Waterloo Airport Mini Guide
What Should Entice me to Visit Waterloo?
Waterloo in Ontario has a very eclectic mix of attractions including the second largest Oktoberfest outside of Munich. It is home to Canada’s hi-tech industries and one of its most revered maths and science faculties. Various carnivals and festivals take place in the city each year including the very popular Busker’s Fair. Outside the city, you have access to dramatic countryside with rivers, lakes and mountains encouraging outdoor adventurers from across the world. Not far away either is the world famous
Niagara Falls which are retreating into Canada by metres each year because of erosion.
How do I get in to Waterloo?
Waterloo is served by Kitchener/Waterloo Airport found just outside the town of Breslau and some eight miles from Waterloo. The only flights operational there are domestic flights plus one to the Dominican Republic and one to Detroit. Passengers from European destinations should fly to
Montreal or
Ottawa and make a connection there. Interestingly, there is no public transport to and from the airport apart from taxis so car hire may well be a good option.
What is the Airport Like?
The airport boasts a modern terminal built in 2003 and is currently the 20th busiest in the country despite taking relatively few commercial flights. It’s very compact and even the airport says it’s the size of your local supermarket! Inside, the layout is clear but the facilities are somewhat lacking for this size of airport.
What Should I Expect When I Land at Kitchener/Waterloo?
You’ll have to walk to the terminal building from the aircraft as there are no jet ways at the airport. The airport is all on one level so you won’t need to worry about stairs, lifts or elevators once you’ve got down the airport steps and have made your way inside. It’s a quick trip getting through security and immigration before emerging into the arrivals hall. There’s no dedicated help desk so just ask a member of staff if you need anything. Car hire companies are found with their desks against the rear wall of the terminal and don’t forget that as public transport is virtually non-existent apart from a taxi ride, you will need to pre-book your hire car. The terminal has an ATM for cash withdrawals but no currency exchange outlet.
What are the Facilities Like for Departing Passengers?
As the airport deals mainly with cargo and private charters, facilities for passengers on commercial flights are limited. There are no shops save a kiosk selling newspapers and sundries and there is only one food outlet although it does serve a good choice of delicious food. You can also pick up pre-packed snacks from the vending machines in the departure area. One bonus at the airport is the availability of airport-wide free Wi-Fi so if you quickly run out of things to do, at least you still have the internet.