Saskatoon international airport (YXE)

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE), opened in 1929, is the primary airport in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada. It operates domestic flights to key hubs including Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Winnipeg, as well as direct international services to the United States (Minneapolis) and seasonal sun destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.

Official Website: yxe.ca

Phone: +1 306 975 8900

Social Media:

Terminals

The airport features a single two-level passenger terminal building. Floor 1 houses airline check-in counters, arrivals with baggage claim carousels, security checkpoints, and ground transportation access. Floor 2 accommodates departure gates (1 to 9), retail shops, and dining establishments. Both floors are connected by escalators and elevators. The public concourse remains open 24 hours.

Annual Traffic (2025): 1,517,000 passengers.

Information Desks

The central Information Booth is located in the middle of the pre-security terminal concourse and is staffed from 4:00 am to 1:00 am. The ParkXE Desk near check-in assists with curbside and parking inquiries, while Saskatoon Shines / Airport Ambassadors volunteers provide visitor and city information in the arrivals area.

 Location

The airport is located 6 km (4 miles) northwest of downtown Saskatoon, in the province of Saskatchewan.

Public and private transportation

The airport is located about a 15-minute drive from downtown Saskatoon, offering several ground transportation alternatives along the curbside directly outside the terminal.

Ride-sharing Apps

Both Uber and Lyft are authorized to pick up and drop off passengers at designated curbside zones outside the terminal building (an airport commercial surcharge applies).

Public Transit Bus

Saskatoon Transit operates Route 11, providing direct connections between the airport curbside stop and the Downtown Bus Terminal. The buses feature low-floor entry with accessibility ramps. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes, with services departing every 30 to 60 minutes. Timetables and fares are available on Saskatoon Transit schedules and fares.

Taxis

Licensed taxis are queued along the terminal arrivals curbside around the clock. Fares are calculated by zone-based flat rates or taximeter, plus an airport departure surcharge. The drive to the city centre takes about 15 minutes. Authorized taxi providers include Captain Taxi, Hey Taxi, Radio Cabs, Metro Taxi, Riide, Country Taxi, and Comfort Cab Group.

Private Car Service and Limousines

Pre-arranged chauffeured vehicles and executive car services are available through providers such as Living Skies Limousine, Provincial Car Service, and Prestige Car Service.

Car rental agencies

Car rental company counters are located on the ground floor of the terminal inside the arrivals concourse. Rental vehicles are picked up and returned in the adjacent lot just outside the building.

On-Site Rental Agencies

• Avis: Weekdays from 7:00 am to 1:30 am; Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 am to 1:30 am.
• Budget: Weekdays from 7:00 am to 1:30 am; Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 am to 1:30 am.
• Alamo: Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 1:30 am; Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 am to 1:30 am.
• Enterprise: Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 1:30 am; weekends from 8:00 am to 1:30 am.
• National: Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 1:30 am; Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 am to 1:30 am.
• Hertz: Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 1:30 am; Saturdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 am; Sundays from 9:00 am to 1:30 am.

Accessible Rental Vehicles

Hand-controlled adaptive driving vehicles can be requested by notifying the chosen rental company at least 72 hours in advance.

Parking services at Saskatoon international airport (YXE)

Outdoor surface parking facilities at Saskatoon Airport are managed by ParkXE, featuring 24/7 security monitoring right in front of the terminal building. Up-to-date parking costs can be checked at Official parking rates.

Parking Options

• StandardXE (Long-Term): Situated behind the front lot. Pricing is $2.50 CAD per 30 minutes, up to a daily maximum of $19.00 CAD (24 hours) and a weekly maximum of $133.00 CAD (7 consecutive days). Includes 5 Plugzio electric vehicle charging stations in section E5.
• ExpressXE (Short-Term): Located immediately in front of the terminal entrance for short visits and drop-offs. Costs $2.50 CAD per 30 minutes, with a daily cap of $30.00 CAD and a weekly cap of $210.00 CAD.
• jetSet Parking (Value Lot): Economy parking ($1.00 CAD per 30 minutes, $11.00 CAD daily, $77.00 CAD weekly) connected by a free terminal shuttle bus (subject to seasonal operating schedules).

Important Considerations

• Park & Wait (Cell Phone Waiting Lot): A complimentary waiting area located on the right side of Airport Drive for drivers waiting for arriving passengers who have collected their luggage.
• Curbside Drop-off / Pick-up: Strictly reserved for active loading and unloading. A 5-minute time limit is enforced with automated camera ticketing.

Payment Methods

Payment can be made at indoor pay stations (cash, debit, and credit cards), at the exit gates using credit or debit cards, or by scanning the QR code printed on the entry parking ticket directly from a mobile device.

Facilities for passengers with special needs

Saskatoon Airport is fully equipped to support travelers with reduced mobility or special assistance needs throughout their journey.

Assistance Requests

Wheelchair assistance from check-in through to boarding gates must be requested in advance directly with the airline (at least 48 to 72 hours before departure). Escort passes allowing non-traveling companions through security may be granted at the airline ticket counter’s discretion.

Curbside Support and Accessibility

Complimentary Curbside Assistance provides wheelchair transfer or walking support between the drop-off curb and the check-in counters, or from baggage claim out to ground transportation. This service can be requested at the ParkXE desk or by calling +1 306 934 7275. Terminal facilities include ramps, accessible elevators, barrier-free restrooms, and transit wheelchairs at terminal entrances.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

The airport officially participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. Passengers who would benefit from discreet additional support can request a free sunflower lanyard at the central Information Booth in the pre-security concourse.

Unaccompanied Minors

Supervision services for minors traveling alone are administered directly by each airline according to their individual policies and fees.