Major city · Canada
Hanna
Stop for one night if you are driving Calgary–Saskatoon; skip it as a destination unless you want the museum or the town's hockey and music story.
Hanna is a small prairie town of about 2,400 people on the junction of Highway 9 and Highway 36, roughly 211 km east of Calgary and 402 km west of Saskatoon. It is an agricultural and oil-and-gas supply centre, and almost everyone who sees it is passing through on that drive. The draw is a compact pioneer museum, two small lakes with campgrounds, and the town's own pride in being the home of the band Nickelback and of hockey player Lanny McDonald. There is no scheduled air service and no real downtown to wander for a day, so plan it as a stop, not a stay.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold and snow), and any night when a winter storm closes Hwy 9 or Hwy 36
- Airports
- YYC · HNA
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Hanna911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Hanna RCMP (non-emergency)403-854-4433
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hanna, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyA quiet town with no particular tourist crime problem.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 403-854-4433 Hanna RCMP (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYYC Calgary International (About 2 h 15 min by car via Hwy 9; the practical gateway for Hanna.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a basic breakfastC$10–18 (≈ US$8–14)
- BeerBeer in a loungeC$7–9 (≈ US$6–7)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryC$5–12 (≈ US$4–9) (check)
- Budget bedCampsite at Fox Lake or Prairie Oasis Park, a night, per roomC$30 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$140 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$200 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$80 (≈ US$60) · Mid C$150 (≈ US$110) · High C$260 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YYC Calgary International (About 2 h 15 min by car via Hwy 9; the practical gateway for Hanna.) · HNA Hanna Airport (2 km (1.2 mi) southeast of town; no scheduled flights.)YYC Calgary International (About 2 h 15 min by car via Hwy 9; the practical gateway for Hanna.) · HNA Hanna Airport (1.2 mi (2 km) southeast of town; no scheduled flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Feb
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
not flagged
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Dec
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Hanna: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
7 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
6 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
7 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
Nov
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
6 rd
Dec
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Hanna has no transit and the town is spread along the highway, so the museum, the motels and the restaurants are each a short drive apart. Fuel up here before the long empty stretch east toward Oyen or west toward Drumheller.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive west on Hwy 9 via Hwy 56
Badlands, hoodoos and the Royal Tyrrell Museum; a full day, or sleep there instead.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Drive south on Hwy 36
Useful as a services stop on the way to Dinosaur Provincial Park, not a day out on its own.
Door to door: About 2 h 30 min
Drive south on Hwy 36 then east on the Trans-Canada
Too far for a return day; sleep there if you are heading to Saskatchewan.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Palliser Trail (Hwy 9 strip)
The main highway strip: Canalta and the truck-stop services. Best if you are arriving late and leaving early.
2nd Ave W
The older town side, with the Canada Grey Motor Inn and West View Motel; a few minutes' walk from the cafés and the pizza place.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$80–130 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$130–220 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- C$220 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × C$140 | C$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$150 | C$300 |
| Fuel, Calgary to Hanna and back1 × C$90 · check | C$90 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$20 | C$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$57 |
| Trip total≈ C$314 per person per day, bed included | C$627≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; fuel and car costs excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a basic breakfast | C$10–18 (≈ US$8–14) |
| Burger or pizza main | C$16–28 (≈ US$12–25) |
| Beer in a lounge | C$7–9 (≈ US$6–7) |
| Museum entry | C$5–12 (≈ US$4–9) (check) |
| Campsite, unserviced | C$25–40 (≈ US$19–30) (check) |
| Fuel, per litre | C$1.40–1.70 (≈ US$2) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances between prairie towns are long and services are sparse: leave with a full tank.
- Winter storms can close Hwy 9 and Hwy 36 with little warning; check road conditions before setting out.
- Cell coverage is fine in town but patchy on the surrounding range roads.
- Many businesses are seasonal or close early: the visitor centre runs May to August only.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Hanna RCMP (non-emergency)
- 403-854-4433
Pocket card
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HannaHanna
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Hanna RCMP (non-emergency)403-854-4433
Embassy
No embassies in Hanna. The nearest consulates are in Calgary; national embassies are in Ottawa.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Calgary to Hanna by car: about 211 km (131 mi), 2 h 15 minabout 131 mi (211 km), 2 h 15 min
- Hanna to Saskatoon by car: about 402 km (250 mi), 4 h 15 minabout 250 mi (402 km), 4 h 15 min
- Hanna to Drumheller by car: about 1 h 30 min
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the gas station? — Where is the gas station?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is it far? — Is it far?
Tipping is expected in Canada: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hanna. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold and snow), and any night when a winter storm closes Hwy 9 or Hwy 36 · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Hanna
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