Getting Around Guelph
Guelph is a fairly compact city, and traffic is rarely too busy, so getting around is generally straightforward. The city does experience some urban sprawl, especially in the south, but most visitor destinations are easy to reach by car, on foot, by bike, or on the local bus network.
By Car
Driving is generally a fast option for getting around Guelph. If you're arriving from Highway 401, take exit 295 onto Highway 6 North (the Hanlon Expressway): exit at Wellington Street for downtown, or at Stone Road or College Road to reach the University of Guelph via Gordon Street. Alternatively, exit at Brock Road (old Highway 6) and head north through the village of Aberfoyle; this road becomes Gordon Street at the city limits, with the university on your right after Stone Road, and continues into downtown as Norfolk Street. That route is more direct and more scenic, but slower than the Hanlon.
Two other surface highways pass through Guelph: Highway 7, which links the city with Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford to the west and Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area to the east, and Wellington Street/Eramosa Road (formerly Highway 24), which connects Guelph with Brantford and Cambridge to the south and Erin and Caledon to the north.
Parking downtown is ample. City-owned lots are on Baker, Macdonell, and Wilson Streets, and there is plenty of street parking. Parking is free on evenings and Sundays and reasonably priced at other times.
By Train
Guelph Central Station, at the corner of Wyndham Street on Carden Street, is housed in an attractive railway heritage structure. Two operators serve it:
- GO Transit runs its Kitchener route between Toronto and Kitchener, stopping in Mississauga (Malton), Brampton, Georgetown, Acton, and Guelph. Most trips run toward Toronto in the morning rush and toward Kitchener in the afternoon rush, with a few extra round trips during the day and evening. Travel time from Toronto is about 1.75 hours, and it is cheaper than VIA Rail. Trains from Toronto can be crowded and there is no reserved seating. Fares can be paid by credit, debit, or Presto card. GO Transit refers to the station as "Guelph Central GO" on train and bus schedules.
- VIA Rail Canada operates a daily route between Sarnia and Toronto, with stops in London, St. Marys, Stratford, Kitchener, Guelph, Georgetown, Brampton, and Mississauga. Trains to Guelph take about 1.25 hours from Toronto, 2 hours from London, and 3 hours from Sarnia; Windsor can be reached by transferring at London.
One useful perk for rail passengers: GO Transit customers are eligible for one free ride on Guelph Transit buses to and from Guelph Central Station. To get it, show the bus driver a Presto card, a single-ride GO Transit ticket, or a GO Transit day ticket. If you board a Guelph Transit bus at the railway station and need to transfer to a second bus, ask for a transfer. Apart from this exception, Presto and GO Transit fare media are not valid on Guelph Transit.
By Bus
Intercity buses also operate from Guelph Central Station:
- GO Transit runs direct buses from Bramalea GO station and Mount Pleasant GO station (both in Brampton), Square One (Mississauga), and Kipling station (Etobicoke), as well as service from Kitchener-Waterloo and Hamilton on route 17. Route 17 also stops at Aldershot station, which has frequent train service from Toronto Union Station. GO Transit fares can be paid by Presto card.
- Guelph Owen Sound Transportation (GOST) operates a bus route between Guelph and Owen Sound, with a morning and an afternoon trip daily. The trip from Owen Sound takes about 2.25 hours.
By Public Transit
Guelph Transit operates buses within the city, with the hub of the network at St. George's Square in Downtown Guelph. On most routes, buses depart from the Square on the hour and at 20 and 40 minutes past the hour on weekdays, and run on a 30-minute service evenings and weekends, leaving the Square at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour. Cash fare is $3, and a day pass costs $8.
By Taxi and Ride-Hailing
Guelph has two main cab companies, both based on Macdonell Street downtown: Canadian Cab and Red Top Taxi. Uber also operates in the city for ride-hailing.
On Foot and by Bike
Walking or cycling are reasonable options for destinations within walking or cycling distance. Guelph's compact layout, and its historic street plan of squares, broad main streets, and narrow side streets branching out from downtown, make the core particularly easy to explore on foot.
Getting There from the Airport
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Waterloo Airport (YKF), which serves Vancouver, Calgary, and winter getaway destinations such as Fort Lauderdale, Punta Cana, and Cancún. Additional flights are available at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) or Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). The Red Car Service provides car service from Guelph to each of these airports.