Commuting options for students in Canada

There are a lot of options for transportation like buses, metros, cabs, personal cars, cycles, etc in Canada. But it’s better to opt for public transport as it is more affordable for daily travelling purposes. Also, for driving in Canada you need an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) from your own country.

There’s also an option of taking a driver’s license from Canada itself but that would involve a few tests and processes. Renting a car is also not a very convenient option if you want to save money but it’s good if you know how to drive, in case of any emergencies.

Here are a two most popular modes of transportation for students prevalent in Canada:

1. Travelling by train in Canada
   The train is a convenient and affordable mode of transportation for students. It has great offers for students who travel regularly. It doesn’t end here; rail services also provide complimentary Wi-Fi for staying connected. You can check the status and other details of the train for all Canadian provinces on Via Rail.

2. Travelling by buses in Canada
   Buses are the most popular and affordable means to travel in Canada for students. The service offers transit cards for convenience in travelling.

Canada has a vast geography and diverse urban areas, each with its own transportation system. From coast to coast, cities in Canada have developed transportation systems that suit their unique needs and preferences. Understanding the transportation systems in major Canadian cities can be highly beneficial for students, tourists, and residents. In this article, we will explore the city-wise transportation systems in Canada, highlighting the key features and benefits of each.

Ontario, Canada's second-largest province, offers various travel options for students. Public transit is an affordable option and is available in most of the major cities, including Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is one of the largest transit systems in North America, providing frequent and reliable service throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It offers student discounts on monthly passes, which can significantly reduce the cost of transportation.

Another popular option is GO Transit, which connects the GTA to other regions of Ontario, including Hamilton, Niagara, and Kitchener-Waterloo. GO Transit offers discounts for students and has a variety of ticket options, including single-ride tickets, day passes, and monthly passes.

Train: Presto is also used for trains/subways and students can recharge it every month.
Subway: Subway in Ontario has 3 lines:

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• Bloor-Dan fourth Line: Runs east to west through the city

• Young University Line: Runs north-south from Lake Ontario to northern Toronto

• Shepard Line: Runs east from Yonge Street along Shepard Avenue

Car: You can also rent a car if you have a G2 license. This method of transport saves time but is a bit expensive. There are many groups online where you will get such services.
Bike: The bike is starting from CA$ 175 and so on. This is very affordable and saves time a lot. Canada also has e-bikes that you can use to commute.

Overall, there are plenty of affordable and convenient travel options for students in Ontario, making it easy to get around and explore all that the province has to offer.

British Columbia, located in western Canada, offers a variety of travel options for students. Public transit is widely available in major cities such as Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna. British Columbia is a major transport hub between Asia Pacific and North America.

Cycling is also a popular and eco-friendly option in British Columbia, especially in cities like Vancouver, which has an extensive network of bike lanes and trails. Many universities and colleges in the province offer bike-sharing programs, where students can rent a bike for a low cost.

For students looking to explore the province's natural beauty, there are many hiking trails and camping sites located throughout British Columbia. Greyhound and other bus services offer intercity travel, making it easy to get to these destinations.

SkyTrain: SkyTrain is a fully automated, driverless rapid transit system in Vancouver, and has three lines:  

• Expo Line: Connects Vancouver with the cities of Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey

• Millennium Line: Runs from Vancouver through Burnaby to Port Moody and Coquitlam

• Canada Line: Connects downtown Vancouver with Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and the city of Richmond

Taxi: You can also download the Uber or Lyft app for a cab service. But it is a bit more expensive than other modes of transport.

For those looking to travel further afield, British Columbia has several airports, including Vancouver International Airport and Victoria International Airport, offering domestic and international flights. Overall, British Columbia offers a range of travel options for students, from public transit to cycling and hiking, making it easy to get around and explore the province's many attractions.

Alberta, located in western Canada, also offers a variety of travel options for students. Public transit is available in cities like Calgary and Edmonton, offering bus and light rail services. Many of these transit systems also offer student discounts on monthly passes.

Cycling is also a popular option in Alberta, especially in the summer months. Cities like Calgary have an extensive network of bike paths and trails, and many universities and colleges offer bike-sharing programs.

ARC card is the smart way to pay for your travel fares in Alberta. The fare starts at CA$ 2.75, and for students (13-18 age) the travel is free. This card also provides a monthly pass of CA$ 70 and above. This card benefits you once you've reached your fare limit, the rest of the days or months are free!

Manitoba, located in central Canada, offers various transportation options for students and visitors. Winnipeg, the capital city, is the primary transportation hub for the province, with Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport and Winnipeg Bus Terminal providing easy access to the city.

Within Winnipeg, the public transit system, Winnipeg Transit, offers a comprehensive network of buses and rapid transit lines, making it easy to navigate the city. The Peggo smart card system is used for fare payment, which allows users to pre-load funds onto the card and simply tap it when boarding the bus or train. For those who prefer to drive, car rentals are available at the airport and throughout the city. Winnipeg is also home to several taxi companies, and ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are available in the city.

Tap Car: There are local taxis, but you can also use Tap Car services to commute easily.

Bike: You can take a flat tire bike which will help you to travel in winter too. This is the most popular transit method used by students. Save cost and time.

App: You can also download the Winnipeg Transit App. Plan immediate or future trips with Navigo Trip Planner. Find stops and timetables and look up the routes.

In addition to these options, Manitoba also has a network of highways connecting major cities and towns throughout the province. Greyhound Canada, a national bus service, provides intercity transportation to destinations across Manitoba, making it easy to explore the province.

Quebec, the largest province in Canada, offers a variety of travel options for students. The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is the primary public transit system in the province, operating buses, and a metro system in Montreal. The metro system in Montreal is the second busiest in Canada and has four lines with a total of 68 stations. Students can purchase monthly passes at a discounted rate, making it an affordable option for regular use.

In addition to public transit, students can also use bike-sharing systems in Montreal and Quebec City. BIXI is a popular bike-sharing system in Montreal with over 7,000 bikes and 600 stations across the city. Similarly, in Quebec City, students can use the VéloQuébec system, which offers over 500 bikes and 70 stations.

For those looking to travel further, Via Rail Canada operates a passenger rail service in Quebec, connecting major cities like Montreal, Quebec City, and Ottawa. Several bus companies like Greyhound, Megabus, and Orleans Express offer intercity travel options.

Subway: The Blue Line - runs between the Snowdon Metro in Côte des Neiges Notre-Dame de Grasse and the Saint-Michel metro in Saint-Michel.

• The Orange Line: Runs between the Cote Vertex Metro in Ville Saint Laurent and the Montmorency metro in Laval

• Yellow line: Runs between the Veri UQAM metro in the Latin Quarter and the Longueuil Université de Sherbrooke metro in Longueuil

• The green line: The southwestern metro Angrignon- runs between Honoré-Beaugrand in Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

Overall, Quebec offers a range of affordable and convenient travel options for students to explore the province and beyond.

If you're an international student in Canada, using public transport is an excellent and safe way to get around. Not only does it offer significant discounts, but there are also numerous perks, such as discounts on movie tickets and shows. It's important to remember that these benefits can add up over time, helping you save money for future expenses. Additionally, all smart cards are rechargeable, and if your card expires, it can be renewed at no cost.

It is crucial to have a public transport card available round-the-clock in case of an emergency, as it can be a real lifesaver. Hence, it is highly recommended that students prioritise obtaining a public transport card as soon as they arrive in Canada for their further education.

If you have any further queries about studying in Canada, you can get in touch with our international education experts at IDP. They will help you with the end-to-end admission process.