is among the busiest of airports in Canada, with over a million passengers per annum, and is only expected to grow in passenger numbers in future years. The airport is located in British Columbia, just 11.5km, or 7.1 miles from the city of Kelowna, and is recognised by its official IATA code of YLW. It is served by several important airline companies, including Air Canada and WestJet, and flights are offered to local and international cities. Kelowna International Airport parking is available for motorists in two main areas. The parking lots are reasonably priced, and provide easy access to the terminal building.

The airport of YLW, or Your Link to the World as the airport authorities refer to it, is easily accessed via the Highway 97 from Kelowna city centre and from areas further north and south of the city, such as Vernon, Summerland and Penticton. It is to the northeast of the city centre, and on the eastern side of the Okanagan Lake. From most areas of the city, motorists should reach the airport in ten to twenty minutes. Kelowna Airport consists of a single terminal building that handles domestic and international flights by several airline companies. All facilities of the airport can be reached on foot, and the buildings are accessible to disabled passengers. Departing passengers or visitors have a couple of options for parking their vehicle at the airport. There is a short-term car park, a long-term car park, as well as curb-side parking spaces. Frequent travellers can also sign up for the Gold Pass Program and always be guaranteed a perfect parking space upon their arrival. In total, the airport offers around 2,600 spaces for private vehicles.

Short-term parking and curb-side parking

Motorists may not park in front of the terminal building, however, there is an area with metered curb-side parking available. A ticket from the ‘Pay and Display’ meter will need to be purchased and then displayed face up on the windshield of the vehicle. The vehicle may remain in the space for up to thirty minutes. Any vehicle staying over this time limit will be subject to an Over Parking Ticket. However, there are also additional parking spaces at the lot nearby the south entrance doors of the terminal where motorists may park overnight. These spaces will cost $15.00 per twenty-four hours. Keep in mind that vehicles parked in the active passenger loading and unloading zones will be ticketed and towed. This area is only for a quick drop off of departing passengers and their luggage items, or a quick collection of a passenger who has arrived and is waiting at curb-side.

The short-term car park of Kelowna Airport is ideal for stays of a few minutes, a few hours or even a day or two. It is well lit and patrolled by security officials, and open twenty-four hours a day. It is also within easy walking distance of the terminal and check-in area. The first hour of parking here will cost $1.25, and each hour thereafter will cost $2.25, up until a maximum charge of $15.00 per twenty-four hours. Payments for the short-term lot can be made in cash or by credit card at the ticket booth, open from 05:30am until half an hour after the last flight of the day has landed, or by Interac/debit card at the parking booth. There are also express lanes which take credit cards only. However, the first fifteen minutes of parking is free of charge.

Long-term parking

The long-term parking lot is another well lit and security patrolled area, and offers slightly cheaper rates. Parking is free for the first fifteen minutes, and $1.25 is charged per hour up until a maximum of $10.00 per twenty-four hours. There is also a weekly maximum rate of $50.00. Payments for this lot can be made in cash or by credit card at the Pay on Foot machine in the passenger shelter, which is to the south of the terminal. Although the long-term car park is not far from the terminal, passengers can use the free shuttle service available. They are Toyota hybrid vehicles with orange flags, and are usually found nearby the car park entrance, or at the south entrance of the terminal. Simply wave to the driver and he will give you a free lift from your car to the airport building.

The Gold Pass Parking Program

This program is ideally suited to frequent travellers who often make use of airport parking. For $800, six months of parking can be purchased, which is generally less than a 1/3 of the monthly maximum rates that are usually charged at the short-term lot. Gold Pass members are able to park anytime at the ‘gold section’ at the south end of the airport building. Passengers will also receive 100 air miles when a Gold Pass is purchased. Keep in mind that the pass is valid only for a specific vehicle and driver, and is therefore not transferable. Further details are available on the Royal Star website, at http://www.royalstarkelowna.com, or the Royal Star can be contacted at 250-765-5612.

Handicapped parking

Kelowna International Airport is fully accessible to disabled passengers/visitors, as there are pavement ramps, elevators to higher levels and suitable restrooms. There are also special handicapped parking spaces available in the short-term parking lot which are conveniently located adjacent to the terminal. Further spaces are available in the north end of the long-term car park and there is a special curb-less loading and unloading area nearby the south end of the terminal building.

Although no reservations can be made for Kelowna International Airport parking, it is only on very rare occasions that the parking areas are fully loaded. The airport can be contacted for more information at 250-765-5125.