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Red Deer to Fort McMurray bus

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Red Deer - Fort McMurray Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 10 intercity buses per day from Red Deer to Fort McMurray. Traveling by bus from Red Deer to Fort McMurray usually takes around 9 hours and 15 minutes, but the fastest Cold Shot Bus bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance323 mi (520 km)
Shortest duration7h 15m
Cheapest price$99.88
Most frequent serviceCold Shot Bus
Bus lines3

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Red Deer to Fort McMurray

(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Jeanet

February 11, 2020- Visiting family

Cold Shot Bus

I enjoyed visiting my family. Thank you for the drivers for keeping us safe round trip.

I enjoyed visiting my family. Thank you for the drivers for keeping us safe round trip.

5.0

Jeanet

November 19, 2019- Visiting family

Cold Shot Bus

Pros: Enjoyable and great experience. Cons: Passengers should not occupy seats with their things. Tips: Don't act as if u rented/paid the whole bus. Need to give space for the other passengers.

Pros: Enjoyable and great experience. Cons: Passengers should not occupy seats with their things. Tips: Don't act as if u rented/paid the whole bus. Need to give space for the other passengers.

Buses from Red Deer to Fort McMurray

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How much is a bus ticket from Red Deer to Fort McMurray?

$100.92 is the average price of a bus ticket from Red Deer to Fort McMurray. While it’s on the pricier side for a bus ticket, taking the bus is still a cheaper alternative to flying. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.

Average prices by travel date

$183$122$61MarApr

Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Red Deer to Fort McMurray is expected to range from $138 to $179. If you are looking to travel to Fort McMurray within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from $138. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are $138 and can be found on March 31, 2023.

Monthly average prices

$136$109$81$54$27MJJASONDJFMA

The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in November. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just $114 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Red Deer to Fort McMurray in August, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to $126 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.

What bus companies travel from Red Deer to Fort McMurray?

There are 3 bus lines from Red Deer to Fort McMurray available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 5 daily trips, Cold Shot Bus usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Cold Shot Bus58h 22m$101.02
Ebus411h 3m$132.06
Red Arrow Motorcoach410h 3m$138.06

  • Cold Shot Bus has been operating in the Canadian province of Alberta since 2005. The regional bus company runs smaller shuttle buses with a maximum capacity of around 20 passengers. Because Cold Shot keeps prices low, passengers should expect a more basic experience without onboard Wi-Fi or power outlets. Cold Shot offers 5 daily trips on average from Red Deer to Fort McMurray, with prices at an average of .

  • ebus is a family-owned bus carrier that serves Alberta and British Columbia. ebus service offers passengers a comfortable yet budget-friendly way to travel. On your trip from Red Deer to Fort McMurray, you can expect Wi-Fi, power outlets, and onboard restrooms on the ebus coach. On ebus' 4 daily trips from Red Deer to Fort McMurray, the journey usually takes about 11 hours and 3 minutes.

  • Red Arrow buses connect popular destinations throughout Alberta in luxurious buses with the best amenities. Passengers enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, movies, power outlets, and extra legroom. Free water and snacks available for purchase round out the high-end vehicle's offerings. Red Arrow runs 4 trips each day from Red Deer to Fort McMurray, and tickets on this route usually cost about .

Frequently Asked Questions

Our bus partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, bus carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the bus or in stations.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 15 minutes to cover the 520 kilometers from Red Deer to Fort McMurray. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 15 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Because many passengers travel from Red Deer to Fort McMurray at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Red Deer to Fort McMurray, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 10 scheduled buses that travel from Red Deer to Fort McMurray every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.

City Information

Fort McMurray

Fort McMurray, AB - CAFMM-0

Image credit: miguelb

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Fort McMurray, AB - CAFMM-1

Image credit: formulanone

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Fort McMurray, AB - CAFMM-2

Image credit: Jason Woodhead

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Fort McMurray is a must-see destination for outdoor enthusiasts, but it also possesses a rich array of entertainment that is sure to entice all types of travelers. During the winter months, the Northern Lights produce dazzling displays of natural light that provide a magical backdrop to all of your nights in town. Surrounded by boreal woodland, it's also easy to embrace nature with birchwood hikes or forest snowmobiling expeditions, depending on when you visit. With its complex river system and vast spread of picturesque green space, Fort McMurray is a popular retreat for fishing trips and golf getaways. Helicopter tours are the best way to take in all of this natural beauty from above.

Visitors can get a flavor of Fort McMurray's vibrant cultural community with locally produced live performances at the Keyano Theatre and Norm Weiss Centre for the Visual and Performing Arts. Mouth-watering eateries serving up a range of cuisines populate both sides of the river, while the popular Boomtown Casino is worth a trip for those feeling lucky.

Bus travel on Cold Shot Bus along scenic highways connects Fort McMurray with Edmonton to the south and, from there, the rest of urbanized Canada. Efficient air travel across the country is available from the Fort McMurray International Airport, while boats running up and down the Athabasca River offer a more leisurely mode of transport.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Red Deer?

Main departure station: Red Deer Quality Inn

Red Deer has two bus stations with service to Fort McMurray.

All bus stations in Red Deer:

  • Red Deer Quality Inn

  • 6607 67 St

Where does the bus arrive in Fort McMurray?

Main arrival station: 10013 Macdonald Ave

Buses arrive in Fort McMurray at 5 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

Bus stations in Fort McMurray:

  • 10013 Macdonald Ave

  • Quality Inn

  • Shell Gas Station

  • 10016 Marshall St

  • Shell Gas Station

Get around town with Moovit

Download Moovit to see all of your local transit options in Fort McMurray. Download here

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