Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Winnipeg Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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WE changed into kiddish pajamas in the bathrooms’ wheelchair stalls (yes, two!!) then we strutted back to our bunkers for the night, enjoying all the attention our apparel was receiving. – mackenzie and alex
YWG Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.
Where to Expect
Winnipeg Airport (code: YWG) is a small and recently built airport with a main terminal and a very small second terminal that caters exclusively to the regional carrier, Perimeter Aviation. The airport is simple, but there is still a good range of concessions, including two 24-hour options landside and free WiFi. While services and amenities are limited, economy-class passengers can pay to access one of two airport lounges.
Sleeping in Winnipeg Airport
Travellers at Winnipeg Airport are not permitted to sleep airside overnight. When security closes for the night, everyone airside will be asked to move landside until morning.
- Landside – Past-sleepers recommend the carpeted floor in Baggage Claim – and they also suggest that earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones are an asset. If you’re just taking a daytime nap, there are apparently some comfortable benches airside, where most seats have a minimum of three or five-chair armrest-free sections.
- Airside – Travellers report comfier sleep spots airside, which is helpful during the day but a bit of a drag at night when stuck in the landside area. Airside, you’ll find armrest-free benches and carpeting flooring.
This airport can get downright cold at night. Arrive prepared with a blanket or even a sleeping bag. A hoodie provides extra warmth if the terminal gets even colder.
If you’re looking for uninterrupted sleep, there is a hotel directly connected to the airport and other nearby hotels accessible by free airport shuttles. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Winnipeg Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Winnipeg Airport Hotels
Quick Facts
Nearest Hotel: At the Airport
Sleep Cabins or Pods: No
Day Rooms: No
Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes
When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair gives you nightmares, there is some good news for those who are looking to sleep at Winnipeg Airport in comfort. There is a hotel conveniently located at the airport, and several nearby hotels provide free shuttles.
- Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel – Located on airport grounds, across from the airport terminal. » Check Rates
Hotels near the airport with free shuttles
- Lakeview Signature Trademark Collection » Check Rates
- Courtyard by Marriott Winnipeg Airport » Check Rates
- Victoria Inn » Check Rates
- Hilton Suites Winnipeg Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Winnipeg, search for deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge – Location: Domestic/International departures, Airside. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- Plaza Premium Lounge – Location: Domestic/International departures, Main Terminal, Airside, across from Gate 6. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Winnipeg Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
A reader tells us there are water-bottle refill stations available outside the washrooms. (December 2024)
Food & Drinks
The airport offers various food options, both Landside and Airside. The following are available 24-hours: Tim Hortons (Landside, Arrivals).
Luggage Storage & Lockers
There is a coat check for travellers going somewhere warm and don’t want to take their coats with them. Location: Valet & Away, Arrivals, landside. Rate: $2 per day or $13.25 per week. Hours: Open 24 hours.
Mobile Charging
A reader let us know that mobile charging is available. He says, “I’m at Winnipeg airport right now, airside, charging my phone. There are plenty of power sockets including ones clearly intended for public use. Couldn’t tell you about land side though, sorry. ” (July 2018)
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free Wi-Fi is available at Winnipeg Airport, so connect to the “Free Airport Wi-Fi” network to start surfing.
Security & Safety
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Winnipeg Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s essential to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Please don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who awoke without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay sharp, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
Baby Care Facilities – Baby change tables are available at various locations throughout the airport.
Chapel – An inter-faith chapel is located on Departures Level 2, airside.
Children’s Play Area – Location: Arrivals Level, Landside • Departures Level, Airside, between Gates 8 / 9 and Gates 2 / 3.
Currency Exchange – International Currency Exchange is available. Location: Landside, Arrivals. Hours: 4:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Daily).
Duty-Free & Shopping – The Loop offers Duty-Free: Transborder flights, hours are 5:00 – 6:00 PM (or last flight) • International flights, open two hours before the first flight until after the last flight. A small selection of other shops is available. The Exchange News & Gifts may be handy for last-minute drinks and snacks. Location: Domestic, Airside, near Gate 6. Hours: 3:30 AM – 9:00 PM.
Information Desk – Location: Arrivals Level, Door # 2, landside. Hours: 8:00 AM – 9:45 PM. You can also seek assistance 24 hours a day from one of the many Information phones located throughout the terminal. Look for the phones with a black question mark sign.
Pet Relief Area – An airport employee tells us, “there is a pet relief area inside the terminal on the airside (domestic/international area), as well as outdoors at the arrivals area (in the smoking area close to the bus stops).” (October 2021)
Smoking – Smoking is not permitted in the terminal. There is a designated smoking area located outside near Arrivals (landside).
Bus
Winnipeg Transit bus routes 15 and 20 access YWG airport. For more information and to plan your route, visit the Winnipeg Transit website.
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies are available on the main level of the 4-level Parkade: Avis/Budget/Payless • Enterprise • Hertz • National/Alamo.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels offer free airport shuttle service as a convenience for their guests. Here are a few hotels offering airport shuttle service: Best Western Plus Winnipeg Airport Hotel • Canad Inns Polo Park • Comfort Inn Airport • Courtyard Winnipeg Airport • Hampton Inn by Hilton Winnipeg Airport/Polo Park • Hilton Winnipeg Airport Suites • Holiday Inn Winnipeg – Airport West • MainStay Suites Winnipeg • Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown • Sandman Hotel & Suites Winnipeg Airport • Victoria Inn • Viscount Gort Hotel Banquet and Conference Centre.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxi
Metered Unicity taxis are available near Exit 3 of the airport terminal.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.