The Complete Guide to Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE)

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE) is the busiest airport in the province of Saskatchewan, with flights to destinations across North America.

Location and Transportation

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport is located 15 minutes north of Downtown Saskatoon at 2625 Airport Drive in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

There’s public transportation to and from the airport provided by bus route 11. The bus runs daily from 6am until 12:35am Monday to Saturday, and from 8:45am until 9:35pm on Sundays.

Taxis servicing Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport give you the option of either a set rate or a standard metered fare.

Ride-sharing is also available through the Uber app, so if you are travelling during peak hours, consider doing a price comparison between the dynamic Uber pricing and the flat-rate taxi option.

Car rental desks can be found on the airport’s lower level, and the cars are located outside, just south of the terminal in the designated car rental parking lot.

Car rental companies available at Saskatoon International Airport include the following:

• Avis
• Alamo
• Budget
• Enterprise
• National
• Hertz
• Thrifty

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport also has a dedicated cell phone waiting area located on the right-hand side of Airport Drive at A26-A32, Airport Crescent.

Terminals

There’s only one terminal at Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport, and it’s split into two floors.

The lower level of the terminal is home to the arrivals area, the check-in counters, international and domestic baggage claim, security, and passport control.

The upper level is the departure area for both domestic and international flights and has gates numbered 1 to 9.

Airlines and Destinations

Four airlines fly in and out of Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker’s main terminal. From Saskatoon, you can take direct flights to destinations across North America and the Caribbean.

The following airlines provide service to the airport:

Star Alliance

• Air Canada

Other Airlines

• Flair Airlines
• Transwest Air
• WestJet

Lounges

There’s one lounge located in the Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport, providing eligible passengers with a pleasant space in which to wait for their flight’s departure.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge

The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge is located in the departures area next to gate 5. The lounge is open daily from 4:30am to 6:30pm.

Priority Services

Saskatoon International Airport offers priority services for premium ticket holders or elite status holders. These services may include priority check-in, security, boarding, and baggage, as well as lounge access.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that priority services are usually specific to the airline, so they’ll change depending on who you are flying with.

Airport Hotels

There are no airport hotels located on-site at Saskatoon International Airport; however, the following hotels are nearby:

• Courtyard by Marriott Saskatoon Airport
• Best Western Plus Airport Inn & Suites
• Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Saskatoon Airport

Additionally, the Sandman Hotel Saskatoon, which is located a little further away, offers complimentary airport shuttles for its guests.

International Transfers

For those passing through Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport from the US or another country, you’ll need to go through passport control upon arrival.

Following this, you can then proceed to collect your baggage and check-in for your next flight as usual.

US Pre-Clearance

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport doesn’t have a US pre-clearance facility, so you’ll need to go through the formalities when you land at your first port of entry in the US.