Getting Around Saskatoon
Saskatoon is the largest city in Saskatchewan, straddling a bend in the South Saskatchewan River, and it's known as the "City of Bridges" and the "Paris of the Prairies." For a visitor, the practical reality is that this is a car-oriented city with a compact, walkable core of tourist-friendly districts. Most trips will fall into one of a few buckets: walking the riverbank and central neighbourhoods, taking Saskatoon Transit buses, hailing a taxi or ride-hailing car, or driving yourself.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Saskatoon has no metro, tram, or light rail network, and there is no commuter rail service for getting around the city. The only passenger rail presence is VIA Rail's The Canadian, which stops at Saskatoon station on its long-distance route between Toronto and Vancouver. That station sits southwest of downtown in a remote industrial area, with no rental cars on site. Taxis are the effective way into town from there, and determined public transit users can walk to Haida Avenue at Ortona Street to catch Saskatoon Transit route 9 toward downtown. In short: rail is a way to arrive in Saskatoon, not a way to move around it.
Buses and Public Transit
Saskatoon Transit serves most of the city, with both regular and express (DART) service. The system is hub-based, and the City Centre Hub downtown is the most useful one for travellers — most buses pass through the downtown terminal, making it easy to reach destinations across the city from there.
- Where to get information: Timetables for every bus are available at the downtown terminal, on Saskatoon Transit's website, and in the Transit app.
- Buying fares: You can pay cash for individual fares, or buy a GoCard and load packages of rides at a discount.
- Where to buy: Tickets are sold at the Customer Service Centre, at City Hall, and at shops such as Co-op, Mac's, Safeway, and Shoppers Drug Mart — a complete list is on Saskatoon Transit's website.
- In the a Tickets can also be purchased in the Transit app, including single tickets, multi-ride packs, and 30-day passes.
- Customer service: The walk-in Customer Service Centre can answer questions and sell bus tickets, and the phone line keeps longer hours than the counter.
For a visitor staying downtown or in the central neighbourhoods, the bus network is a reasonable option for reaching places beyond walking distance, but it is not a rapid-transit-style system, so allow extra time.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are easy to find but generally pricey. A short drive — enough to get you most places in the city outside of rush hour — is a common way to cover ground quickly. Several local taxi companies operate, and both Uber and Riide provide ride-hailing; Riide also functions as a taxi service reachable by phone and app. For trips to or from the VIA Rail station, taxis are the practical choice.
Walkability
Walking is a great way to get around the compact and pedestrian-friendly tourist haunts: the Meewasin park along the river, the Central Business District, Broadway Avenue, and Nutana. These areas are close together and rewarding on foot, and the riverbank park spaces protected by the Meewasin Valley Authority are a highlight of any visit. Beyond the centre, however, the city sprawls, and walking becomes less practical.
Cycling
Saskatoon is a very bicycling-friendly city and has one of the highest per-capita commuter cycling rates in Canada. Recreational cyclists will enjoy the Meewasin Valley Trail along the South Saskatchewan River, and almost all parts of the city are accessible by bicycle, with lanes and routes marked along some key corridors. Do stay alert, as drivers can be careless.
Driving and Rental Cars
This is a car-oriented city. There is plentiful street parking downtown, and outside the central business district driving may be your most convenient option. The best choice of rental cars is at the airport; there are few rental car offices in the Central Business District or Nutana. If you plan to explore beyond the central neighbourhoods, or to visit nearby destinations such as Pike Lake, Blackstrap, or Batoche, a car makes the trip far easier.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker Airport (YXE) serves domestic, international, and northern communities, with direct flights from a range of Canadian cities as well as some U.S. routes. To reach the city centre from the airport, you have three main options:
- Saskatoon Transit: Route 12 connects the airport to the city.
- Rental car: Pick one up from one of the car rental companies at the airport.
- Taxi: A cab into the city is a straightforward option.
Arriving by Intercity Bus or Car
If you arrive by intercity bus, services such as Rider Express, FlixBus, Diamond North Express, and Creighton Connection connect Saskatoon with other western Canadian cities and nearby Saskatchewan communities. By car, Saskatoon sits on Highway 16 (the Yellowhead Highway), which links to Edmonton and Winnipeg, and Highway 11, which connects to Prince Albert to the north and Regina to the south. A route from Calgary via Alberta Highway 9 and Saskatchewan Highway 7 is also possible, though that highway is not divided.