Transit Information

Informations sur les transports

Transit to McMaster University

From Union Station (Toronto ON)

From Montréal Central Station | Gare Centrale du Montréal

From Ottawa

From Union Station (Toronto ON)

NOTES & TIPS

GO Bus Route 15 vs. Route 16: Route 16 runs directly from the Union Station Bus Terminal to the McMaster University GO Bus Terminal, so it is typically faster. Route 15 serves Aldershot GO Station and Burlington before reaching McMaster. Check schedules at gotransit.com.
PRESTO Student Discount: Full-time post-secondary students save 40% on GO fares with PRESTO. This does not apply to the TTC or the HSR.
HSR from Hamilton GO Centre: If arriving at Hamilton GO Centre (downtown), take HSR Route 1 King or Route 5 Delaware westbound toward campus (~15–20 min).
McMaster GO Bus Terminal: Located on the west side of campus, between Thode Library and Mary Keyes Residence.
One Fare: With a PRESTO card, tapping on GO Transit and then HSR (or vice versa) within the transfer window may qualify for the One Fare discount — you only pay one fare for the combined trip. Tap on every time you board.

GO TRANSIT (BUS 15 / BUS 16):

Time: ~1.5 hrs to Campus - Direct bus from Union Station Bus Terminal to McMaster University
Pay by: Cash (exact fare)/Presto card/Presto E-tickets/Card (contactless tap)

Fare: ~$13.15 CAD (one-way, adult, no PRESTO)

$11.06 CAD (PRESTO fare)

- - - - It is recommended to purchase a PRESTO CARD for this route
        GO bus fares are primarily distance-based, calculated by the number of fare zones you travel through between your boarding and exit points

Post-Secondary Students (full-time): $7.89 CAD (PRESTO, 40% discount) (requires GO Transit Student ID or McMaster HSR U-Pass ID, set up youth fare type at Union Station customer service)

GO TRANSIT (TRAIN — LAKESHORE WEST) + HSR (BUS) (1 transfer at Aldershot GO Station):

Steps:

Take the Lakeshore West GO Train from Union Station to Aldershot GO Station
Transfer to GO Bus Route 15/17 or HSR toward McMaster University

Time: GO Train Duration: ~1h 9m (Union Station → Aldershot GO) + GO Bus ~15 min (Aldershot GO → McMaster)
Pay train/HSR by: Cash (exact fare)/Presto card/Presto E-tickets/Card (contactless tap)

Fare: ~$11.06 CAD (PRESTO, Union Station → Aldershot GO) + $3.75 CAD (HSR, if needed)

Post-Secondary Students (full-time): $7.89 CAD (PRESTO, 40% discount)

Trains depart Union Station every 15–30 min during peak hours; less frequent off-peak and weekends

It is recommended to purchase a PRESTO CARD for this route. With One Fare, transferring between GO and HSR may be discounted

FLIXBUS (BUS):

FlixBus departs from the Union Station Bus Terminal and stops directly at the McMaster University bus stop on Main St. W (near Bowman St.). No HSR transfer required. Routes run approx. every 4 hours)

Time: ~45–75 min to Campus; Direct bus from Union Station Bus Terminal to McMaster

Fare: Approx: $7–$13 CAD (one-way; book in advance for best rates)

Book by: FlixBus Website / App Store / Google Play Store

TAXI:

City Taxi Toronto (+1 416-740-2222) / Beck Taxi (+1 416-751-5555)

Time: ~47 min to Campus; Highway route

Fare: ~$80–$110 CAD

UBER:

Uber website / App Store / Google Play Store

Time: ~47 min to Campus; Highway route

Fare: ~$65–$100 CAD (prices vary by time/demand)

From Montréal Central Station | Gare Centrale du Montréal

NOTES & TIPS

VIA Rail + GO: The VIA Rail train departs from Gare Centrale (Central Station) in downtown Montréal. At Toronto Union Station, proceed to the GO Bus Terminal (ground level) to board the GO Bus toward McMaster University.
HSR from Hamilton GO Centre: If arriving at Hamilton GO Centre (downtown), take HSR Route 1 King or Route 5 Delaware westbound toward campus (~15–20 min).
McMaster GO Bus Terminal: Located on the west side of campus, between Thode Library and Mary Keyes Residence.

VIA RAIL (TRAIN) + GO TRANSIT (BUS) + HSR (BUS) (2 transfers at Toronto Union Station + Hamilton GO Centre):

It is recommended to purchase a PRESTO CARD for GO Transit

Time:

VIA Rail (Montréal Central Station → Toronto Union Station): ~5h

GO BUS TICKET (Union Station Bus Terminal → McMaster University): ~1.5 hrs

Pay by:

Via Rail: Vending machine/Ticket window/VIA rail website (Student discounts available)

GO bus ticket: Tickets/PRESTO CARD / PRESTO E-TICKETS/Card (contactless tap)

Fare: ~$54–$160 CAD (VIA Rail, one-way Economy) + $13.15 CAD (GO Bus, one-way) / $11.06 (PRESTO fare) + $3.75 CAD (HSR)

FLIXBUS — Direct to McMaster University:

FlixBus connects Montréal directly to Hamilton (McMaster University stop on Main St. W) with a stop at Toronto Union Station Bus Terminal along the way.

No transfer to HSR needed, FlixBus stops directly at the McMaster University bus stop

FlixBus Website / App Store / Google Play Store

Time: ~9-10hrs (with Toronto stop)

Fare: ~$30–$80 CAD (one-way, book in advance for best rates; overnight routes available)

Departure in Montréal: Gare d'autocars de Montréal, 1717 Rue Berri

Arrival in Hamilton: Main St. W @ Bowman St. (McMaster University stop)

TAXI:

Taxi Diamond (Montréal) (+1 514-273-6331) / Taxi Hochelaga (+1 514-523-5059)

Fare: ~$550–$700 CAD (Montréal to Hamilton; long-haul intercity rate, variable)

Confirm out-of-province/long-haul rate with driver before departure

UBER:

Uber website / App Store / Google Play Store

Price: ~$350–$500 CAD (Montréal to Hamilton; prices vary significantly by time/demand)

Uber long-distance intercity trips are available but may require driver acceptance; confirm before booking

CARPOOLING:

Poparide (popular Canadian carpooling platform)

Price: ~$35–$70 CAD (estimated driver contribution per seat, Montréal → Hamilton)

From Ottawa

NOTES & TIPS

FlixBus Ottawa stops: FlixBus Ottawa stops: Ottawa VIA Rail Station (200 Tremblay Rd) is the main downtown stop. Additional pick-up points at Gloucester Centre (near Blair LRT Station) and Kanata (Terry Fox Dr) for those in the east or west end of the city.
VIA Rail + GO: The VIA Rail train departs from Ottawa Station (200 Tremblay Rd). At Toronto Union Station, proceed to the GO Bus Terminal (ground level) for the GO Bus toward McMaster University.
HSR from Hamilton GO Centre: If arriving at Hamilton GO Centre (downtown), take HSR Route 1 King or Route 5 Delaware westbound toward campus (~15–20 min).
McMaster GO Bus Terminal: Located on the west side of campus, between Thode Library and Mary Keyes Residence.

VIA RAIL (TRAIN) + GO TRANSIT (BUS) + HSR:

It is recommended to purchase a PRESTO CARD for GO Transit and HSR

Time:

VIA Rail (Ottawa Station → Toronto Union Station): ~4.5 hrs

GO bus ticket (Union Station Bus Terminal → McMaster University): ~1.5 hrs

Pay by:

Via Rail: Vending machine/Ticket window/VIA rail website (Student discounts available)

GO bus ticket: Tickets/PRESTO CARD / PRESTO E-TICKETS/Card (contactless tap)

HSR bus ticket: PRESTO CARD / PRESTO E-TICKETS/Card (contactless tap)

Fare: ~$38–$160 CAD (VIA Rail, one-way Economy) + $13.15 CAD (GO Bus, one-way) / $11.06 (PRESTO fare) + $3.75 CAD (HSR)

FLIXBUS — Direct to McMaster University:

FlixBus runs direct buses from Ottawa to Hamilton (McMaster University stop on Main St. W). Up to 10 direct departures per day, including overnight options. No transfers required.

FlixBus Website / App Store / Google Play Store

Time: ~7.5 hrs (direct)

Fare: ~$57–$80 CAD (one-way, book in advance for best rates)

Departure in Ottawa: Ottawa VIA Rail Station (200 Tremblay Rd) + Gloucester Centre (Blair Station LRT) + Kanata (Terry Fox Dr)

Arrival in Hamilton: Main St. W @ Bowman St. (McMaster University stop)

TAXI:

Blue Line Taxi Ottawa (+1 613-238-1111) / Capital Taxi Ottawa (+1 613-744-3333)

Fare: ~$600–$800 CAD (Ottawa to Hamilton; long-haul intercity rate, variable)

Confirm out-of-province/long-haul rate with driver before departure

UBER:

Uber website / App Store / Google Play Store

Price: ~$400–$550 CAD (Ottawa to Hamilton; prices vary significantly by time/demand)